Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1881-01-06
The SenatOrShip.

The SenatOrship.
The Senatorial question seems to have
resolved itself into the form, Whom do
you prefer, Reyes or Sawyer? The
question is one of considerable interest
to the people of the State, and discus
sion is rife as to the outlook. The Of
flee to be filed is one of the highest
within the gift of the people There
are but two recognized candidates for
the position One of them, Mr.. Saw
yer, is gentleman 20 years of age but
still possessing some of the vital powers
of his prime, and has served five terms
in Congress. His business is that of
lumberman, besides being interested in
some railroads. His wealth, which is
large, consists in railroad shares and
lumber interests. He is, or has been
recognized, at least, as a good business
man, though he has made no special
mark in Congress in connection with
any great public measure.
Mr.. Reyes is 50 well and favorably
known to every citizen of Wisconsin
who is interested in her public men, that
we need not here recur to any historical
facts, save in relation to his candidature
He has been for number of years part
of the Republican party, and has gained
national reputation as splendid and
skillful organizer. His long service as
Chairman of the Republican State Com
mittee, not only proved his worth to the
party and gave him thorough knowl-
edge of the wants and needs of the
State, but, unfortunately for him, his
unequivocal, bold and outspoken course
which he was obliged to take as leader
of great party has made him bitter
enemies. Besides, his position at times
made him largely the arbiter between
rival candidates and this created ami
mosities which at this time crop out to the
surface. 1t is due to Mr.. Keyes to say
in this connection that he has done
more than any man in the State toward
cementing and maintaining the Repub-
lican organization-this, by virtue of
his long service and vigorous methods
of leadership. He has never dallied
with specious principles to benefit his
party. and has always striven to main
tain the party organization intact upon
sound principles of government.
His qualifications as Senator are, we
believe, of the best. His long residence
in the State and acquaintance with the
institutions, and the needs, and the peo-
pie of the State; his unequivocal course
as Republican at all tim his energy
and ability as legislator, ms range of
knowledge upon the affairs of the coun-
try and the ISSUES OF the day, added to
a thorough education and natural ac-
cOmplishments of manner. fit him well
for the honorable body in which his
friends desire to place him.
On the other hand we have no words
of structure or criticism against the
career of Mr. Sawyer, nor can we doubt
his ability or republicanism; but having
devoted his life to the accumulation of
and through it became pub
lie man, it is reasonable to suppose that
he will devote his attention largely to
class Legislation and that he will follow
the habits of a lifetime in furthering
private interests, which as a Senator,
would probably be largely at the sacri-
flee of public interests. His age is
against him in this contest, and though
his lack of education or natural ac-
complishments may have had no effect
on his standing in the House, composed
as it is of such large body of repre-
sentatives of business, railroads, &c;
still, in the Senate, culture and intellec-
ual ability are required to give MEM
Der of that body fair recognition. A
Senator having nothing else but bust
ness qualifications can hardly hope to
be a peer of his fellow colleagues, nor
become an efficient member of that
body.
We look upon Mr.. Keyes in this re-
spect, and in respect of his integrity and
vigorous life, as deservedly and well
qualified for this high station. He is
now in the prime of life, and if his
strong, valiant record of the past be
any augury of his future. then he would
make worthy Senator.
The press OF this State speak with
unanimity upon this subject, as expo
nents of popular opinion, that is not to
be sighted. Out of 112 papers in the
State over 20 have declared for Mr..
Reyes, including every newspaper in
this district with possible exception of
one.