Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1876-09-06
LETTER IRoY .EoN. q. (. xAoooN.

tention. / have neither had time
nor opportunity to travel the Dis
trict or examine thoroughly the
political field.
The delegates chosen to the Min
eral Point Convention, SO far as
known to me, are my personal
friends, and l cannot believe they
have given pledges to oppose the
fair usages OF the party, or to make
the Convention other than proper
expression of the party's wishes.
The Convention ought to be DELHI
erative Council, filled with thoughtful
men, incapable of injustice to any
co-worker or portion of the District,
and | trust its deliberations will so
prove. 1t is not the fear of defeat in
the Convention or elsewhere, that
prompts my decision but | am APP
prised that my nomination cannot be
secured withouta struggle, and with
out personal importantly to which |
am unwilling.
Since the beginning of my term, |
have, to the exclusion of other bust
ness, devoted myself unweariedly to
official duties, doing my best to
deserve the confidence of good men.
The interests of this District | have
cared for, with what ever ability
and energy could command. The
business Of no constituent, proper
for me to attend to officially before
the Departments at Washington, has
been neglected. No citizens letter
that has been received, whether
from Democrat or Republican, has
remained unanswered. Those two
great measures, powerfully affecting
this district first, the Wisconsin
River Improvement second, the
defeat OF the new tariff measure,
whereby the tariff on lead, zinc,
hax-soed aud kindred productions
was proposed to be abolished, which
measure If enacted, would have
struck heavy blow at our miners
and farmers, severely gripping those
industries in our District these two
important subjects have commanded
my attention and utmost service.
Notwithstanding the House is over
whelmingly Democratic, yet ably
assisted we obtained, after long
struggle, an appropriation OF $40,
900 for the improvement, sum
fully as great IA any reasonable
mind could expect; while the new
tariff measure, opposed in part by
numerous remonstrances from all
parts Of our District, now sleeps q
deathly sleep in Committee. Besides
these, other minor measures, more
or less affecting our District, have
engrosscd attention.
Republicans Congress was de-
signed by tho founders Of the Con-
stitu,ion to be pre-eminently a bust
ness body--a solemn council where
the vast legislative interest OF this
nation should he considered and
cry.tallyiized into great and wise
laws-n0t an arena where parti2an.
ship should indu &c in combats for
selfish ends. You sent me to Con-
gress to attend faithfully to the nee
cessary legislation and business Of
our District; to act under the strong
obligations OF manhood and oath, ~
\ legislator and patriot, and not "a
a mere wrangler or mere parti1an.
Although it Is true, that member
OF Congress, who Is OF the party in
minority, has difficulties to encoun-
ter 10y reason Of that very minority
and. although it is true, that u mem
Der Of Congress can, a. a rule.
achieve, during a second
term, from tour 10 ten times ~ much
for his distric, and country as is
possible during his first term. vet.
while | have made no political
speeches in Congress, hut attended
he important sittings II the House,
Al 90 the extent OF my ability.
have worked for the welfare of my
District aud country,-be the pres
eut verdict What it may, still | have
followed duty, steadily, aud future
ju 3gmeut wilIpronounce me right.
| decline to have NV name pre-
scented To the Convention. II pre-