Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1895-03-28
.CLEMENTscN OR WINSLoW?
Some Reasons Why the Former Should
Be Elected,

some Reasons Why the Former Should
Be Elected.
The most important question to be
decided on April 2 is the election of q
justice of the supreme court. Both
candidates-Judge George C~lementson,
OF Lancaster, and Justice j. B. Wins.
low, formerly of Racine-are named
on the official ballot as n~on-partisan.
Judge ~Clementson has presided twelve
years on the bench of the Fifth judi
clal circuit. Justice Winslow, after
some experience on a circuit bench,
was appointed by Gov. Peck to fill a
vacancy. afterwards elected for an IN
expired term, and now seeks reelec-
ton for a full term. Judge Clement
son is, politically, a republican, but
since he has been a judge has taken
absolutely no part in politics. Justice
Winslow is a democrat. In his famous
mander case, and in political cam
paigns, he has continued to show a
strong partisanship.
1t is fair to say that Justice Wins.
lows backing in the present campaign
consists of ALPHABETICALLY solid democrat
ic phalanx combined with those law
yers who are distinguished for their
activity and ability in defending and
promoting corporations, frequently
against the interest of the people. 1t
is truth to say that Judge Clement
sons candidacy is al uprising of the
people of the state to express prefer
ence for a man whose spotless integ-
rity and fearless devotion to the inter
ests of the people make him an ideal
candidate for the supreme court.
11cf,nn 01-s o$%o~r{
to make a strong showing on nom
partisanship in his behalf. They en-
| phasize the fact that John c. Spooner
and J. V. Quarles are among his
sponsors, and have given wide circula-
ton to interviews with those we'll
known republicans.
It is in interesting to note, however,
that the majority of the newspapers
which make the most of this point
have heretofore had nothing but con-
demnation for Messrs. Spooner and
Quarles. But one of these journals,
the Manitowoc County Chronicle, ed
tied by an able and prominent demo-
crat, displays the wolf in the non
partisan sleeps clothing by such ed
itorials as the following:
HDo not forget your duty as demo-
Gratis on election day. Judge Winslow's
reelection depends upon the loyal sup
port he gets from hisdemocratic breth-
rem. No Democrat in the county should
forget to vote for him."
In behalf of Judge Clementson's can
| didacy it may be said that he is in the
fullest sense of the word a self-made
man. His parents were poor, and in
his youth the future judge learned the
wagonmaker's trade, studying mean
while. When he had earned money
enough by his own work he took a col
lege course. After his admission to the
bar he quickly attained first rank in
his profession. AS a practitioner be-
tore the supreme court he was very sue
c~essful, winning over so per cent. of
his cases appealed. He was elected
circuit judge by a large majority
over so able and popular an
opponent as Judge NJ. NJ. Goth
rem. A much larger number than
the average of his decisions has been
sustained by the appellate court, not
wi%thstanding the attempt of the Mil
waukee Journal to make it's readers be-
lieve the contrary. In this campaign
Judge C~lementson has the endorse
ment of practically all the people of
all parties, and the attorneys as well,
within his judicial district. He is
looked upon as the ~non-partisan candi-
date, because his supporters are not
only drawn from all parties, and be-
cause he is absolutely without preju-
dice in the performance of his judicial
duties.
There is one notable case which dis
tinguishes in a forcible manner the
judicial methods of the opposing can
didates-the trial of John 3. Koetting
for wrecking the South Side Savings
bank in Milwaukee. Judge Clement
son tried the case at the request of
Judge Wallber, against whom an afi-
davit of prejudice had been fled. The
result vas a prompt overruling of dill
atory motions, the conviction of the
defendant and his sentence to a five
year term at the penitentiary. The
principal hope of the defendants attor-
ney in his effort to show error in Judge
Clementson's trial of the case was on the
question of jurisdiction. Four justices
Judge C~lementson that he had jurisdic-
ton. Justice Winslow dissented on
this point, and expressed an opposite
opinion. The sentence, however, was
set aside by a majority of the justices,
not on any question affecting the guilt
or innocence of Koetting, but on a
technicality so fine as to be beyond or
binary comprehension. Justice Wins
low cast the deciding vote which re-
leased Koetting from the sentence
justly imposed on him by Judge
Clementson. Is.
A reason sufficient alone why the people
should elect Judge Clementson is found in
the record his opponent has made. as shown
in the last eight volumes of the supreme
court reports. It reveals the fact that in
Justice Winslow's view of the law he is re-
markedly out of harmony with the majority
of the court, as, during the four years he
has been a member Of the supreme court,
he has dissented from the opinions of the
court more often than the other four justices
together. An examination OF Justice Wins
lows decisions discloses another fact still
more extraordinary-that the majority of
his dissenting opinions have been in
cases in which corporations have been in
terested as against Individual interests, and
that IN nearly every instance Justlceo Wins
lows dissenting opinions have been against
the individuals and favorable to corpora
tionS. This tendency to favor corporations
has been shown as well by the prevailing
opinions which he has written as by his
dlssents. Many, if not most of the dissent
ing opinions of other members of the court
have been vigorous protests against the
adoption of a rule of law believed by the
minority of the judges to be too favorable
to corporate interests. In one case Justice
Cassody's dissent says of Justice Winslow's
opinion:
.The effect of it is to relieve the defendant
as employer from the duty of furnishing to the
plaintiff as its employe q reasonably safe place
In which to work. The law on the subject is
IoG THIS MsH vi ssst esis to T TsapIi5e o fpfsne fu dIyo eoseurs'
In four years Justice Winslow has made
this record in the face Of an approaching cleo
OF party. to refuse to indorse by q reelection
for a ten-year term one who holds his peculiar
views as to corporate privileges: