Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-05-30

IL f1c A'"hoF 81 We WdteT{Olcn HepUOfc0n ::
do not understand why you should have
selected Inc to ''poke fun at on account of
the strange conduct of Earl Newton.
ack ewledge having been badly sold, but
] was certainly not the only one. esti-
mate that at least 200 Democrats in this
city who voted for Mr.. Newton would not
have done so but for the pledge so solemnly
given. Some 246 Democrats refused to be-
lieve that Newton would live up to his
promises, and voted for Mr.. Sleeper-Mr,
Tilden receiving 246 more vo:es than Earl
Newton. In the town Of Ixonia, | am in
formed. Newton would have lost from so to
200, but for the pledge so freely given.
In Aztalan his loss would have been very
heavy, considerable in the town of Water
| town, and more or less in every part of the
| county. The objection to a continuation Of
the Giles regime probably differs with differ
ent individuals. So far as | am concerned
| have ever been an advocate Of "rotation in
Office" do not believe it right to keep
up expensive party machinery for the ben
eft of one man or few men; besides, the
Sherff's office should not be allowed to re.
main in the same hands for considerable
length of time-the Constitution limits it
TO two years. The Office of Sheriff is res
ponsble one, and easily converted to bad
purposes, and that is the probable reason
by the trainers of that instrument limited
the term but was it their intention that the
same individual could be actual Sheriff one
term, virtual Sheriff the next, actual Sheriff
he next, and so on during his natural lie
1t is we'll known that there IS not much
money to be made out of the office il the
Sheriff and his Deputies are green at the
business. An old hand will be able to fur
nish more boarders at the jail than n new
beginner, and the profit for boarding prs-
| Oners, insane persons, ETC., is quite liberal.
The duties, powers and privileges of the
Sheriff are necessarily so varied that it is
next to impossible to construct laws to meet
every individual case, and for this reason,
probably, the term is limited. SO that long
term and much experience might not teach
the incumbent how to rob the tax payer.
and otherwise Cypress the people without
making himself liable to the law The
present regime (you call it ring) of the
Sheriffs office has made itself a terror to
all opponents-Democratic or otherwise
A rebelliouS Democratic member of the
Board of Supervisors, consulting his con-
science instead of the bosses, was instantly
politically decapitated-this has become
rather unpopular lately, because the tax
payers backing such member were rather
fond Of such rebellion. 1t has also been the
province of the reigning dynasty to inter.
fere in the matter of choosing members of
the Board-to dictate as to who should or
should not be elected throughout he coun-
~. The reason for this is too apparent to
necessitate further comment Through the
powers connected with the office they have
sought to control the patronage of the
party in the county, down to the most mi
mute details. so that their tools could be
70 und iE every locality ready to do the
bidding of the masters, and keep down all
independence of action. A vote in caucus or
convention against the will or desire of the
gentlemen ruling the party in the county
has long been considered political hari kari
By using the powers of Sheriff for pur-
poses not recognized by law, they have
maintained their ascendancy against the
opposition of all honest men. When Capt.
Of had secured the nomination for Sheriff
in 1872 it was supposed that the old barna-
Giles would be obliged to let go their hold,
but by persistently opposing him and en-
dangering his election they finally brought
him to terms again On the selection of
Mr. Newton az the candidate, the "stick-
tights again played their hand to the best
advantage thre atening to run independent
or boldly espousing the cause Of the Repub-
lican nominee-if Newton dared to shake
them off. These are matters of history, and
hope will convince the Democrats of the
county that their tavors are not worthily
bestowed.
A perscr in favor with the administration
could secure redress for the lawlessness of
others-a person not so fortunately situated
must quietly submit, or, in addition, bear
the humiliation and expense of defeat be-
fore the courts. A friend OF the regime can
secure partial living by acting as talesmaa
in filing up the Circuit Court Juries
others, equally deserving and competent,
must labor to secure something to eat. As
| previously remarked, the opposition to a
continuation of personal government arises
| iloH iouS NoaoCo, ouu pIOOdulJ ulueGS Ill
each individual case Even were Mr.. Giles
and other members of the dominant few
perfect patrons of all that constitutes 8
good, honest, faithful officer, l cannot
understand that that is good reason
for an indefinite lease of power. The time
will come, and no one can know how soon,
when the people of Jefferson county will
be obliged to dispense with the services of
these gentlemen forever, and l can see no
harm in trying to get their hand in now
| understand very well that to maintain a
perfect harmony in the party, q ter men
should be willing to hold the Offices, and
the balance be equally willing to do the
necessary voting. Of course I cannot tell
what actuated other Democrats in voting
for or against Mr.. Newton; but of one
thing am perfectly satisfied. however, that
be would not have been nominated or
elected but for the strong promises that his
administration would be new deal. AS
usual, of which, Mr.. Editor, you are no
doubt willing to bear testimony, gave the
whole Democratic ticket an earnest, hearty
support, but / am bound to admit that
| would not have voted for Earl Newton for
Sheriff had supposed that was voting for
a continuation of the old state of affairs
AS a result of the publication of Newton s
agreement with the Democracy Of Water