The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1877-06-28
Ed. BORCHERDT, Editor & Publisher.
THURSDAY, JUNE %, 1877.
THE INTERNATIONAL NOMINA-
TION.

mated for governor on the Republican
ticket is beginning to receive that very
general attention in the Republican
party which its importance both to the
state and the party demands. If the
question be discussed with candor and
fairness it can not be discussedtoo much.
Partiesoften make mistakes in the compo-
sition of their tickets simply because the
merits of the various persons presented
for consideration are either not canvssed
at all, or a spirit of unqualified adula-
ton or abuse, as personal interest or
bias may dictate. Men who aspire to
office should expect to be discussed, and
it ought not to disturb their equanimity
or awaken their animosity if the criti-
cism is not altogether favorable, provid-
ed it be honest. There is no man so
other man may not excel him in some
important particular; and when men
come up for nominations for Office, the
only way for correct estimate to be
formed as to their respective qualifca-
lions and availability is to compare
them. Were more of this done in a
spirit of fairness and with plainness of
speech, prior to the meeting of caucuses
and conventions, and were there less
manipulation of the machinery for choos-
ing delegates and expressing their
choice, their would be q marked i'm
provement in the character of party
nominations, and, consequently, in that
of our official servants. This is truth
which no doubt every one will admit,
and it may seem wholly gratuitous
matter to set 1t forth; but important
truths can scarcely be too frequently or
too plainly stated, especially where
there is danger of their being lost sight
of.
Thus far but two persons have re-
ceived anything like general mention in
connection with the Republican nomi-
nation for governor, namely, Gov. Lud-
ington and VIM. E. Smith; and as is
usually the case, the friends Of each ex-
press confidence in the success of their
man. But it Is very difficult to predict
with any degree of confidence who will
be the choice of convention before the
delegates to compose it are chosen
and after they are named it is not always
easy to state what viii be done by them
in their collective capacity.
hoe cd
the affairs of his office in straightfor-
ward business-like way, and should he
be reelected there is no question that
his second administration would be as
commendable as his first has been; but
it does not follow that his denomination
would be wise act. Conceding all that
his most ardent friends claim for his
administration, there are many other
men in the party who would administer
the Office equally well-no one can dis
pute this. The question of the Gov
errors denomination then becomes
principally one Of policy, presenting
itself in this shape: Are there not
others who would poll larger vote
From a somewhat careful and extended
examination of the expressions upon the
matter, we are compelled to answer this
question most decidedly in the affirma-
tive. Generally speaking an official
must be extremely popular to poll as
full vote for reelection as when first
running. All officials, especially those
whose duties are more distinctively exc
cutiye, are liable in the discharge of
their duties to come in conflict with the
interests or predjudices of individuals
and classes, and of course this is an ele-
ment of weakness in a campaign for re-
election. Besides a new man, If he be
one of recognized ability and character,
has the advantage of satisfying the de-
sire for novelty which is SO prominent
feature in the character of the average
voter.
It is fact which should not be lost
sight of by the Republicans in canvass
ing this subject that Gov. Huntington is
not popular with a considerable number
of the Republican party, and that if he
be re-nominated there is danger that he
may lose the votes of not few who
would vote for almost any other Repub-
lican nominee. 1t is not necessary now
to discuss the reason for this we are
speaking Only of the situation as it is.
OF the truth of what we have stated any
one can satisfy himself who will take the
pains to inquire among leading Repub-
leans of the various shads of opinion.
We are fully convinced that he is not
the strongest man that can be nominat-
ed, and, therefore, his denomination
seems unwise, because the party is not
so strong in votes that it can afford to
throw any away.
But say his friends: s.It has been Gus
.tomary to renominate for at least a second
term. and it is unjust to make an excep-
ton against him. As an Office is some
thing upon which no man can Justly be
said to have any ''claim," it is no injus-
tice to an official for his party to refuse
to renominate him if it be convinced
that its prospects of success will be en-
HANGED thereby. The man is made for
the office, and not the Office for the man.
1t is said by some that Gov. Luding-
ton has the party leaders in his favor.
and his denomination is therefore GER
tain, and opposition thereto is worse than
useless. Ii it be true that the party
leaders intend to force his denomination,
it is imperative upon the party to defeat
it. The party has had enough of manip-