The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1872-09-20

From the Milwaukee Wisconsin.
Bad Developments Abuut schurz.
Carl Schurz is so busy in ex-
pounding to the nation the corruD-
ton at the White House, and the
nepotism of its occupant. that his
own conscience ought to be exceed
ing clean. This natural supposition
is not, however, borne out BY the
facts. His conduct in Watertown
the city which was the first of his
many carpet bagging residences.
might be sufficient to silence him.
Carl Schurz came to Watertown
in 1855, accompanied by his wife
and several Of his wife's relatives
who were destined to be too conspi-
cious in the community. He bought
eighty-four acres of land outside of
the town for $4,000, paying, how
ever, only $1,000 of the amount
down; and on it attempted to enact
the role of a gentlemen farmer. He
very soon became alderman and SUI
pervisor, and, taking an active part
in politics, was put up as a candi-
date for Lieutenant Governor of this
State in 1857. Two years after he
attempted to get the nomination for
Governor, but failed, and went offip
a huff to Minnesota, leaving Randall
behind to be elected by a majority
larger than that of his ticket.
After speaking in Minnesota at
his usual rates, cash in advance, MIR.
Schurz turned his attention to
stumping for Lincoln, and in Febru-
ary sought q reward as one of the
commissioners to a peace conference
talked of between the var1 )us States.
North and South. In this he failed,
but was more successful when he en-
deaVored to obtain the Spanish mis-
sion with its $4,000 a year. But
even this did not satisfy him: he
ne thirsted for military glory, and
returned to America. But fighting.
any more than farming or diploma
cy, did not suit his peculiar genius,
and after disgraceful failure at
ChancellorVille, May, 1863, he tried
editing the Detroit Post, at the ex-
pense of Zach Chandler, only to
prove an expensive failure. Mis-
souri, next engaged the uneasy Sen
atOrs attention. Editing was here
his occupation, the Westltche Post
this time being the victim. Here he
gained the Office ne at present occu-
pies, taking his seat as United States
Senator March 4, 1869. From this
high position he reviews critically
the conduct of his superiors, mean.
while shutting his eyes to his own.
But his doings at Watertown are not
yet obliterated from the minds OF
his fellow cititizens.
In 1856 Schurz subdivided GER
tain tract ofland known as "Schurz's s
addition to Watertown," and sold
lots in it to certain parties, fraudu-
lently coneealing from them the fact
that his whole tract was subject to
an ncumbrance considerably ex-
ceeding its value when sold under
foreclosure. He had first mortgag-
ed his property for $8,5OO, and then
put a second mortgage on top of this
as security for a debt of $4,000. He
sold lots in his addition, the plat of
which was unrecorded, to George
W. Perry, John Spiegelberg, G..
Hildeman, John Mcdonald and Fer
dinand Mueller, all persons in hum
bic circumstances. Schurz warrant
ed Perry's lot "free and clear from
all membranes whatever" yet nine
months after Perry had to buy re-
lease of the ineumbrance from
Schurz's creditor at a cost of $3.50.
Hildeman in like manner bought 8
lot, supposing he had got clear
title, but had to buy, by Perry's aid,
his releaee from the mortgage. F.
Mueller bought $I5O lot, but, af-
ter putting a house upon it, had to
abandon the whole on account Of the
title. The lot bought by John Nc
Donald for $3.50, on the understand
ing that it was clear of incumbrance,
was embraced in the same foreelos-
ure, and would have been lost to the
oWner-an invalid, with wife and
five children-had notthe neighbors
made up the amount necessary. A
man named Thieleman, who had
bought eight lots of Schurz for ST.
600, lost his property by the same
foreclosure. But the worst case in
a bad list was that of Speigelberg.
| Speigelberg was an ignorant Ger
man, with the largest faith in Schurz,
the gentleman farmer. On the $3.50
lot he bought Of Schurz he put up a
house worth $3.50. The house and
lot were sold out under foreclosure,
and exit Spiegelberg, utterly wiped
out financially, thanks to the talent
of the great Liberal Reformer. The
Chicago and Northwestern railroad
company were also victims to
Schurz to the tune of $4,000.
These revelations are so minute,
circumstancial and well attested that
they stamp Schurz as an extraVa-
| CANT and slip-shod fnancier. No
language can be too strong to con-
demn the conduct by which his poor
and ignorant countrymen were vic
timized by this windy critic, Well
paid himself, he could not do even
Justice to men beneath him, while
he would extract far more than jus
tice from the administrators of the
government. He is a fit colaboreI
of the ssnguine, tetchy and slip-shod,
white-hatted philosopher to whom
| he has joined himself. The devel-
opments of Carl Schurz's Life in Wis
consin prove beyond all doubt his
untrustWorthiness as q practical re-
former in the administration of finan.
cial affairs. The people do not want
profession regarding reform, for that
is nothing but ho-serVice, but they
demand realization.