Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-12-04
and influential republicans in Wis

elected to the senate, whom it is
great injustice to rank as sdisre-
putable;" and whom it illv becomes
the editor of the Milwaukee Sentinel
to denounce as such. If he sup
poses that he is making friends for
his own candidate by foul abuse
and ISLANDERS of other republicans
he is mistaken; and if Mr.. Carpen-
ter is wise he will Escall off his dogs"
and see that the canvass in his behalf
is henceforth conducted with some
degree of responsibility and fairness.
Referring to this subject, and in
reply to the extract above quoted,
the Madison Journal pertinently
says:
The Sentinel then refers to Mr.. Keves
claiming that he has been dismissed by
The Republican party from its service
and says: The lobbying, trading and
VI NegtS lau changed the
Republican majority of 20, O0O to a Demo
attic majority OF $4,000, had led the
party away from all its landmarks of
principle and patriotism, and obscured all
hope for the future under bis manage
ment. For these reasons be was disposed
IRON the Craftsmanship of the party in
this State"
In the first place, Mr.. Reyes was never
dismissed from the services of his party. nor
has he ever ceased to be an active and eff
clent worker for its ascendancy What
ever else may be SAID of Mr.. Keyes, he can
not be truthiulIy accused of being untrue to
the Republican party, Or inefficient in pro-
noting its interests.
The change of the Republican party. re-
terred TO, occurred in 1873 when Mr. Tav-
lor was elected Governor. THIS deteatwas
unlocked for by those who triumphed, quite
as much as by those who suffered defeat;
and Mr.. Reyes was no more responsible
for this result, than was the man in the
moon Nor was he depo8ed from the chair
manShlp of the State Central Committee for
this reason, or for any other reason. He
was never depOSed at ALL In 1873. the
Democratic State ticket was elected and
Tue Assembly contained majority of the
members OF The same party. In 1874, an
der Mr.. Reyes craftsmanship, both branches
OF the Legislature were reclaimed by the
Republicans, and they elected six members
OF Congress; aud in 1875, the Republicans
sill helt the Legislature and elected their
candidate for Governor. Then came on tn
great Presidential campaign of I876~-a
campaign fought with more vigor than any
previous one had eve~ been conducted: Mr.
Reyes was still the Chairman of the Repub
ilcsu State Central Committee, and manag-
ed the cemgaign, which resulted IN the com
plete triumph of The Republican party in
all the departments. National and State.
Thus had the Republican party completely
recovered from its unexpected defeat in
1873, and stood firm in the ascendaucy ia
the State. 1t mast not be forgotten that
this recovery or power in the State took
place under the Charmauship of Mr. Keyes
VINO put an ability and an energy into the
work of the campaigns worthy of ali COM
mendaton.
Then came the State Convention of 1877
and, in accordance with his oacn desire es
pectdtty, and in obedience to the Civil Ser
vice order No. incidentally, Mr.. Keyes CD
Sohuety and mequl0ocaliy refused to be con
tnued as Chairman # the Republican State
Central Committee, and another man was
appointed to that laborious and responsible
position, which had been filed so ably and
efficiently by Mr.. Keyes tor the eight pre-
Nious years.
We give this brief historical sketch Of
the party action, simply to show the will
ful misrepresentation of the Sentinel, in
regard OF the position of Mr. Reyes. We
believe In giving every man credit for the
good things be does; ard in being reason
ably charitable, in rcmarking upon acts
with which we do not agree If we can
not oppose man for o position without
resortlng to absolute falsehood, in max ing
charges against him, we will cease oppo-
sition.