Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-02-26
More Reform Virtue.

olShonoraDle. or very weak mas.
lie either has no backbone or he pro
poses to do unjust and extremely fool
ish things. We will be so charitable
as to presume that he means well, but
is too feeble minded to obey the behests
of the better promptings of his better
nature. Being rgormer he cannot
be designing man, therefore we mete
out to him charity, though not the
charity Of our silence
For two years past the Wise. Cen
trail Railroad Company has been en-
deavoring by every manner of means
to obtain possession of certain tracts
of land hitherto refused because of its
noncompliance with the terms of the
law relative thereto, requiring the con-
struction Of road from Portage CITY
to Stevens Point before such lands
could lawfully pass into its possession.
During Gov Washburn's term certif-
Gates were issued by the Governor to
the company upon one half the lands,
but to this the company objected and
resort was had to the Circuit Court.
From the decision of this Court an APP
peal was made to the Supreme Court,
case made up which is now pending
and could be called up at any time.
Further, the Legislature has been ask
ed for its opinion on the subject and
before that body ILL is now pending
in regard to it.
Notwithstanding these facts plainly
understood by the Governor, De AFRO
gates to himself the authority to act
independent Of both Courts and Lcgis-
lature, and proceeds to issue to the
company certificates, virtually surren-
dering to the company. The fact is,
the railroad company was afraid of the
decision of the Supreme Court, and
therefore it called upon the Governor
to step in before both Court and Leg
islature and at5jUdicate, if We may SO
use this term, in matter pertaining
only to the Courts. Court decision, and
Legislative action must be forestalled
The governor elected by railroad mon
opoly interests must become the tool
he was elected to be, and most faith
fully has he obeyed his masters. The
haste shown in yielding to the demands
Of a powerful monopoly is indecent,
and to say the least sayors of iniquity,
but we won't disparage the Governor,
for is he not a refogmer? The Cover
nor must of course do something to
compensate for the efforts put forth for
his election. The Changers who are
opponents of railroad monopoly must
be very proud Of the horny handed
farmer who has been elevated to the
gubernatorial chair by their votes, al
lied with monopoly" ballots. Lest
suspicion might possibly attach to the
Governor in this transaction the Mil
waukee Ne,os, before the ''iniquitous
business" became widely known comes
to the defense of His Honor, and
brushes away the dust Of suspicion
from off the gubernatorial garments.
A general feeling of Indignation is man
ifest throughout the state against the
Governor, and his Excellency is being
denounced in bitter terms. The Ere
ming Northeastern published at Osh-
kosh brands him
"A traitor" he violates his
pledge, betrays the people, sacrifices
his honor. insults the Legislature, which
he had promised to consult, and the
Supreme Court, where the case was
awaiting an argument.
1t further says
An Indignation meeting is talked of
] y all parties.
The whole Reform ticket is denoun-
ced by the leading men who supported
il last fail.
Great is REFORM. and Gov. Taylor
is its prophet.