Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1899-01-26

divers amount of business transac-
tiOnS in all their varied details as has
Judge Webb during his sixteen years
OF experience on the beuch. True it
is that he has accumulated but small
share OF this worlds goods, and never
could be represented as a wealthy man
but who shall say that this lack of
wealth is a disqualification to be
weighed against one so eminently
trained and qualified to fill the exalted
position now confronting us.
Gentlemen, Judge Webb is a pro-
found student Of, and thoroughly con-
versant with, all the varied and
complicated interests involved in. or
connected with, legislative matters
in this nation, from the highest to
the lowest. He has no unfortunate
entanglementS and alliances with any
OF the great interests of this country
winch could IN any way tend to lead
him away from representing the whole
people. He is man of the people.
without prejudice, and every interest
OF the people from the richest to the
poorest VIII receive his most thought
full and careful consideration.
In my opinion no better busineSt
man than Judge Webb. when that
term is considered in connection with
the knowledge necessary to legiSlate
for business interests, can be found in
the state.
'AlthOugh always interested in the
political affairs of the state and ma
tiOn,J Judge Webb has by reason of his
judicial position been out of active
politics for a number of years. For
this reason he is not connected with
any particular faction of che party,
and has taken part in none of the
contests or differences which have
existed IN the party. All the republic
cans in the state and the supporters
of all other candidates can consist
emily unite upon Judge Webb for
United States senator; while he has
not sought the election, and while he
has held alOOf from active participa-
ton in the campaign, the fact re-
mains that his ability, prObity and
breadth OF character are recognized
by all warning forces, and it is known
that were he senator and a party
leader his action and Judgement would
not be affected by desire for applause
and personal gain.
1--WE appear here and present his
name because we feel that the better
interests of the state and the republic
can party will be conserved by his
election.
A CANDIDACY URGED BY OTHERS.
Judge Webb's candidacy is not
proposed and Waged by himself, but
by those who, knowing the man, are
moved to do so by his sterling worth
and pre-eminent ability, and his ex-
ceptiOnal and peculiar fitness for the
honor we would confer. While not in
different to the effort being made in
his behalf, his high sense of official
duty will not permit him to sacrifice
FOR lower the dignity of the judicial
Office by personal participation in the
contest, notwithstanding the, urgent
appeal Of his friends for his presence
here. Such conditions and this atti-
tude are exceptional in the political
experiences of recent, years. No
reflection is intended or sought to be
cast upon the attitude of other candi-
dates, or the methods by which their
aspirations for political honorS are
advanced. 1t is conceded that every
individual, it he sees fit may advance
his own candidacy and use his personal
efforts to obtain support, actively
participating in the contest. But we
know that the masses of the people
have a strong feeling that for the eX-
allied position OF senator of the great
est nation on earth, the office should
seek the man. and not the man the
| office. They believe that the preva-
lence of the latter practice depriveS
the state of the services of her ablesL
and most deserving citizens. and that
| because Of this the senate of TO-DAY is
not the body it was in former years.
| BY the selection of the distinguished
judge whose name / have the honor to
present, the people will once more feel
that ability and modest worth have
been justly recognized and rewarded
by their representatives here as
sembled, and this without personal
seeking and without influence. except
the noble and righteous influence of
true fitness. They will see and under
stand that we have risen above the
personal feeling and less noble in
| tiuenCeS which so often prevail in
legislative bodies. They will realize
that we as their representatives are
worthy Of the trust repOsed in us, and
that the republican party has again
as it did two years ago. demonstrated
its superiority and fitness as a great
political agency for the promotion of
the common welfare