Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1874-10-09
HON. G. =. THOMPSON.
A Sketch of his Past History.

the last issue of his paper, gives his
readers a lengthy and interesting &C
count of what he saw and heard on
his trip. AS the question, "Who is
this Thompson ?" is one which is very
asked in this county, nova
DAYS, we make the following extracts
from the article in question:
The impression among copsidcra-
BILE number Of people that @Charlie"
Thompson is farmer, is incorrect.
He earns his bread and butter in way
which does not require the brow to dis
charge any considerable amount of
sweat, as we have above indicated.
About twelve years ago Mr.. Thompson
abandoned the pillow and sickle. For
several years he had tried agricultural
pursuits, but without much success.
His old farmer neighbors do not speak
of him as an energetic and successful
husbandman; in fact, they admit that
he was not good farmer; and it is
said that he made little or no money
on his farm. When he abandoned the
farm he went to the northern part of
this state and with a gentleman now
residing in Broadhead went into some
lumber speculations which netted quite
a sum of money, and probably laid
the foundation of his present wealth.
POLITICAL HISTORY.
AS before stated, Mr.. Thompson was
one of the original Republicans of this
state, and we believe was a member of
the first Republican convention ever
held. This fact, doubtless, had consid-
cradle influence on his subsequent po-
litical career. Naturally, he likes Eto
be known and to occupy a considera-
BILE share Of public attention. He likes
to be regarded as leader in whatever
he undertakes. Therefore, being an
ambitious man, and one Of the found
ers Of the Republican party, it is not
strange that he has frequently sought
positions of trust and honor at the
hands of his fellow Republicans. That
he has been so unsuccessful is no fault
of his. He has ever stood ready to ac-
cept anything in the shape of Office,
from school trusteeship to o seat in
the United States Senate. He has fire.
quently held village and town Offices,
and has been a member of the county
board ofsupervisors several times. In
1857 he was a member Of the lower
house of our state legislature, and, SO
far as we know, discharged his duties
without creating any special dissatisfac-
tion among his constituents. He was a
candidate for denomination before the
Republican Convention of his Assem-
bly, district in the following year, but
failed to obtain the nomination. A
few days after, the Republican county
convention met, and, Mr.. G. E. Thomp-
son was candidate for the nomination
for State Senator.
We might cite other instances of a
similar character, but these are sufficient
to establish the fact that the, "Reform"
candidate for Congress is an inveterate
office-se eker. We will now pass over
period of several years, and come down
to the
CAMPAIGN OF 1872.
It is we'll known that General Grant
was the almostunanimous choice of the
masses of the Republican party for the
Presidency. There was no thought of
bis denomination among the
Republicans of this section,
and especially those of Green coun-
ty In is known that Mr.. Thompson
was in accord with the Republicans of
his county on the Presidential question.
And because of that fact, he Was eloc-
ted delegate to the county convention
which chose delegates to the state con-
vention, the latter electing representa-
tives to the national Republican con-
vention. The county convention cleo
ted Mr.. Thompson delegate to the
S ate convention, which he attended.
Here, then, we have him in two Republi-
can conventions, and one Republican
caucus in the spring of the year 1872.
From all these political gatherings Mr..
Thompsons Republican associates I'm
derstood and believed that he was
true Republican. There was noremote
nor indirect intimation from him to the
contrary until after the adjournment of
the state convention. 1t then became
known that he was dissatisfied with the
administration. Subsequently it be-
came well known in Green county that
Mr.. Thompson ardently wished to be
one of the delegates to the national Re
publican convention, Mr.. Ludlow
was chosen, and doubtless this added
envy to disappointment.
Mr. Thompson joined the Liberals
aud fought for Greeley. Like all dis
appointed sore-headed Republicans, he
became bitter opponant of the par
ty, and spared no effort 10 accomplish
its defeat. Last fall he beca me ram
pant "Reformer," and is now reaping
his reward.
When men attempt to influence their
fellows the arguments they use may be
taken as a reliable indication of the
motives that influence their own &C.
tons. If that be true, Charles f.
Thompson abandoned the Republican
party because he thought the s'signs of
he times" indicated that he Liberal
party would supercede it. He argued
with more than one Of his former polit-
ical friends on that presumption, and
ss;d RI sono If than in affact RI Of tba