The L'Anse sentinel., 1919-04-04
SUPERVISOR NlLSEN
IN OPEN LETTER.


ing certain charges my political op-
ponents are using against me in my
campaign for re- election to the Office
of supervisor. These charges have
appeared from time to time in the u.
p. Farmer, and if / do not answer
them there is possibility that some
people not familiar with local politics
might believe there is some truth in
them.
Perhaps you voters wonder why
Westphal and his paper are SO anx-
ious to defeat me. will tell you.
Last fall when the county printing
contracts were to be allowed by the
county board, ! was approached by
one Of Westphal's friends and he stat
ed that should vote in favor Of Civ
ing the u. p. Farmer the county con-
tract, Westphal would agree to quit
abusing me in his paper. This ! re-
fused to do, hence the continued a
buse. I do not fear Westphal's a
buse, as there is nothing he can truth
fully say that can injure me, but his
LIES can, and am going to answer
them.
He makes charge in the last issue
Of his paper that l said the flag was
a dirty rag" and made other unpatri-
otic remarks. This is contemplate
lie, and l challenge Westphal to pro-
duce one witness who will say that I
ever made such a disrespectful re-
mark. This lie was manufactured
solely for political purposes and shows
to what ends my opponents will go in
order to get few votes. I don't see
how a person can stoop so low for the
sake of a little $3.50 a month print
ing contract.
Regarding my war activities. While
l don't care about mentioning it, and
would not were / not forced to, l can
say this-that the records Of the War
Relief Board will show that l have
contributed five times as much money
as Mr.. Westphal. My payments were
all made when due. At no time was
five months in arrears, as my friend
Westphal appears to have been. Why,
i'll was considered unpatriotic, was !
chosen by the War Board to solicit on
Liberty Bonds, w. S. S., and other
drives? Did not Delore Menard and
myself 60 out time after time, he fur
nishing livery free, and both of us
giving our time on these drives? Have
any of Westphal's candidates gone on
any Of these drives? No. Did ! not
post military registration notices,
serve on the military registration
boards, and do everything could to
help the registrations, free of charge?
Wcstphal makes a claim that my
place of business is a meeting place
of traitors and scandal mongers." !
will leave it to my patrons if they con-
slider themselves traitors, especially
the young men who have been in the
service and who are among my best
customers.
So far Westphal has not directly at
tackled my efficiency as supervisor.
He has said nothing about my tax roll,
and he knows that there is nothing he
can truthfully say against it. How
ever, he still has one more chance be-
fore election to do some lying.
He harps great deal on the $4,000
Zellen decree. He is about the only
one that is complaining; the taxpayers
are not. His grievance seems to be
more of personal one against
Zellen than an attempt to represent
the taxpayers. For the benefit Of
those who do not understand, will
try and explain this matter briefly.
This $4,000 was awarded by the county
board to Zellen several years ago, but
payment was held up on account Of
an injunction. Finally, about three
years ago, during Supervisor Boivin's
term Of Office, Zellen's commenced suit
against the county for payment of
same. Boivin was a member of the
county board when Attys. Rees, Rob-
inson and Petermann, one of the best
law firms in Michigan, were employed
by the county to defend the case. Af-
ter going into the case they finally ad-
vised the county to settle. Prosecut-
ing Attorney Brennan advised the
board likewise, as well as did the Cir
cult Judge. After considering the
matter, the board last year voted Eel
lens $4,000, every member voting yes.
The supervisors acted in good faith in
doing this, and l believe have by SO
doing saved the county several thou
sand dollars in legal expenses and in
interest, should judgment have been
brought against the county. West
phal Immediately took this up as po-
litical issue, not only against me, but
against supervisors in other towns
who did not favor giving him the
county printing.
A few words about my record
When l received the tax roll from Ex-
Supervisor Boivin it was in such con-