The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1881-03-24
WHAT SHALL WE Do ABOUT TT

newspaper with fixed political views TO
cTiticise the acts of alleged representa-
ti7es Of the party whose interests it has
always cherished. That party discipline
necessary 10 harmony Of action in national
and state matters, has been SO grossly
abused in local mates that it has become
revolving to men of intelligence, and an
escape from the rule of an ignorant
oligarchy has long been desired. There
has been sort of foolish tradition that
the acts of a convention letters indepen-
dence of acton on election day and that
there is no escape from criminal blunders
Of party representatives. The county
has suffered grievously in the past from
the administration OF inefficient officers
whose claims rested solely on that servile
party fealty which substituted blind
obedience to caucus dictation for the ex-
ercise Of intelligent discrimination. The
officers chosen in pursuance Of this policy
were reproach to the party and an
affection to the people. When reason is
held in subsection by devotion to caucus
edicts there is no guaranty that party
will study the best interests of the peo-
pie. Qualification is not the criterion in
conventions; success rests on the work
done by, and the opportunities of candi-
dates. Public opinion III relation 20 the
fitness of candidates is no longer nodded
by intelligent people. Wire pulling aud
superior management determine the
choice of the party, and all persons Of
that party faith are expected to give III
their adherence 10 the policy promulgated
by such means. Principle becomes ser
Witty and devotion a badge Of disgrace.
The nomination OF John p. Wickert
for an office whose duties are simply
clerical might not be deserving of cen
sure. Although when man assumes
the control of the party Of the county as
he does, and boldly declares that he will
see to it that certain men cannot be nom
mated by the party at whose hands he
has received many favors, it is question
whether u the interests of that party he
should not be RELOCATED to private life.
No man should be so completely the
autocrat of party as 70 be able TO sue
cessfully dictate who shall and shall not
be its nominees. The people should not
transfer the power which should be in
alieuable, to any one man, of saying who
shall and shall not be their public SER
wants. The right to choose officers vests
il the people ard no arrogant boss should
attempt to deprive them of it. There is
no good reason why Carl II. Schmidt,
an adept and believer in caucus pack
ing, wire pulling and shrewd manip-
ulaLion, should, unquestioned, usurp
the prerogatiye of the people. The in
diligence OF every man should revolt at
being the subjects OF such men. We do
not argue against I e means employed by
MIR. WickeTt TO secure his own nOmina-
ton but his settled purpose if he sue
oeeds this time, TO control al nominations
for all county Offices in future while he
remains IN power. No mau can oppose
the sweet Will of Carl IT, Schmidt with
out suffering for it, if he has any politi-
cal aspirations. Men must stand with
uncovered heads before this self appoint
ed political sovereign and plead for his
support or liberation before daring to
appeal to The people. He is the boss,
backed by trusty and experienced lieu
tenants, who has brought the party to
the verge of ruin in this county.
There is no position of official trust in
the county requiring ability of SO high
an order as that of county judge. There
are legal questions in cases coming BE-
fore the county court requiring as full
and accurate knowledge of legal prin-
ciples as is necessary III Judge of cir
cult court. The hit or miss policy Of
man entirely devoid of legal knowledge,
without that understanding fortified by
habits of study necessary to compre-
hension of legal arguments and decisions,
is a risk, which the property holders of
the county cannot afford to take. There
are men not lawyers who have judicial
mind and whose legal knowledge is by
no means uncomfortable. But John ?.
Wickert is not one of these. There is
fully as much improperly in making him
county Judge as there would be in placing
him on the bench as Judge of a circuit.
1t is a position to which his conscious
unftness should teach him not to aspire.
II he is not aware that he lacks the first
qualification for county judge then he
is gifted with a degree Of assurance mag
nifcent for its impotence.
The position of county judge is much
more important to the people than circuit
Judge. All the property in the county
passes through the probate court every
twenty years. There is more money
involved in the cases which come before
the county court in one year than in all
the cases tried in the circuit court
for this county in ten years.
Are we not taking fearful responsibility
In placing man in judicial position
who has no fitness either natural or &C
quired, who was never of studious habits
ana who is unable 10 weigh arguments
presented HIM by attorneys Is it not
travesty upon Justice to place such man
in position equal IN digpity with that
Of circuit judge and far more closely
identified with individual interests
Where are such absurdities going TO end
if our conventions keep on in this degen
crate course2
If the German people Of Manitowoc
county chose to have one of their nation
atty as county judge, they bad excellent
material from which TO choose: men who