Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1882-06-23

Whereby hlng, a man OF republican
antecedents, refused to contest, and
straightforward republicans de-
nounce the transaction to this day.
Two years ago Mr.. Hazelton again
came before the people as a candi-
date for reelection. A very strong
opposition to him was raised by the
better element of the party, and had
there been a fair expression of the
opinions of the people of Grant coun-
ty, IN which he resides, he would
probably have been relegated to the
oblivion of his law office. But 'boss-
ism" was triumphant. The nopina-
ton depended on the vote of dele
gate from one small town in the Sec
ond assembly district, and the pledge
OF government position to a man
of influence, it is said, turned the
scale.
1t is an old story-this power of
patronage-but it has been used eff
fectively, and most Extensively, by
Mr.. Hazelton.
To-day up and down through
Grant, Iowa and Lafayette counties
his creatures are stalking in the "in-
science of Office lauding to the skies
the man whom the Times Justly
characterizes as mosquito politi-
cian," fit only to cry "order" or
/ question" For weeks a revenue
officer from the Second assembly
district is said to have been visiting
every part of the Third congressional
district, laying pipe for his master;
and now, for fear of frightening the
game, he is called off and govern
ment employee from Washington
rides down the quarry.
Controlling his home paper, the
Boscebel Dial, Hazelton found in the
Grant County Herald, published at
, Lancaster, an able and powerful op-
ponent two years ago. The common
belief is that he succeeded in pur-
chasing the Herald under the osten-
sible proprietorship of the ex-editor
Of the Dial, SO that now the paper
glorities the man who is supposed to
own a mortgage on its stock, and yet
claims independence in its views. In
Platteville there is published a paper
called the Grant County Witness.
Its editor is not very decided in his
opinions. Money could not infIu-
ence him, but our "boss" won the
favor of the genial man through his
son. A mail agents position given
to the really deserving boy, not yet
of age, is the obligation which binds
the father to the "boss."
From the circumstance that local
feeling in Bloomington is with Ha-
zelton, it is believed that the Record
will support him, although it is con-
sidered the most independent paper
in the county, and as far as can be
learned the Hazelton trade mark has
not been applied to it.
The story of this mans ambitious
schemes cannot be half told in a
newspaper article, but his supreme
egotism can be judged from the fact
that he aspires now to be the next
United States senator from Wiscon-
sin: and, in fact, asserts that he ought
to have been elected in the last con-
| test.
The opposition to Hazelton in his
own county, it is said, will result in
divided delegation to the congress
sional convention. If this occurs his
defeat is almost beyond question.
From reliable information your
correspondent is able to state that
the republican leaders of Dane coun-
ty are opposed to Hazelton and his
methods, but have not as yet united
on the man whom they will support
in the convention. The aspirants
are supposed to include Hon. w. F.
Oakley, United States marshal for
the western district; Hon. E. w.
Reyes and Senator George B. Bur
rows, all residents of Madison. This
district has never been represented
by a soldier, and it seems strange
that Grant county, which sent out
more soldiers in proportion to its
population than any in the state,
should forget her soldier boys to
honor such q civilian as George C.
Hazelton, who moved into the coun-
ty during the war seemingly for the
purpose of getting office
From the smaller counties in the
district no definite information is at
hand, but enough is known to state
that probably Green county will pre-
sent Hon. ]. B. Treat. of Monroe,
while Iowa and Lafayette, though
thoroughly worked" in Hazelton's
interest, will probably come to the
convention unpledged, with at least
a portion of their delegates opposed
to him.
Turning to the situation from a
democratic standpoint, we find but
one name prominently mentioned
for the race against the republican
candidate in this almost hopelessly |
republican district, but that name is
one Of nationol renown. Col. Will
liam f. Villas, of Madison, the elo-
quent orator and brilliant soldier,
can have the nomination if he will
accept. 1t is confidently stated that
he will be the democratic standard
bearer should the republicans nomi-
nate Hazelton or Reyes.
The young men Of the state have
looked to Col. Villas to lead them
should third party be formed in
opposition to the Objectionable meth
DDS Of bossism and party spoils,
which form SO large an element in
the real platforms of politicians of
both the old parties.
Should an Objectionable republican
be nominated he would bury any
independent movement, and Col.
Villas friends would probably de-
cline to run him; "but we will see
what we will see."
The number of school children in
the state between the ages of 4 and
20 years, as shown by the census for
the year ENDING SeDtemb er 1881