Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-01-29
Republican Caucus.
Col. SpOOner Nominated on the
First Ballot.
Receiving "a Ballots to % for
Gen. Fairchild.
Speeches by the Two Candi-
dates.

The republican caucus called to set
tie the senatorial question, or rather
to record the settlement already made
by the Spooner caucus of Tuesday
evening, was held at the senate cham
Der Wednesday evening. Only the re-
publican members of the legislature
and the representatives of the press
were admitted to the deliberations.
The hour having arrived, Senator
James, Of Richland, called the caucus
TO order and said the first thing in
order was the nomination of chair
man.
Senator Gipty nominated Hon. II.
@. Adams Of Dane. Taking the chair
Mr., Adams, in very appropriate form,
said that he was a repu blican from
the bottom of his heart, and, as such,
willing to serve in any field of SER
vice. He thanked the caucus, re-
minded them they were met to per-
form an important duty involv-
ing great responsibility to them
selves and the people of the state.
They should perforna that duty with
loyalty TO every interest Of the state
and the people, and with a determina-
ton to keep the state where she be-
longed-in the republican party.
Mr.. Norcross moved that Charles
E. Bross act as secretary of the eau
Gus, ana this motion carried.
The roll was then called, and all the
republican senators and members ex-
Gept Mr.. Friend, Of Milwaukee, an
swered to their names.
NJ &c ,ooOxrOd Of tho INfa
when taken be viva voce. Mr.. Hazen
moved to amend by making the vote
by ballot; but withdrew the motion.
Mr.. Nyc of St. Croix, Of the as
sembly then rose and IN carefully
prepared and well delivered
speech nominated Col. John G..
Spooner. He said, in substance, that
the people were looking on with in,
terest. They had sent their represen-
tatives here trusting them TO survey
the field, and to do the best that
could be done for the people of this
great commonwealth. He said he
spoke for the people of the northwest
ern part Of the state. Sixteen years
ago the party elected that most honor
ed son, Matthew H Carpenter. They
might, perhaps, look IN vain for his
equal, but the nearest approach to
him at this time in the party
shouId be selected and that
man as he believed was Col. John
@, Speoner. Turning to the political
parties, and while the existence Of the
government may not depend upon the
supremacy of either, the speaker ap-
pretended that whatever of intelli-
gence, integrity or ability party had,
should not languish for want Of the
abIest preventative of those high
qualities. He referred to the history
of the party, born in the night of
bondage, and said it wanted man Of
brain, fighter, one who could survey
the field with cool judgment and 81
warm heart, a man of experience,
breadth, integrity and high resolve,
one who could stand on the watch
tower as a sentiUel, etc, etc He re
ferred TO Col. Spooner's residence
here, to his service in tbs war, his
family here, his father, old in years
but rich IN honored renown. He would
carry to the senate wisdom, courage
and judgment, he had gained
renown as a lawyer, was above
reproach, was not an office seeker,
and was the representative OF the
progressive Americans of to-day. He
had won his spurs By hard struggle.
The remarks were full of praise of his
candidate and his great promise of
usefulness in that high station; and
were received With applause. The
above synopsis does the speakers pre-
sentation of his candidate but meagre
justice
Mr.. Norcross rose to second the
neminatia He spoke of the duty
they were to perform In taking man
from the private walks of life and
ranks of common citizens and place
hina in the highest Office the people of
! Wisconsin could bestow. He said the
nomination of Col. Spooner was an
innovation on former usages. 1t was
the first time a man had been taken
from the northwestern part Of the
state, the first time q, graduate OF the
university had been selected, and one
who had received his common school
and professional education here and
grown up to manhood's fullest
strength under Wisconsin training
| dud CUituIC. LII bCuc11 vi IeOCh duC
Walworth counties ne endorsed the
neminatien and while he honored
Gen. Fairchild, who lived in his sec
ton of the state, he believed that,
take him all ia all, Spooner was es-
pecially fitted for this exalted honor.
Such was the substance though not
the words of Mr.. Norcress' speech.
Mr.. Kidd, of Grant. nominated
Gen. FairchIld. He said the "Old
Guard dies but never surrenders"
In accordance with this sentiment of
the gallant and historic corps,
he rose to perform duty
which under more suspicious
circumstances would be the pleasant
est in his life, to place in nomination
Gen. Lucius Fairchild He was Wis
eonsin's most IGNORED and distin
guished citizen. His services at home
AID abroad, great as they are, and
redounding to his honor and the