Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1899-03-29
"FELIX."

week. How extremely modest "Fe-
llx'' is growing is well set forth in the
following lines:
elf | were to reply in kind to the
article in this weeks REPUBLICAN l
presume The Times would very
properly decline it's publication on
the ground that it was not befitting a
respectable newspaper. / lack both
the inclination and ability to cope
with anyone in that species of con-
troversy."
This will be refreshing information
to those who have known Felix" and
his methods for over a quarter of a
century. Felix has occupied more
/ space in the columns OF the newspa-
pers than he is entitled to. But he
has not confined himself to newspapers
alone. He has had to take advantage
OF the hand-bill route. 1t is not so
long since the virtuous Felix" dis
trlbuted circulars in abuse of a resi-
/ dent OF this city whom he imagined had
thwarted his political ambition. 'sFe-
llx' was pardOned for this little indis-
cretlon, and afterwards rewarded
with lucrative position. Now, what
gratitude did this truly good "Felix"
return for the kindness extended to
him? Did just as it was expected he
would do-did his level best to in
duce Republi can voters to scratch"
one of the candidates who had as
sisted him but such a short time be-
fore.
''He speaks of Felix and his friend
as if they are two distinct individuals,
and elsewhere in his article tire is
| them as only one. This leaves US in
doubt as to who is Felix and who is
his friend"
..Felix" himself does not appear
be In any doubt as to the identity of
the person who is occupying the dual
| role of 'tFelix" and sshis friend. :"
And there is hardly person in the
| community who does not know, either,
as the sobriquet of ''Felixn is fast be-
coming a household word in the com
munity.
Farther along "Felix'' writes:
CHE REPUBLICAN writer has occa-
sion to remember one instance, at
| least, when my influence was sought.
at time when his fate as deputy col
lector hung in the balance, and | had
it In my power to prevent his appoint
ment if | had chosen to exert it, :"
etc.
Here are three inaccuracies that
need corrections: Firstly, the infiu-
ence of Felix" was not sought in the
matter; seco' ily, the gentleman who
was appoi' collector was obliged
to a1o' oever Senator Spooner
sla( place; and, thirdly, ssFe-
lix'> exert his powerful sin
fioc Sc" to have the then Demo
| cra &C incumbent retained in the Of
| fee. This is not to be wondered at,
but the brazen cheek of Felix"
might occasion surprise if his dark
lantern practices were not so well
known.
Again ''Felix' says:
''My only aim has been to show up
the Inconsistency of that sheet, which
l did clearly, pleasantly and satisfac
torily. This was purely legitimate,
and there is no cause for complaint on
the score of unfairness. It's editor
should not fly into a passion. He
must have been hit hard or there
would not be such a terrible squirm-
ing"
How easily ''Felix" fatters himself!
How he must have lolled back in his
easy chair and chuckled with fiendish
glee at the very thought of how he
made the editor of this paper gyrate
in agony from the effect of this latest
stab! But Felix" does not believe
word that he has written. The editor
has had no occasion to fly into pas
sion, he is not built that way; in fact,
he feels more sympathy than revenge
| for the miserable ENHANCEMENT ssFe
lix" rather inadvertently got himself
into. "Felix" has the unhappy facul-
| ty of creating a disturbance when
ever we have a political campaign,
| local or general. He is sure to be
on the trail of some brother Repub-
lican for some fancied offense, and he
is bound to have his scalp. Now,
| Felix" this is all wrong. You
should be a tower of strength to your
party, instead of a draw back, and
use your intellect and influence to
wards it's upbuilding. The official
position you occupy is an honorable
one, and if you cannot conscientiously
be of benefit to your party it is in bad
taste to strive for it's destruction. You
may not be aware of this, and we
commend the suggestion to your
thoughtful consideration. A govern
ment establishment in a city is gen.
orally looked upon as of some prac-
tical advantage to the party in power,
or at least not an injury. Of course,
it is not expected its officers will vio-
late the civil service law by a sper-
nicious activity in politics, but they
can at least refrain from providing
the enemy with ammunition. But
the old craft started out rather in
auspiciously, one congressman having
| lost his official head in consequence
of it, and with promising possibility
L. f1k