Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-09-18
Those Libels. "MOtion's Lest!'

j UDGE haden has commenced civil
and criminal prosecutions against the
publishers of this paper, and also
against the publisher of the Tribune,
Mr.. Brundage, because of some of the
things said about him a few weeks
since. This is as it should be. We
have said nothing about him that he
complains of, but truth, and we sup.
pose that is why he complains. 1t is
plain that he is endeavoring TO create
a tide of sympathy which shall float
him into the haven of responsibility.
and to this end he has commenced the
prosecutions mentioned. We rejoice
that the business is now in shape to be
brought before the courts for investi-
cation. We hope We may not be dis
appointed He is hereby notified
again that we dare him to give US an
opportunity to prove to a Jury all We
have said of him, personally and Of
fcially. We had much rather do so
at his expense than at the cost of the
county. But we have no hope of get
ting an opportunity to do so at all,
while his criminal proceedings will of
course cost the taxpayers as much as
if they had been commenced in good
faith. He commenced them simply to
get an opportunity to swagger and
strut little for present effect. Any
further proceedings mmenced by
him will be for the same purpose
He commenced an action against us
for libel considerably over year ago
He has been foundering around the
court ever since, in search of Judge
or Jury-frst one and then the other
who are MT prejudiced against him,
so that he can get "fair trial."
And he has not found them yet He
docs not want to find them. He does
not aoant to try that case, nor any
other involving an investigation of his
conduct before any Court or Jury
not because he would be ashamed of
an exposure, but because those who
really disbelieve the truth of what has
been said about him would thereby be
undeceived, and the JUDGE, and his
little knot of retained liars would have
no capital with which to continue their
business. We repeat, that we shall at
all times be glad to meet the J JUDGE,
in court, and settle there any little
grievances Of which he may complain,
and, inasmuch as he is actuated in his
prosecutions, by private malice and is
seeking to punish others only for re-
venge, be ought tcay tn e expense
if he fails, instead Of showing them off
upon the public. But if he will only
prosecute US vigi!antly. and get his
cases to trial speedily as possible, SO
far as we are personally concerned we
will cheerfully pay our share of the
expense which his prosecution shall
cost the county.
Perhaps we owe an apology to our
readers. The REPORTER has men
toned the thing named haden quite
often in the past The causes which
induced are it yell understood. W.
have mentioned it as we would any
noisome smell which threatened the
public comfort or health, so that pub
lie attention might be directed to the
cause, and if dangerous, avoid it. In
this way pig-styes have become noted.
But after the public have become
thoroughly advised as to them, it
doubtless is better taste to refer to
them less often. People are apt to
think they ale reminded Of them often
enough by the wind. We shall prob
ably act on that idea hereafter.