Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1877-08-16
Gubernatorial Candidates.

The PRONUNCIATION OF the onclaI
call for the republican state conven-
ton has fairly inaugurated the poll
tical campaign, and the presentation
of candidates is taking place. At enc
time the names of Gov. Ludington
and Hon. William e. Smith were
about the only ones mentioned in
connection with the gubernatorlal
nomination. Gov. Il. having taken
an early opportunity to decline rec
election, Mr.. Smith was left alone
prominently in the field. Mr.. s. was
formerly banker at Fox Lake, but
for several years past he has been
largely engaged as wholesale gro
cery merchant in Milwaukee. For
four years he was state treasurer; he
has also been identified with public
affairs of the state in other capacities,
having been a member of the assem-
bly, and of the senate for several
years, and was speaker of the assem-
bly in 1871. In the fall of the same
year he was presented for the office
of governor, by his friends, but he
was defeated by Hon. &C. Washburn,
owing to a peculiar combination in
our state politics, which probably
thwarted the popular will at that
time. In that memorable contest
Columbia county was "solid" in the
column of "Smith men," Mr.. S. has
lived upon the borders of our county
for many years, and he was almost
as we'll and favorably known in Col
umbia county as be was in Dodge.
Our people entertain the same cor
dial feeling for him now that they
did then, and he would command the
hearty support of the party if the
nomination should fall upon him. 1t
would be too much to say at this
time that Columbia county will sup
port him again for governor, in the
next convention. Doubtless his NOM
nation would be entirely satisfactory
but the delegates from this county
will go to the convention prepared
to yield every personal preference
for the general good. If it shall APP
pear that some other man will more
certainly lead the republican party
to victory than Mr.. Smith, they will
accept him cheerfully and with alac-
rity They will only ask that the
candidate be an able and trusted ex-
ponent of Wisconsin Renublicsnism.
While Mr.. Smiths nomination now
appears probable, it is by no means
certain. Other gentlemen have been
brought forward, and some of them
will command strong support in
the convention if they make con-
test.
Hon. PhiIetus Sawyer has been
named, and if he had consented it
is doubtful. if be would not have led
from the very start but we are as
sured that he declines with such
emphasis as to forbid the further
use of his name.
Hon J. NJ. Bingham, of Chippewa
Falls, has been mentioned. and q
host of friends appeared as bis sup
porters at the very outset. h
would make an acceptable candi-
date.
Hon. j. B. Cassoday, of James,
vile, the late speaker of the assem-
bly,, was presented as q candidate
By the Fond du Lac Commonwealth
and other papsra, but he, too, per-
emptorily declines.
The Wood County Reporter brings
ont Hon. Thomas B. Scott and urges
his nomination in foreible article.
Senator Scott would s.clean up, the
Wisconsin River Valley with great
unanimity. He would be strong
candidate and would make good
governor.
The Sheboygan Herald presents