Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-05-09


any that could be built Of stone OF
marble by the most skillful architect
and the most lavish expenditure OF
money. Mr.. Scott's public career is
well known to the most of you. He
was not ambitious, and never sought
political preferment for the sake of the
office or the honor, but on the contrary
whenever he accepted public trust ii
was as means to accomplish some
good end. Thus he was for ten success
i've years Senator in our state legisla-
ture, and mainly for the purpose of OBJ
tanning such legislation as was needed
to aid and secure the development of the
Wisconsin River valley and other inter
ests; how well that task was performed
all who live along this river know.
His word in the legislature was as good
as his bond out Of it. All trusted him
implicitly and he was honoTed by his
associates by being chosen to the high
est and most responsible positions
within their gift. That he was not
ambitious for political honor | have
ample reason for saying. 1t was my
fortune to know enough of the political
affairs of the dominant party of this
state and the inside workings of the
political machinery of that party and of
the sentiment that prevailed among the
people of the state to know that at one
time Mr. Scott could have beenits candi-
date for Governor, with ample assurance
of an election by simply giving his CON
sent but that consent he refused to give.
At that time no man had more warm
political friends or fewer political
enemies and the chief magistracy of
your state was easily within his grasp.
At another time he could have had the
republican nomination for congress
which would have been equivalent to an
election, but he refused to allow his
friends to use his name. | have said
that his word in the legislature was as
good as his bond out of it. BY that
remark [ would by no means wish to
imply that bis word was not good any
where and everywhere, for it was, and
| believe no man lives who can truly
say that Thomas B. Scott ever forfeited
his word to him. He was not the most
careful man about making promises, in
fact | have thought sometimes he was
too free to make them, vet promise
once made by him was strictly, evan
religiouslv kept. In his death the city
of Merrill not only lost benefactor,
but many of the citizens lost their best
friend. Numbering myself with that
throng | am comforted by the belief
that he while living, deemed me worthy
to be his friend and companion and
furnished me with many proofs of his
esteem and regard; the recollection of
which | shall fondly treasure Lost to
many of us indeed is that strong arm
upon which we so often leaned, yet we
are comforted with the thought that we
and all others who may become citizens
of this good city, of which our benefac-
tor was SO proud, can come here as
often as we can spare the time from our
duties and pass an hour in perusing the
volumes which his generosity and
noblemindedness has placed within our
reach.
Fellow citizens; ir pronouncing this
brief euIogy upon our late friend I have
not endeavored to make use of eloquent
language, high sounding phrases or we'll
rounded periods, nor have I claimed
for his memory aught that was not his
due. But have tried as we'll as [ could,
in the brief time allotted to me,
to picture our lamented friend
precisely as he was. III have succeed
ed in ever so small a degree, am we'll
paid for my trouble, and [ thank you
for your patient and attentive listening
tn mo