Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-11-19

ThE LAST Milwaukee journal of
ton.~.rrr contains an article with this
csptian: Lesson q Politicians. ="
Tie article, wc should say, was writ
Ten hy Z. 3. Northrup. formerly eI;t-
81 Of the Stevens Point .JoruaL Tie
writer attempts to explain how Mr..
McDilI came 70 be beaten in the Sth
District, (if beaten he be,) aud as
sumes that if NOT beaten he has at
least = forever lost his currency as a
political leader
The writer attributes the defeat, or at
least the loss Of political prestige. to
the fact that at a competitive examin-
alton Of applicants for the position of
cadet to West Point, nephew of Con
gresham McDll bore off the honors,
and received such appointment. We
remember very we'll the circumstances
in connection with that examination
The REPORTER was not slow in con
demning the action of Dr.. McDill in
allowing his nephew to 90 before the
examining board as an aspirant for the
position. realizing the fact that the cry
Of nepotism would be raised against
him were his nephew successful, and If
unsuccessful, that an impression of
eonnivance on his part would attach to
the proceedings, which could not east
iy be explained away.
Though matters looked dark and ru
mors were rife, that a spirit of favor
itism would control the board in its &C
ton :, subsequent developments have
clearly proved to our mind that the ac-
ton Of the board was just and honora-
bic.
The writer Of the article in question
claims that the action of Dr. McDill in
this matter has had much to do with
the falling off of the vote in the Sth
District. We do not SO believe. We
have not heard it mentioned during
the canvass, and we believe it had moth
inr to do with the result OF the vote.
Mr. Northrup. who was editor of the
Journal at the time of the examina-
= It is claimed in the article, was
threatened " BY Dr. McDill.-The
writer claims that Mr. McDill threat
ened to starve him out because of
his opposition. and that six weeks
thereafter he was obliged to sell his
paper at a sacrifice. 1t is to correct
this statement that we write this arti-
Gle. 1t is a matter Of public nOtoriety
that Mr.. Northrup was determined to
"Greeleyize. Negotiations were
pending and it was publicly rcporte
that he was to receive S1,100 as the
price Of his apostacy. To save the
Journal to the Republican cause, prom
inent republicans, already owners OF
stock in the paper. managed 70 secure
controlling interest in the paper, with
Mr. Connery at its head, aud MIR. \.
was Obliged to walk straight" or sell,
lie, after elaboration, raised the
Grant flag, but his habits were such
that parties interested in the success OF
the paper, were obliged to Gust him
from his position as editor, and he
stepped down and out, but moi
from any action of DR.. McDill what
ever. These are the facts as we un
derstand them, and as they are very
generally understood by the public
We are sorry to see SO unjust and un
truthful an article in 50 reliable pa
per as the Journal Of Commerce.
II not written by Mr. Northrup. i
IS evidently the production of one whc
has been misinformed, ana not at al
eognizant of the facts of the case.