The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1912-11-22
viii Not Be a Candidate.

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the regret Of the people Of Jefferson
county, as he has given the most nnqual-
SIZED satisfaction The following IS his
statement 10 the County Board:
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen Of the
Board:
[ have asked for the privilege of ad-
dressing you because [ have an announce
ment to make-one which is until this
moment unknown except to the mem
bers of my family-which [ think may
properly be made at this time. and to
your honorable body.
was appointed as County Judge IN
December, 1906, and elected the next
spring to fl out the unexpired term of
Judge Grimm. In 1909 | was again
elected for full term, beginning Jan
uary l, 1910, and ending January 1, 1914.
Another election is to be held next
spring, / have decided not TO be a candi-
date for reelection; and in fairness to
the people, ana to those who may be
thought Of for this important Office,
think it best TO say SO now.
| do not want you to to think that do
not appreciate the high character Of the
office, nor the honor which the people Of
this county have conferred upon me in
keeping me in it. There is hardly an
office in this state which touches The
people at so many points, and whose
or, IcfT inv iobo
honor and usefulness.
Even the routine work in probate mat
tiers, the careful examination, the filing
and preservation Of papers, and the keep
ing Of correct minutes and records, are
If great Importance, net only at the
moment, but to future generations. The
examination Of annual accounts Of
guardians, and cOmpe ling delinquent
guardians to account, involves an
amount of labor not cOmprehended I'M
til performed. The granting or with
holding of child labor permits is as i'm
pOrtant as any function of the office, and
as deserving Of great and conscientious
care. The fixing of inheritance taxes
NOW grown to be an important source
of Tevenue), the commitment Of the in
sane, of the feebleminded, Of tubercular
dependents, Of paupers, Of dependent
children and incOrrigible children, pro
ceedings for the adoption Of children,
guilty, these are but few Of the other
duties laid upon The county judge. Even
greater care is essential than in civil
work, for in civil courts tAe rights Of
parties are protected by counsel, while
in the county court the rights Of those
who are unable to protect themselves
widows, orphans and incOmpetents-are
often dependant upon the court itself,
unaided by the advice of counsel.
In addition to the above the county
court has The trial Of contested matters,
and, in this county, full half at least
of the civil work of the county.
1t is not because I do not like the work
? that have decided not to stand for the
office again. [ am fortunately one OF
those who enjoy life to the full, whether
playing or working, and [ have certainly
enjoyed my work as county Judge. [
may not have brought to the office the
pOmp0sity which some associate with the
judicial function-althOngh the idea
that judge must assume superhuman
intelligence and dignity is fast dying
Out-but | have not been lax in my
practice, as [ think my attorneys viii
testify. [ have had opportunities to co |
operate with other county officers to do
some good not contemplated perhaps by
the statutes. Your last two sheriffs, Mr..
Shower and Mr.. Negemann, and the SUI
perintendent of your county asylum, Mr.,
! VOight, have to their credit the ref0rma-
ton of a number of drunkards-nOW
honorable and seIf-respecting men-whO
were brought before me as insane. q
sometimes wonder whether the work of
the County officials is fully appreci-
ated-hOw many things they faithfully
do, which they might easily slight and
no enc be the wiser, not for their salary,
but because of conscientious purpose.
There is not an office in the County in
which the work and the opportunities do
not call for men of high ability and
character.
The reason why ] take this step are
entirely personal. You are all friends
of mine and | see no reason why should
not be frank with you. So far, I feel
that | have been benefited by the exper-
fence | have had, but should | remain in
this office another term [ fear that the
time in my life would have passed when
could step back easily into the private
practice of law. 1t may be that might
be kept in the office for many years.
but, high and useful as the office is )
that does not appeal to me. Great
things are doing, gentlemen. in the out
side world; things upon which | have
positive opinions; great reforms are
being made, in the realization Of which
| ought to be helping. And 50 [ am
going TO step down and take my place
in the ranks.
Ny associations with this board. both
as County Judge and District Attorney,