The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-10-06
pEMooRATIc CONVENTION.

which met in this city on Tuesday Consd.
ering that there was really very little strife
over any of the nominations, the convention
was quite full, a few of the smaller towns only
being unrepresented. The convention was en-
tirely harmonious and all the nominations,
where more than one candidate was presented,
were, after the first ballot, made unanimous.
The only discussion that took place was eX-
cited by Mr.. Campbell, nominee for county
clerk, who, preliminary to the vote on that
office, stated that as the recent grcenback con
venton had declared for an "absolute divorce
Of the Independent greenback party from the
democratic organization" he hoped this con
vention would take them at their word, and
would not, by nominating their candidates, In
dictate Il desire to show trendliness where all
such approaches had in advance been so cava
| lierly secuted. Col Taylor and others deprc
Gated the exhibition of any such feeling on tie
subject as Mr.. Campbell had manifested The
democrats and grcenbackers, so far as Col. T.
land others were able to understand, were in
complete accord on the greenbaek question:
and there was little doubt that the body Of the
greenback men in the county would cast their
votes where they would do the most good
maugre the decree Of the few broken down,
hair.braned political hacks who had issued
the decree objurgated by Mr.. Campbell. The
convention seemed to share this sensible view,
and when subsequently the name of Mr.. Han
lon one of the greenback nominees, was pre-
scented for school superintendent, the conven-
ton readily accepted the assurance of his
friends that though an honest grecnbacker,
Mr.. Hanlon was also a true democrat, and
certainly would not be deferred from voting
that ticket by the ukase of such body as the
recent grcenback convention.
The convention, as the proceedings show, as
first on the list nominated Samuel w Ray
mond, by reclamation, for reelection to the
office of county treasurer 1t is wel-deserved
compliment to one of the most able, efficient
and faithful officers La Sale county ever had
1t is true, he has already held the office for
two terms, but we believe it is recognized rs a
cardinal principle in all the projects Of the
day for civil service reform, that it is both I'M
wise and wrong to dismiss any officer, espec
Tally when his duties are wholly non-political,
who has shown exceptional capability and
faithfuness The principle applies in all its
strength to Mr. Raymond. The county finances
involve great deal Of close and intricate
figuring and consummatc skill in book-kecp-
ing. An apprenticeship Of two years is hardly
sufficient to give even an accomplished ac-
counant II full run Of the Office, Common
wisdom would therefore dictate that no change
should be made except for some Obvious, over
whelming reason. And all the moro so, be.
cause the Office is not II high salarcd one. Con
sidcrng that bonds for 100000 are required,
and double that amount Of money is often
handled each year, $4,000 is certainly a very
moderate salary, in strife over which by the
politicians the county can afford to take no
risks,
Mr. Raymond has shown not only cvccp-
tional efficiency and faithfulness as treasurer,
but by his thorough acquaintance with the ms
and outs of all the other offices about the
court house. is found by the people generally,
all over the county, such II "handy man to
have about" that even aside from his duties
as treasurer they cannot afford, and would be
very 10th to lose him. 1t is "A fact which many
have often and gratefully recognized, that
hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars are an.
nually saved to administrators, executors and
Others having business about the court house,
by the a1ablc readiness Of Mr.. Raymond to
aid them, where otherwise they might be com
PEELED to fee attorneys
The next nominee was Mr. John G. Camp
bell for county clerk. Mr.. c. has been quite II
prominent man in Strcator for some years and
is pretty well known all over the county rs IA
very intelligent, active and capable business
man. In II very creditablc public spirited
movement in Streater II few years ago to sup,
ply that town with gas works, he is understood
to have vcntured in pretty deeply, in conse-
quencc became involved in pccunary cmbar-
rlssmcnts, with which he is still struggling
and on account of which, among his friends
and neighbors particularly, a good deal of
sympathy is manifested in his behalf He is
a stirring genial, pleasant, popular man, will
poll a strong vote, and make iirstclass clerk
OF Mr. lIanlon, the nominee for school
superintendent we know only that he has had
abundant experience rs a teacher and rs such
has shown great competency and executive
ability, The people of La Sale of all parties
warmly endorse him, both rs II teacher and a
good, public spirited citizen, and will give
him a nearly unanimous vote. We have no
doubt the management of the school affairs of
this county, by his election, will be placed in
very faithful AMI capable hands.
No nomination was made for county Judge
which must be regarded as an endorsement of
Mr.. J. W. Browne, of Earlvillc, for that Office,
who, though a democrat personally prefers To
be a candidate for an Office 50 purely non.
political without any formal party endorse.
l.,