Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-10-25
Sp()ILS IN OFFICE.
THE DEMOCRATIC COUNTY RING
in CONTROL.

1t is generally conceded by Demo
Gratis and Republicans that certain few
in Centralia particularly, and Il few in
Marshfeld for appearance sake. dictate
the local candidates on the Democratic
county ticket. This fact has been
demonstrated every two years for the
last ten, and the recent convention held
on the sixth Of this month was but
repetition of past history in this line
It has been generally known among
business men that these certain few
local Democrats were not spending
their time and money for the election
and reelection of their particular"
friends without some definite return or
reward in sight somewhere through the
spoils system Of office holding. Two
years ago we were informed Of certain
facts which we did not then make
known to the public, but will this fall as
the Democrats are using the A. P. A.
and Bennett Law "bugbears' to keep
their followers in line. We feel that it
is high time the people who have been
hoodwinked from year to year should
know the truth.
Is will be remembered that VIM. T.
Jones, Of Centralia, a member of the
firm of Jones 4 Nash, and who is now
chairman of the Democratic County
Committee, held the office Of County
Clerk for two terms. 1t is a known fact
that when he left the office of County
Clerk and VIM. Hooper, a democrat,
succeeded him, he left that Office with
the ffm of Jones & Nash indebted to
the county 5000. This was made known
to Mr.. Hooper, who paid the 5000 into
the county fund and took a joint note
of Jones q Nash for that amount. That
note, we are informed on what we
consider excellent authority, is not
paid yet and is still in Mr. Hooper's
possession. One payment Of about 500
has been made, but the remaining
amount still stands. It is also rumored
that this firm has received and bad the
use Of county funds under other officers
III return for personal favors rendered
in helping such officers to their job.
We can cite other loans and accommo-
dations like this, which occurred at
different times, if they ask for them.
Reader, you will remember that two
years ago Frank Rourke, then book
keeper III Jones & Nash store, was
nominated for county clerk. He WIS
elected then and re-nGminated this fall
for the office. Can we not in the face
of the above disclosures believe, with
good grounds for the belief, that he also
accommodates his friends in nice
manner as his predecessors have done
in payment for the fayors he has
received?
When Peter Bever was found to be a
defaulter and his resignation was
accepted. did this same ring look for
some good man in the interior of the
county to fill the place? No, they
Immediately decided to favor Peter
McCamley, an old time friend of theirs,
who was also an employee in their store
when elected. He has served the
county ever since. 1t was at this time,
when they went back on Hooper, who
was candidate for treasurer and
received the whole republican vote,
that Hooper while mad told the facts
about Jones q Nash owing him 5000 for
the money he advanced to make the
county fund good when he succeeded
VIM. L. Jones.
At the last convention why didn't
the democrats nominate Mr.. Kissinger
Of the town of Sigel? Simply because
the ring did not want new man in the
deal of accommodations They want
the cold friends who are already
acquainted with the facts of the spoils
system.
We're we willing to quote men and
give names and the particulars Of
transactions that the ''ring" have been
party to and the accommodations they
have received, the rank and file of the
democratic party would not hesitate a
moment in making change SO that the
records might be searched by their
opponents for facts and particulars.