Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-03-13
Hon. Levi M. Villas Declines.

EAU CLAIRE, March lO.-Hon. Levi
M. Villas has written the following
letter 10 the committee of the bar
meeting which was instructed to pre-
pare call. The calls for Mr.. Villas
had been very uumerously signed in
various parts of the state; but Mr..
Villas prefers not TO be a candidate,
and gives his reasons as follows:
Ear CLAIRE Wis, March 9th, 1856.
GENTLEMEN:-The complimentary action of
the State Bar association at its recent meeting,
with their recommendation of my name i'll their
choice of a candidate for the office of associate
justice of the supreme court, to be elected in
April, a1d their appointment of you, my friend,
as their committee to give effect TO IT, could not
of course fail to come TO my knowledge, through
the public press, and otherwise, although the
formal official notification and call which il pre-.
saged, have not yet been presented to me. Nsces-
sary also, it could not fail both to excite lively
sentiments of grateful satisfaction and stimu-
late serious meditation
My opinions in respect to the office mentioned,
and juStif able candidacy for it, are not unknown
to my frie 1dS, nor doubtful or uncertain in their
character. No one could accept il without a
sense of awe in view of the grave responsibilities
it imposes Professional learning. practi-
cal experience, great capahtity of
labor, sincere honesty of thought and purpose,
and fearlessneSs in conviction are not only to be
demanded of the incumbent but his usefulness
must require general popular confidence, and
the united respect and support of the bar.
1t can, therefore never be iustihably accepted
as the reward of skillfu sef-seeking in fact aud
hardly less so, il candidacy were to be charged
with that appearance or belief in II engenderpd
in the minds of any considerable portion of the
profession or the people, And while | know that
the action of the association has been free
from any Ssch just imputation as miae should be
were TO accept the proposed candieacy, vet |
cannot but recognize from the information af-
forded by the press. that there want # united
sentiment among the profession, and feeling
that the attendance at the meeting of the asso-
"a 1I ltE ntn ct
prominent and able members, has been thought
too small to entitle those present TO take repre-
sentative action
am assured it was not the purpose of the as.
sociation, in no event could it be the spirit of
my candidacy, to manifest any personal criticism
upon or antagonism towards, the present yener-
a BILE incumbent of the office, whose renewed can
didacy for the place, it has been currently ru-
mored, was not expected TO be desired by him
1t has transpred, however, that he is willing to
go again before the people, and the excellent and
healthy conservatism which has hitherto com
mended to them the faithful judicial servant for
cont iHuance in his official place, naturally enlsts
the sentiment of many of the lar, producing q
want of lity in the professional expression
Under such circumstances find my own feel
ings greatly averse to the assumption Of an as
pect OF striving for such place; and / believe
that the friends who have placed so generous an
estimate upon me would also he ayerse to my oc-
cupyng position so different from what they in-
tended or | should be willing to take.
have thought, therefore, that as the instruc-
tion of the association required you to perform
considerable labor i'll circulating the ordinary
calls and inviting expression in my favor,
ought to anticipate the event and spare you
trouble. by praying you to take no further steps,
but permit me 3eclination now, which might
be more ungracious at a later stage.
Were there anything so serious of principle in
yolved as to require personal submission, might
not claim such privilege, but, inasmuch as only
a choice of persons seems to be presented feel
that might rightfullv be governed by the senti-
mentS which have briefly expressed as having
ever been entertained by me in regard 10 judicial
candidacy.
Again assuring you of my grateful appreca
ton of the generous action of the Association aud
of the great honor by it conferred upon me, am,
with great respect
Your obedient servant,
L. NJ. Villas
Messrs. NJ Griffin, James o'Neilt, A. c. Park
inson, r. NJ Bashford AMI Charles s. Taylor,
Committee of State Bar Association