Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-03-29
The Straights in Council.


There was a slight outpouring OF the
straight wing Of the Dem ocracy, of the town
together with fair sprinkling Of Union
League men, at Lower Turner Hall last
Monday evening. The word s'Stroights'
applied to the crowd would appear to be
no mlsnomer since it wasin very 'strat-
ened' circumstances. Charles Beckmann
presided. The first business was the cleo
ton of recording secretary, Dr.. Albert
Solliday being chosen to fill the position.
Mr.. Charles Gardner threw aside his mod .
esty for the time being, and ventured to say
few words. His speech was concliatory
in tone and against war and boodshed /:
he would not hurt even the hair on the
head of Republican, and was so magnan-
imous in feeling towards the all men
AS to favor division of the offices with ev-
erybody in the coming Charter election, the
coored troops having during the year past
fought so nobly! In fact, Mr.. Gardner
took so much water that he actually dove
into the affections of his former enemies.
For one of the originators of straight
bundle of Inconsistencies from beginning to
end. After repeated calls Mr. G. W. Grit.
fifth, secretary Of the Union League, az
peared on he rostrum as the successor of
Mr.. Gardner, and he rallied around the fla g
with great power and eloquence for a plump
half hour. To be sure his remarks were
somewhat desultory and desolatc of the very
commonest kind of sense; but these things
could be overlooked when the great secre-
tary stood erect, braved the storm and defed
the power that lay hidden in that marrow
gauge ticket of last spring. Here and
there through his philippe the names of
Brook, Moak. Werlich, Baum. Johnson,
Cole and other small fry citizens were
mentioned and received compliments from
the honorable secretary. When he closed,
great relief was being felt by the audi
tors when, 10 and behold, who should
be called next but Mr.. Philip Dougherty,
the former Marshal of the Union Leaguel
The burden of his eoquence was against
intimation, as if any body of men could be
inundated. who would sit quietly by and
listen to him and the secretary. Mr.. Joseph
Lindon was the next speaker, an6 he spoke
very mildly about the success Of the demo-
cracy in the elections for all time to come,
but we could not see that he committed
himself in favor of any particular ticket at
the city election. Visions Of the success of
the League If the people opposed to them
were divided seemed to haunt the speaker
and he sat down apparently very much dis
couraged. Mr. Thomas Baxter brought up
next and spoke from a strict party stand
point differing from some Of his friends
to the proprety Of placing any Republicans
in Office the democrats having been so cuff
fed about and abused by them in the past
and likely to be in the future. Altogether
Mr.. Baxter drew deplorable, and pitiable
picture of the democrats of Watertown,
and did not seem to .hlnk there was much
for them unless they took the
bull by the horos as they were evidently
doing in getting up a fusion with the Union
League. Mr.. Baxter gracefully retired, and
Chief Justice Kube was loudly called for
but Mr.. Gardner choked off furthe debat
by moving an adjournment, which prevail
ed, and the audience gradually leaked out
of the hall.
We believe the sstraights" make their
nominations to-day, "wednesday and a
grand ratification meeting will be held
evening at Lower Turner Hall.