Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1885-07-02
A Card From Representative Hampton.

uAhbOh oIhlNGo, Juu6 ~.
Editor NORTHERN TRIBUNE.
My attention has just been called to
an article recently published in your
paper rejecting upon my course in the
Sumner county matter.
make 1t point to pay no attention
to newspaper criticism when it applies
to myself alone. and therefore will not
waste ink in referring to your misrepre-
sensations as to my course in the redis-
tricting, farther than TO say that a
staunch Republican, one of Cheb0ygan's
honOred citizens, sat at my table and at
my request assisted me in arranging
the Representative and Senatorial dis
tricts so as to best advance the Interests
of the people of Northern Michigan. The
arrangement | worked for was heartily
approved by him and every other honest
Republican who examined ii, SO much
for that matter.
Your statements as to my action in the
bill proposing division OF the county
are utterly false in every particular.
will do you the credit of believing that
you do not willfully misrepresent me,
but wish to add that if anyone gave
you such information he is a willful and
malicious liar.
Whoever says | made any pledges in
regard to any ChebOygan county matter
lies!
Whosoever says l ever violated as a
legislator any pledge Whatsoever made
as candidate lies!
Whoever says did all could to take
from Cheboygan and Pressure Isle c0un-
ties some of their most valuble territory
in order to create new county lies.
Whoever says did anything to assist
or influence such division lies *
This may not be elegant. but 1t is ex-
pllcit. In the county matter, as in your
charter bill, did precisely what | said
from the start | should do. | simply
saw that both sides had fair show. l
arranged the hearings On both bills, be-
fore committees to suit the convenience
Of the ChebOygan people. | kept both
sides posted by telegraph at my own ex-
panse. | told both parties from the
start that l should favor reporting the
bill without recommendation and il so
reported would see that both had an OPP
portunity to fight it out Oh the floor, bat
would not vote for it myself.
In my letter Of March Goth, to Mr..
Humphrey referring to the notice had
already given him that the bill had been
reported without recommendation and
made the special order for March 31st. |
wrote: You are aware of the necessity
OF looking after your interests, and as L
shall insist on maintaining a strictly
neutral position | will not undertake to
offer any suggestions. have now put
the matter where both sides can have
an equal show, and In dOiag so have |
striven to be fair and impartial to ALL"
The friends Of the bill attempted to |
take advantage of the absence Of their |
opponents and pass the bill before the |
day set down for its consideration. l |
did not consider this square dealing and |
opposed the motion to take 1t up, sue
ceediag after speaking twice against
consideration, in having it
again postponed. l immediately tole-
graphed Humphrey and Perkins what
action had been taken ana added that
my opinion was that the bill would pass
the Honse unless the opposition looked
after it. In letter Of March 9th, MIR.
Humphrey acknowledged the receipt Of
my kilograms and said: I'VE will try
and attend the matter when it comes to
further hearing" This was not done.
The friends OF the bill urged their course
ably, fairly and cOurteOusly, and win
ming the respect, confidence and sympa-
Thy of tho members they carried their
bill through the House. BY refusing to
vote for the bill virtually voted against
Is, a refusal to vote having the same eff
feet as negative vote. The fact that
my most intimate and friends AID pOlit-
zeal associates voted for and some
against shows that took no part in the
contest. challenge any man to find
single member whom influenced or at
Sempted TO influence. To all inquiries
10 to my wishes l invariably replied that
would express no opinion and did not
are which way my friends voted.
That SIT was my course In the new
county matter. 1t was the right course
Q take and should not regret it even
1t resulted in buryiDg me- politically
'eyOnd resurrection. What few hOnOrs
have had, have been given me because
could be relied Oh 10 DO fair and honest,
nd would not deal unjustly by even a
lngle constituent who trusted me for
ii the h0ners and emOluments in the
lift OF the people. l shall do what /
bel to be right, and If people don't like
1t Is their privilege to express their
isapproval in any way they see ft.
Several hundred of my constituents
presenting an overwhelming majority
the people in the proposed new county
sked chance to get decision from
ie Legislature. Over hundred far
lsrs wrote me personal letters asking I
70 to assist the bill. While felt that
could not do that. in view Of the fact
lat many more of my constituents OPP IL
)sed IL, AID was the representative Of
up, assured them that they should
aN fair show and they got it.
l knew that they were neither wealthy
Or influential. bat what they owned
az just az good to them a. though they
ere milliOnaires. and the very fact
lat they were weak and unable to hire
OCCASIONAL lobbyists made it so much
% moro incumbent upon me to see