Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-11-01

Democratic County Treasurer to a very
prominent Centralia Democrat and a
former member Of Assembly, upon all
his Marshfeld real estate, the Centralia
Democrat endorsing the note to the
bank and thereby raising the money
that was supposed to be enough to settle
the defalcation QUIETLY. Some incum-
brances on this real estate had to be
first paid, and the balance left of the
s., 100000 was turned into the Treasury,
but lacked exactly S1,74613 of settling
the shortage, and so the deficiency be-
came known and resulted in the noted
suit against the bondsmen to recover
the shortage Of 81, ,746.13 which was set
tied in May 1894.
The mortgage given was not paid
when due and foreclosure proceedings
were commenced and are now pending
wherein L. E. Nash of Centralia is plain
tiff and Peter Bever, et ais, are de-
fendents.
examination by experts Of the books of
the late Democratic County Treasurer
and County Clerk, made under the
supervision and direction of the Finance
Committee of the County Board of
Supervisors, cost the taxpayers of Wood
County at least One Thousand Dollars
Isl ,000.O0). An extra session of the
County Board at no small cost had to be
and was had, all at the expense of the
taxpayers of Wood County.
1t seems to me that these Democratic
administrations IN County affairs come
rather high, and are luxuries that the
people should dispense with.
The foregoing are not campaign
yarns but facts taken from the records
of Wood County. Let us further turn
on the light.
At the annual meeting of the County
Board in November, 1892, the present
Democratic Clerk of the Court pre-
sented a bill reading as follows: ''To
recording and indexing 245 declaration
papers to become citizens and indeXing
the same at Soc each, S122.5O and to
recording so naturalization papers and
indexing same, at $1.00 each, $4,000,
total, $172.50."
This bill in some way passed the
Committee Oh Claims, was allowed and
paid to the Clerk in full by the usual
order. Later on suspicion arose that
the bill was not all right or a proper
charge. A resolution was pissed
directing the money to be refunded to
the county and directing the District
Attorney to commence suit to collect it
if not repaid. The District Attorney
demanded but was met with a refusal
Of payment, and the dance began.
The county started suit and the case
was tried before Judge Webb in May,
1898. On May 18th, 1898, judgment
was rendered in favor Of Wood County
and against the Democratic Clerk of
Court for $172.50 damages, $7.20 0interest,
and $14S3 costs, total judgment, $194
file No. 1929. After this judgment was
rendered resolution was lobbied
through the County Board Of Super
visors and the judgment later on was
settled at its face, $172.50, the county
losing the interest and costs, in all
$22.03. The judgment record on the
margin has the following classic and
Democratic endorsement; "Paid to
Peter Mccartney, Co. Treas. $172.50, in
full satisfaction of this judgment, pur-
suant to resolution of County Board"
(Signed) D. D. CONWAY.
1t would seem as if a judgment against
Democratic County officer for moneys
unlawfully received, ought to be paid in
full and not be made the subject Of
discount. Charity should commence
with those in need and deserving. l
sincerely regret that I am forced in
defense to show up to the voters Of
Wood County Democratic election
frauds of nearly fifteen years ago, but
many voters will remember them and
the then corrupt condition of County
affairs which was purified by Republi
can victory and the election Of the
Republican County ticket.
The record of the Democratic party
III Offices Of trust for the past few years
is record black with dishonor, party
shame and corruption, and has disgraced
the fair name Of Wood County. Bossism
and ring rule have so fettered the
Democratic party in Wood County, that
it has become almost a Democratic
proverb and commandment, that no
Democrat can be a successful candidate
for nomination to County Office with
out first having made pilgrimage to
the political Mecca of Centralia and
receiving the consent of the ''almost
Diyinely appoInted' to run.
Some Independent Democrats have,
to their credit, tried to break the spell,
but all such now sleep peacefully in
their political graves, while the Cen
traIia triumvirate and their Marshfeld
allies sweetly chant:
'Such is to you the spirits nigh behest;
Let no earthly vain ambition fire your breast"
Very Truly Yours,
FRANK 4. CADY.