Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1882-07-05
THE CONGRESSIONAL QUESTION
IN THE FIRST DISTRICT.

1t has been frequently announced by the
papers outside of Jefferson County that
! Congressman Caswell was not a candi-
date, but upon what authority they based
this statement did not appear, as Mr. Cas-
we'll had not written word on the sub
iect one way or another, and his home
papers have not printed a line that would
lead anyone to infer that he would de-
cline a denomination thus giving Mr..
Williams an open field III the congress
sional race
The appoftionment of last winter un-
fortunately placed Mr. Caswel and Mr..
Williams in the same district. 1t was an
fortunate, because it antagoailed the IN
terests of two friends, as both Of them
would doubtless esteem it an nou0r to be
returned to Congress. But Jefferson
county, the home of Mr. CasWell, being
put in the First district with Mr., Will
iiams, gave the latter the advantage as it
gave him the virtual control of four cOun-
ties to Mr. Caswell's one. This seemed
to be the view of the situation taken gen
orally throughout the district, except
probably in Jefferson county from which
there came no intimatiOn as to what
course Mr.. Caswell would take. Fully
approaching the embarrassing condition
in which Mr. Caswell is placed, the Ga
zette very timely decided to take no adj
vantage of his unpleasant situation by re
firing him from the canvass without
authority. In Justice to Mr.. Caswell, and
that the Republicans of the First Dis
trict might no longer be kept in the dark
as to the purpose OF that gentleman, the
editor of the Gazette wrote to him for in
formation asking whether he would be
candidate or not, and the following am
swer was returned:
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,,
Washington, d. c., June - 1881.
n. SMITH, Esq, JGaesuijie. My DEAR
SRI have received yours of the 10Th
inst, expressing wish to know whether
shall be candidate Tor the next Con-
gress You quite surprise me in making
this inquiry. Judging from the papers
in your city of late, | did not suppose
that was 40 open question with you.
Alter a consultation with Mr.. Williams
some time ago, understood, an armistice
should prevail until the close OF this ses-
sion that we might better ascertain the
wishes of the people III the new district.
! had but little if any doubt that the eX-
preston would be for him But when
the papers in my county have kept silent,
a paper in your city makes haste to an
aounce that | am not candidate, and [
see in the semi weekly Gazette OF the 10th
inst, dispatch dated at Washington,
dlsposing of me with even greater ease.
| have been quite willing that that ground
should taken, as nearly all of the terri
tory in the new district consists of Mr..
Williams old district, and that | could
hardly expect to take the nomination
from him. But the policy of disposing Of
me on personal grounds, as the dispatch
of the l4th, inst, which finds place in
your paper, assumes to do, | think quite
unnecessary and unfair. Certainly 1t
would not tend to bring harmony be-
tween Rock and Jefferson counties, for
while my people may not see any very
sure prospect on my return to Congress,
feel certain they have some respect for
me- have been hard at work of late,
and have given this subject but little at
tention and | don't know whether want
to be candidate or not. My inclination
is aga nSt 1t: and L THINK the papers OF
your city, for MIR. Williams sake, ifnot
for mine can afford to forego a little of
their zeal, to see me set aside, until can
get through with my work here, and go
back to Wisconsin.
Very Sincerely Yours,
L. B. CASWEIL.
1t is no more than simple justice to Mr..
GaSMnll that his letter ShnnlN be made