Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-11-24

Ions vary as to the strength the various
candidates will have, but there seems
to be an opinion prevalent in different
parts of the state that Cooks chances
are less than they were believed to be 6
few weeks ago and that the contest vii
be between the other four with present
chances about in the order of Stephen.
son, Babcock, Quarles and 1Webb
However, of one thing the people are
certain, that whoever of these distin.
guished gentlemen is chosen, the state
| will be ably and faithfully represented
Wausau Record: The writer, who
has made something Of an effort to dis
cover the lay of the land, has lea1 ned
that no man in Wisconsin stands higher
in the estimation of the people who
know him than does Judge Webb. He
is man of broad views, firm convic.
tions and unquestloned integrity, and
years of association with public men in
the political arena and in the courts
have given him wide acquaintance.
Thus 1t comes about that, without
organization, movement has sprung
up and increased iE force until it has
claimed public recognition, and it is
worthy of careful consideration.
The friends of Judge Webb do not
feel that their advocacy of his election
to the senate need be taken as refec-
tion upon the ability or qualifications of
any ayowed candidate. They are all
excellent men, hut it is believed that
none of them is in a position to unite
all elements of the party, and heal the
differences that have of late threatened
disruption. Judge Webb has been on
the circuit bench for fifteen years; he
belongs to no faction and no machine
claims his allegiance; he is in position
to give respectful bearing to any who
may have measures to present to him,
and it is his nature and has been part
of his education to practice judicial
impartialitv.
The Wausau Central after publishing
Judge Webb's personal statement in
regard to his candidacy makes the fol-
lowing comment: "Heretofore the Judge
has not spoken, at least for the public
and all who know him, know that no
one of his many friends would speak
for him without his express authority.
But now that he has, the seal of silence
has been broken and the cloud of doubt
and uncertainty has been blown away,
and he is now fairly and honorably
before the people as a candidate for the
high office. The Office is an honorable
and important ore to Wisconsin and
the nation, and no one possessing the
qualifications would decline it if ten
dered to him, and hence as the Judge
said in the interview quoted above
"There are but verv few men, however
who, if offered seat in the senate Of
the United States, would refuse it,
We have personally known Judge Webb
for upwards of thirty years, and can say
of him, as all who know him intimately
can say, without in the slightest degree
disparaging the qualifications or claims
of any of the honorable gentlemen here.
tofore announced as candidates for the
office, that he is in many respects re.
markable man. He is modest and
unassuming in his outward appearance
and bearing towards men. Courteous
to all, firm and unfaltering in his per
sonal attachments and hence his friend.
like and admire him. That he is mar
of ability all who know him will admi
"a cultured, dignifed and able jurist
an honorable and public spirited citizer
and it may safely be said of him, thai
should the legislature deem proper tt
elect him to the senate of the United
States, Wisconsin will have anothe
able senator in that dignifed body.