Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-11-12
Mr. Bakers Plain Statements.

words to divert their attention from
the shameful condition of things that
are only too apparent to even the cas-
ual observer, in connection with the Of
fee over which he has presided for the
past two years, and which. before his
election, was under the immediate SUI
peryisIon Of Mr. J.. P Powers Mr.
Bakers article is notable for two things;
It's sauve, poultice-like gentleness, and
its righteousness. He addresses it
. To Tie Good People Of Hood Com
y :" He begins By appealing to their
sympathies, as all rogues are wont to
do, and attempts to make such show
ing Of persecution, BY the Opposition"
as will excite sympathy and thus create
if possible, public sentiment that shall
enveIop him in a cloak Of charity.
We do not propose to discuss the
charges brought against Mr.. Baker
1t is enough that damning accusations
are made, not by one man, but BY
score of men who are knowing to facts
that place Mr. B. in none other than
a most unenviable light before all right
minded men, and at the proper time he
may be assured they will be substan
tiated by incontroTertible proofs
Mr. Baker levels all his artillery
against the editor of the REPORTER,
and occasionally discharges a javelin in
the form of inyinuation or innuendo,
which fails even to wound, though in
tended to mangle, poison and tester
with its surcharged virus.
After Mr.. Baker has ensconced him
self behind ayowals of innocence, as
brazen as Inscriptions, he says:
All of these charges were brought
against me just upon the eve of cleo
ton. giving me no chance to reply, or
prove them false And upon the
morning of election a party styling
himself the Taxpayers County Com
mittee, " but who would be better
known as the midnight assassin or
thug sent broadcast throughout the
county, the villianous offspring of ha-
tired and malice, and claimed that he
could prone the charges made. IF the
!" Tax payers County Committee :"
could answer to suit for SANDER there
would be an opportunity for such proof
being heard. As it is | shall request
the County Boord of Supervisors to
appoint special committee to investi-
gate the affairs Of the County Clerk
office IN relation to the charges that
have been made. and those who have
made them will then have an opportun-
ity to bring their proof.
It is plat that Mr. B. alludes to a
certain circular showing up the corrup-
ton Of the Clerk 5 Office, and which
was distributed among the voters of the
county just prior to the election. That
the editor of the REPORTER is the
party denominated rs 9 midnight
assassin or thug is evident Now
for the enlightenment Of Mr. B. we!will
state thst the circular in question was
not written by the editor Of the Re-
PORTER, neither has he read it to this
day, and has only general knowledge
of its subject matter; a statement we
make not to dodge any responsibility,
for re are ready to stand as the author,
and answer to any penalty an impartial
jury may adjudge for libel or SANDER,
if we are correctly informed as to the
charges made therein
Mr., Baker further says that he has
had no opportunity to reply to the at
tacks made upon him, alleging that
they were made :" upon the eve of cleo
tion, etc, etc Mr. Baker knows
that he utters an untruth that the ac-
eusations have been open and public
and that he could have replied to them
through the columns of the Tribune.
That he has not done so, is tacit ac-
acknowledgements Of guilt a display of
cowardicc that finds its counterpart in
the damning and cowarlly role enacted
BY himself as the leading genius of the
Canyassins Board last Tuesday
Mr. Baker closes his article to the
"good people" with a fattering tes-
timonial to lIr. 7. J. Woods fair, hon
est and gentlemanly bearing toward
him during the canvass, a compliment
we can attest is merited and in nowise
overstated. II it we're true courtesy
that prompted Mr.. Baker in the utter
ance of 50 deserved compliment, rath-
er than desire to play pretty be
fore the " good people. !" we should en-
terrain higher regard for the author,
whose cunning, as we believe, is only
equaled BY his impudence. We differ
from Mr. Baker in these matters Of
compliments, as well as in general
statements Of facts, in this that we
speak ont So nIain IF ua have anv+b;y,.