Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1904-08-10

tutiOnal convention. In 1852 he was
elected to the Assembly, and in the fol-
lowing year was q member of the state
Senate, as such taking part in the his
toric Hubbell impeachment trial.
Wisconsin's War Governor.
For two years from January, 1854, he
was lieutenant governor; in 1923 he
was secretary of state, and for the two
years beginning with January, 1864 he
was governor; 1t was the time of the
Civil war. The principle which governed
his administration is embodied in a dec
laration which he made at the time: HE
who is not faithful friend to the gov
eminent of his country in this trying
hour is no friend of mine''
Gov. Lewis Great Work.
Gov. Lewis was interchangeable in for
warding troops TO the front and in con-
tributing to their welfare after they got
there. He visited the Wisconsin soldiers
in their camps and at the hospitals, and
finally secured from the surgeon general
an order transferring Wisconsin soldiers
fastened the recovery of many a Ian
gushing sufferer and saved the lives Of
not a few who would otherwise have
died. He was active in establishing q
home for soldiers orphans. He secured
the correction Of an error by which the
quota of soldiers necessary to be fur
nished by Wisconsin was reduced 1000
He successfully prosecuted claims
against the general government by which
half a million of dollars was restored to
the state. He declined the usual appro-
priation for governors contingent fund,
and in many other ways economical the
expenditure of public money.
Declines denomination.
When his term drew to a close he de-
clined to accept denomination. The
convention finding his decision unalter-
able, adopted a resolution expressing its
regret and declaring its deep sense of
the great efficiency and excellence of his
administration.
Ex-Gov. Lewis has always enjoyed in
high degree the confidence of his fellow
citizens irrespective of party. When
he was candidate for secretary of state
he received every vote cast in the city
ran for the governorship-23,66 4-was
the largest which up to that time had
ever been accorded to any candidate for
any Office in this state, and was never
ecualed until 1890.
Lawrence Confers Degree.
His interest in the cause OF education
has manifested itself in many ways. and
Lawrence university, in recognition of
this, as well AS his personal culture, some
years ago bestowed upon him the degree
of LII. d.
Makes Tour of World.
After retirement from the executive
office, January, 1866, Gov. Lewis devot-
I'd his attention to private business. the
education Of his children the upbulding
Of his home city and the promotion Of
educational and church enterprises. He
also travelled extensively abroad end
throughout the United States. A few
years ago he made tour Of the world
visiting all parts of the Orient and Eu
rope. Since quitting the governorship he
had never sought, but had often declined
public office, but, meanwhile, he has
maintained q keen interest in public af-
fairs, abating nothing within reason that
would promote the success Of the Renuh-
lican party, to which organization he has
persistently adhered since the great war
between the states.
Life-Span Covers Wonderful Period.
His life-span has covered the most
wonderful period in the annals of tbe
world and is almost co-extensiye with
that of the republic itself. Gov. Lewis
was born in the same year with Victoria
and during the first term of President
Monroe. At his birth Washington had
been in his grave scarcely twenty wears.
He has lived under the rule of twenty
two Presidents and enjoyed personal
was seven years old when Adams and
Jefferson died. In his youth he knew
many Of the heroes of the Revolution
and must have known some of the sign
Isers Of the Declaration of Independence,
as youth of today knows him, or as
they know the surviving leaders of the
Civil war.