The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1884-09-03
CONTINUED from fourth pagc,l
The Gag Rule.

To read the statement OF the other side,
one would naturally be led to think
that some awful dabolical game had
been .practiced to nominate Webber.
But few stop to reason on the matter,
but at once say the action of the con-
vention was wrong. Now what is this
all about, on Saturday night about
dark? The caucuses were to be held
the following Wonday evening, four
thousand circulars were issued aud
sent into every voting precinct in the
county.
The main purpose of these circulars,
it was claimed, was to vindlcate NNe
from certain charges connected with
the Hlnckley case published on
the Wednesday before, up to this time
Webber's name had not been connected
with the settlement of that case. In
these circulars it was charged that
whatever there was that was wr2ns
regarding the settlement of that case,
that Webberwas responsible for 1t to as
full an extent as any party connected
with the transaction. Webber's friends
weretold on Friday morning thata Circu-
lar would be issued and that before 1t was
printed it would be shown them. This
promise was not kept and no notice OF
that attacks on him was given, until
he whole 1000 were heing distributed.
low mark, it was Saturday night, the
,rintng offices were closed, and no con-
radicton could be given until Monday
morning. Webber was implicated by a
written statement; being published in
this circular made by one, Avery.
Learning that on Monday morning an
extra edition of the ENTERPRISE would
be issued, Webber telephoned to Well
ington his statement that he had moth
ing to do with that settlement, and
Metcalf corroborated it, saying the
same thing. The extent of the circula-
ton of this circular was very limited,
two or three townships perhaps saw
them before the caucus, we think also
a hand press was obtained at Elyria and
some were struck off there Monday
morning and given such circulation as
the limited time would permit, so much
for this. After the caucuses and on
Thursday afternoon before the Saturday
of the convention, Webber's friends
heard 1t rumored that other aflidavits
were being taken showing he did have
some part in the settlement of that case.
Nye's friends who had charge ofgetting
up these affidavits were seen and asked
to show their new afIidavits to Webber's
friends, say ing: "If any counter affida-
Wits are taken by Webber, we will show
them to you " This was agreed to and
Friday afternoon was the time fixed
when they should be shown, thus Civ
ing Webber short time to meet them,
If he desired. Friday night came, but
no afildavits were shown to Webber; a
messenger was sent after them, but he
returned about IL p. M, saying that
the parties were tired and had gone
home, but would show them In the
morning. Saturday morning came and
no aflldavits were shown and Webber's
friends were led to believe they did not
intend 10 use them and SO had an excuse
for not showing them. SO Webber pre-
pared nothing in rebuttal not knowing
what these aflidayits were about.
when 1t was proposed 70 read these atlldavits
70 that convention attacking Weber and no
one knew who else without notice or warn
ing, or time, or opportunity 10 Inspect even
the genuiuess Of the signatures much less
time TO reply 10 one of them. Such a
monstrous proposition was never heard Of
in court Of law and justice where always
ample time is given for al parties to inspect
and reply to all anldRvits, where even a
few dollars are involved. But II was
proposed here 10 read these anidavts
against Webber, and Others WHO were not
members Of the convention aud that kind
of evidence charging him with perddy,
libel, sander and lying, and by
this means compass his defeat and
ruin. Such was the position taken there by
these men who now hold up their clean
hands In holy horror because IS good men
thought 1t ought not to be done; now mark,
these afIliavlts were in the possession Of
johnson on Friday, certainly there was moth
ing to prevent him having them printed and
circulated among the delegates. There was
nothing 10 hinder him from showing every
affidavit 10 Metcalf as he had
promised or TO every delegate II
he had desired But no, this
would not do. The surprise to Webber
would not be as complete and he might be
able--as he now ls-to show this falsity
Impartial reader what do you think about
this; 1t makes 70 difference whether you
voted for the fifteen minutes or not, on your
calm reflection don't you think II these afi-
davits had been read and the convention had
accepted them as true, lasting stigma