Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1886-12-31
THE OLD POLITICIANS.
The Way Gea. Dodge and Josiah Noonan Once
Run Badger Politics
SundnY Tnlngrnuh


Run Badger Politics.
Sunday Telegraph.
Generations pass away like the waves
that break upon the shores and disappear
forever. Some names may linger for a
time like foot prints in the sand but fsw
become Immortal. In the last generation
Henry Dodge and Josiah A. Noonan we're
among the more prominent and we'll
known men OF the state. They were like
Jonathan and David in their friendship,
but here lie resemblance ceased. Dodge
was tall, of commanding presence males
tlcally silent, and he strOde along like the
shadow of Il Roman senator. Noonan was
short, chubby, of tlorid complexion,
and in his movements he rolled like a
sailor on shore with his sen legs; bat he
surpassed his dignided companion in
learning and ability. Dodge was success
full in reaching ths highest Office of the
state; but he owed his elevation TO the
untiring zeal and strategy of Noopan.
He was man of general integrity and
poudsrOus words, but he seldom said any
ching that outiived the breath by which
it was uttered. He performed some SER
vice in pursuing the remnant of Indians
then in the territory. These acts greatly
msgnified, furnished rGro materials for
the wits of that period, but they also pro-
vided a ladder upon which he mounted
into the executive office of the territory;
and the poor Indian who contributed so
largely to his success was annually
warmed over in his message. He never
originated, carried through or proposed
any important measure, either in con
gress or the state. But his vote and
opinions were regulated by tho most
skillful care to maintain his personal pop
ularity. The question with him was not,
should it be done, but will 1t be popular,
In the matter of the comm utation of the
sentence of David Bonhaur, he did not
withstand the argument of his friends in
favor of tho Communication but he replied:
II don't know about this matter, sir:
fear you will get me into position that
my enemies will rake me like hell, sir?"
NoOnan was the power behind MIN du--
ing his political life-his bitter and caus-
tic pen fought bis battles against all
comers. There was a time when no man
in the state welded more influence in
the elections of the people than Josiah A.
Noonan. He furnished paper and print
ing materials TO almost every press, and
under the cover of this indebtedness his
prolific pen found an easy access to their
columns as editorials. As trenchant.
scathing priter he found no equal except
Beriah Brown, but he could write ten ar
ticles while Brown was writing one.
When he resolved to crush an opponent
he pursued him with the keen scent of
bloodhound. His favorite strategy was
to make his attacks simultaneously in diff
ferent parts of the state, and then quote
his own CORES pondence as the verdict of
popular sentiment. No man in the
northwest ever ruined the ambition OF
more men. A distinguished senator once
remarked, that he wrote twenty thousand
dollars worth of hbels a month. Yet he
possessed many noble qualities of head
and heart. No one, according to his
means. gave more Literally to the poor,
and his hand was ever cordially extended
TO help and cheer young men seeking en-
ployment. In the battle between labor
and capita, on the eide of labor he always
carried a quiver full of his sharpest ar
rows But few men in the country were
better posted in the current history of the
times. Upon the downfall of Dodge and
his men. he broke from his political
mornings and closed his career as poll
tician in wrecking the democratic party.
This he accomplished by promising GER
tain republican leaders, il they would
nominate Alexander Randall, ais bosom
friend and disciple, for governor, he
would carry over TO them al least three
Thousand democratic votes. He was nom
mated and elected. and from that time
the democratic party lost its ascendency
in this state, and the Dodge party forever
ceased TO be factor in the politics Of
Wisconsin