Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-02-03

V
cordially and earnestly urged the ap-
pointment of Mr.. Silverthorn. This
is taken not only as an evidence of
Mr.. Mylera's Discrimination to be re-
garded as an aspirant but as pointing
quite strongly toward the selection
Ut the gentleman whom he has so
gracefully backed. The two men are
close personal friends at Wausau but
about as far apart politically as it is
possible to get, Mylrea being a roar
ing republican and Silvertho1n a
strenuous and stalwart democrat Of
the ultra free-Gilver stripe. The lat
ter was Gov. Scofeld's opponent in
the gubernatorial contest year
ago and was of course woe
completely, overwhelmingly beaten
that his successful adversary must
even to this day have some tWinges of
remorse over the matter. 1t may be
that this circumstance will influence
the victor to gracious action at this
time.
Mr.. Silverthorn is admittedly one of
the ablest lawyers, perhaps
the ablest lawyer, in north
central Wisconsin. He is a
Canadian by birth. He has resided in
Wausau since 1864 A recognized
leader at the bar in northern Wiscon-
sin, he has been a power in social and
political circles. Though born in
Canada, he came to Jefferson county,
Wis, III his bOyhoOd During the
momentous times of the later SOS
when the struggle was in progress
over the rights Of the states and the
slavery issue, SilVerthorn was a pupil
in the Albion academy, Dane county
Judge Bardeen's old school, too!-af-
terWard taking a partial course at the
Wisconsin university in the same class
with Senator John G. Spooner. Leav-
ing the university he entered the law
Office OF George B. Smith and judge
A. B. Bradley, both now dead, at Mad
i@on. He was a Douglass democra.
when young man during the war and
he has supported democratic tickets
IN all campaigns since, voting eve
for Horace Greeley. Judge SIlyerUhorn
vas III Florida in 1877 when the dem
Ccratic state convention was held
which nominated Judge James 4. Mai
Lciy. Mr.. SilVerthorn supported N
Tory in the campaign, protesting, how
ever, that he was not a fat money
man. Indeed, the municipal court rec
ords OF Wausau disclose the facts a
TO the acquIttal OF Nj. Silverthorn FOL
an assault upon a German-AmerIC..
democrat shortly after the campaign.
The democrat had charged SiIverthorn
to his face with being a greenDack.
and the pugnacIous attorney prompt
knocked him down. The jury acuuit
ted SiIverthorn upon the ground
JustlnaDle proVocatiOn. Since those
days Silverthorn has settled down into
most sedate character, and, if placed
Upon the circuit bench would be GER
tam to troWn upon all belLgerent pro-
ceedings of barristers of a worse de-
gree than knock-down arguments. Mr..
SlIVerthorn was supposed to be
wealthy few years ago, but Gogebic
mining stock is thought to have SWEEP
nearly all his property away.
Attorney General MyIrea has gone
farther than merely writing in Silver
thoTn's interest. He has seen the
latter gentleman, who admitted that
he would gladly accept the appoint
ment if rendered him. The governor
has expressed willingness to do
Whatever the bar of the sixteenth cir
cult unites in asking, and the attor-
ney general has telegraphed to var
ious lawyers at Waus9u and elsewhere
in the circuit suggesting that they
hold a bar meeting and get an express
sion Of preference. He has little
doubt but that very strong endorse
ment for Silyerthorn will soon he
given. The attorney general inciden-
tally reminded the governor Of how
Gov. Peck, a democrat, after he had
elevated Judge Winslow to the SUI
preme bench, had named Frank NJ.
Fish, a republican, as his successor on
the circuit bench: and the attorney
general laughirgly insisted that SEQ
field should certainly 90 Peck one
better and honor his old personal
rival in the campaign for governor.
Aside from Silverthorn the only
other men now mentioned in connec-
ton with the appointment are S. S.
Miller CT Rhinelander, who is q broth
er-in-law Of Judge Bardeen. and z. L.
Bump Of Wausau. both republicans.
Wednesday Gov. Scofeld signed the
commission Of Judge Bardeen as