Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1899-01-18
LABUWI, EFT AL.
A"o Dooge County ImbrogliO-Disgra Ie-
tul Tactics Pursued Against
Sheriff Lehner

A whole volume might be written
on the political deviltry of Dodge
county politicians for the past thirty
hVe years, but it is doubtful if the
county ever had a more determined
gang of political tricksters as those
VINO are now using every means with
In their power to defeat the expressed
will of the people.
+. j. Labuwi, who, by the grace of
the Republican party and the politi-
cal landslide of 1896 was elected
sheriff of Dodge county, is legally
out of job, but is seeking by ques-
tlonable methods to prolong an lille
gal official existence
Michael Lehner is his successor,
having been awarded the Ger, ificate
OF election, his official bond accepted,
and $500 voted to his credit, as is the
usual custom in such cases. At the
proper time Lehner took possession
OF the sherlff's office, and demanded
OF Labuwi the books and papers be-
longing thereto. The ex-sheriff refused
to surrender them on the ground that
the new incumbent was not legally
elected, and his surrender of the Of
hce might compromise his bondsmen.
Aehner's friends offered to furnish an
indemnifying bond of 800, 900 to pro-
tect LabuwiS bondsmen against anv
possible danger of loss. but Labuwi
refused the offer, claiming that it
would not be prudent, AID might in
VolVe his friends in endless litigation.
The following, briefly, is what led
up to this contentious: Marcus Sterr,
one of Labuwi's ex-deputies, entered
complaint charging Lehner with
bribery, in having promised to ap-
point him under-sheriff in the event of
Lehner's election. 1t is also charged
that Lehner did not receive majority
OF the votes pOlled, but that O'Connor
was legally elected sheriff. The last
Item IN the complaint is that the date
on Lehner's naturalization papers was
falsifed.
As to the first charge, it appears
that Sterr is willing to incriminate
himself in the violation of an cleo
tlon law, but as rule the evidence Of
a self-confessed particeps criminis
does not secure much credence in a
court of justice, and especially so
when it is of a vindictive nature
Secondly, there were some thirty bal
lots, cast in the Waupun precinct,
which were the occasion of some doubt,
but the inspectors finally concluded
That O'Connor was not entitled to
them. The decision of the board
having been unanimous, and there be-
ing no objection offered from any per-
son, the action of the inspectors was
final, and there is no going behind
the returns. And lastly comes the
charge that the date in Lehner's nat
urallzation papers was changed SO as
to bring him within the legal time to
qualify for Office. This is looked upon
as a weak and silly subterfuge, and
In all probability the complaining
witness does not believe it himself.
What has led up to this state of
affairs? Some believe that it is be-
cause the political ambitions of young
Mr.. Labuwi were not sufficiently re-
Quilted, and others that the allure
ments and emoluments of official po-
sltlOn Obscured his better Judgment.
He was candidate for the Republi-
can nomination for secretary of state;
made a losing fight for the delegation
from the First assembly district of
Dodge county, and experienced the
modification of attending the state
convention without a delegate to his
credit. Chagrined at such a turnin @
down, he may have determined to
get even with somebody on the first
opportunity, and Michael Lehner hap
pens to be his innocent victim.
Mr.. Labuwi, you are young man
yet, and will find in time that honesty is
as necessary in a political as in a busi-
ness sense. Drop out of this ungal-
liant and unfortunate muddle as quick
ly as possible, and try and regain in a
measure some of the friends who took
a pride two years ago in assisting a
young lad to capture the best Office
in the gift of the voters of Dodge
county.
Since the foregoing was put in type
we learn that the contest has been
suddenly ended by Judge Barney, who
issued an order on the 10th directing
Labuwi to vacate the office, and de-
liver over all books and papers with
in forty-eight hours, or be committed
to jail.
HALF RATES TO SIOUX FALLS, S. d
For the annual convention, National
Creamery Butter Makers, association, at
Sioux Falls, S. D., January %. to 20, 1899, the
Chicago, Milwaukeel& & ST. Paul railway will
from January q to "a sell excursion tickets
to Sioux Falls. S. D. Returnl at one fare for
the round trip. Return Limit January.3l