Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1897-09-02

Myron H. McCord's many friends in
this city will be glad to read the follow
ing letter from him, and we take pleas
ure in republishing it:
Mr.. c. n. JoHNso 8, MERRILL, WIS.
My Dear Johnson:-Your very kind
letter of cOngratulation of the 20th of
July, | found upon my return home,
and | take the first leisure moment to
reply.
When l reached Phoenix after my
somewhat protracted, though enforced
absence, found the designations of be-
tween seventy and eighty territorial
officials lying on my table. These re-
signations were sent in thus promptly
because the laws of the territory give
the Governor the right TO remove any
official. Since reaching home l have
kept busy with official duties and to-
day there is not an office in the terri
tory held by one belonging to what is
called "The Affidavit Crown" 1t is
conceded by everybody that ninty per
cent. of the republicans and at least
seventy-five per cent. of the democrats
which includes nearly all Of the best
democrats in the territory-wanted me
for Governor. Well, my boy it was a
hard fight but the victory was COM
mensurate. The people of the terrific
ry without regard to party received me
most royalty and enthusiastically. A
committee Of so with special train met
me 200 miles east Of Phoenix. In fact
from the time | entered the ter
ritory it was a grand meeting. The
people of every town were out IN force.
When | was inaugurated there was
present the largest cOncourse of people
I I'D
home my wife turned over to me over
1000 letters and 300 kilograms. The
letters and teleg~ams were from all parts
of the country and many were from
dear old Wisconsin and while there
were letters from senators, governors
and representatives, and many others
high in authority, the most gratifying of
all were from old friends in Wisconsin,
and especially those from the old
Ninth Congressional District, from
democrats as we'll as republicans.
When | received them they recalled SO
many pleasant rememberances and re-
minded me so forcibly of old time friends
of the past that | could not restrain a
tear-in fact many Of them. | am now
in the Governors Office Ut is o'clock
in the morning) and have been every
day since my return trying to catch up
with my correspondence. [ have
private secretary who helps me good
deal, but | cannot allow him to answer
the letters of my old friends-his an
swer would be too cold. From all over
Wisconsin have come to me words of
good cheer and not a single unfriendly
word have / received except from Col
John Hicks, of the Oshkosh North
western, who is probably vexed for the
reason | was not in CONGRESS- and DnSh-
ing and probing senators Spooner and
Sawyer to get him appointed minister
TO Peru as | was eight years ago. He
did not get appointed this time because
Senator Spooner had more sense in
1897 than Senators Spooner, Sawyer and
myself had in 1889. He was a great
diplomat while in Peru, but the records
of the State Department failed to make
a record of it. That is what's the matter
with "Col," John Hicks.
1t was my intention to visit Wisconsin
on my return from Washington but the
exigencies of the situation required my
immediate return here. | hope to get
out there next summer. | want my
friends in Wisconsin to remember Sen
atCr Spooner and Congressman Stewart
who worked hard for my appointment
and confirmation and | want them to
remember in their prayers that grand
old man Philetus Sawyer.
Well my dear boy please give my
kindest regards to all my old friends
and tell them if ever get out from un-
der the pile of correspondence [ will
write and thank them for their con-
gratulations and good wishes.
Yours as ever,
MYRON H. MCCORD.