Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-07-16
1t Won't Do.

! Times attempt, in last weeks issue Of
| that paper, to uphold the power of one
member Of a committee of five, to over
rule the judgment of the majority. and
call conventions when and as he pleases,
IN defiance of their wishes. Omitting
! superfiuities, that is just what they
claim and say. At the risk of repeat
ing what it has heretofore said in regard
to this claim, the REPORTER thinks it
| proper to say: Mr.. Coles proposed
convention cannot, and ought not to be,
upheld. The majority of the Central
committee made known to him their
| wish to have an early convention. He
| objected, and stated his reasons. They
! informed him that they did not think
| his reasons sufficient. He then offered
another reason, as be claimed, and soon
| thereafter left for st. Louis, and beyond
the maiOrity's reach. They then acted
in his absence, as they might have done
in his presence, and probably would
have done, as Cole doubtless supposed.
He now complains that he was not
properly treated. The majority GER
tainly used him CourteOusly as long as
he remained where they could cOmmu-
nicate with him. He voluntarily placed
courtesy or argument by leaving the
accomplish delay that he knew the
majority did not approve, and which
he could not accomplish if he remained
at his post and employed only straight
forward means. Finding upon his re-
turn that his little scheme had not
worked; that the majority, exercising
their undOubted right to act, had called
a convention, he rushed into the field
with another call, and this without the
sanction of, or any consultation with
any Of the four other members Of the
committee. And why this strange pro-
ceeding? Was not the call already made
by the majority upon sufficient and
proper notice? Was it not just to all
localities in its apportiOnment of repre-
SentatIOn? Was any section or interest
or individual WrOnged, or threatened
with wrong? No pretense is or can be
made that the call is not just and fair
IN every respect, to every Republican
and locality in the county. Then why
this call for a "rump" convention at
Marshfeld and the silly howl about
want of courtesy to Cole? Why Coles
sickly twaddle about the committee not
having formally met, when Cole left the
state and thus rendered Il full meeting
impossible? 1t is all a very transparent
sham that will deceive no one but its
inventors. 1t is very gauzy covering
of a very questionable scheme to de-
liver the delegation from this county
over to a particular candidate for Gov
ernOr, whether he is the choice Of the
Republicans Of the county or not. In
order to secure time and opportunity
to work this Job successfully, it is neces-
sary to have late convention, and hold
it at Marshfeld. So Coles advisors
Ind aH nd +hnTofNTn jS
call for q trump" convention. Upham S
superintendent Of public property,
MOrly, and his executive clerk, Coon,
have been called from their official
duties at Madison to mouse around this
county and instruct Republicans who
should be the next Governor; to tell
them how to act, and what delegates to
elect. Those acquainted with the fact
that, during the last session Of the legis-
Iature, COOn's time was mainly devoted
to intriguing for the dismemberment of
this county, will easily comprehend the
purpose of his mission. And what of
MOrly? He is not even a resident of
the county. He has no interests here,
and never expects to have. What in
tereSts of public concern nave moved
him to attempt to run Republican eau
cuses in the southern and western por-
llOIS vi lllS county 11G 10 ODCNlug
instructions of course; working in aid
of a program the real purpose of which
the Republicans IN the localities visited
by him are not expected to discern.
Some of them were deceived by that
combination on a former OCCASION
They are not likely to be fooled again
by the same methods in the hands of
the same men.
Let it not be inferred that what has
been here said is prompted in any way
by partiaIity for or hostility to, any can
didate " hat the REPORTER insists up
on, is, that ordinary fairness shall be
observed; that the just and manly atti-
tude Of the majority Of. the Central
committee shall not be successfully be-
| lied; that the Republicans of this
county shall be permitted to speak to
their brethren of the state through a
convention called for legitimate objects
INnd by competent authority. Their
V&ce will thus be heard and respected
as X will deserve to be respected. So
far as this paper is advised there has
at no time been, and is not now, (out-
side of the very select circle who
threaten to find consolation in Coles
trump" cOnVention,) any disposition to
forestall any candidate, nor to tie up
to any candidate, until there shall have
been fair opportunity to observe the
whole field, and impartially judge the
qualifications Of the several aSpirants.
Each of the three leading candidates at
this time-Messrs. Scotield, Elliott and
LaFolette-have friends here, and all
are believed to be good men. But other
candidates are being announced; and
still others may be. There need be no
haste to select a favorite. The candi-
date whose qualifications will not admit
of comparison with those of others, has
no claims that are worthy Of serious
consideration. Let the Republicans of
Wood county, through their regular
convention, choose a delegation to the
state convention that can be trusted to
act with judgment, in the interest Of
the party and the state. That they will
be seated there can be no doubt. No
| Republican state convention will hesi-
tate to recognize them and the conven-
ton which shall accredit them in order
to Justify an unprecedented and un-
called for proceeding such as is being
| fostered in the name Of Chairman Cole.