George S. Bangs to Richard Yates

Aurora Dec. 14th 1864.

Dear Governor

Do you not think it would be well to let Fuller be the Speaker without making any opposition to him on the part of your friends. I think Randalls vote (of DeKalb) will be controlled by Fuller and perhaps one or two others in the North. From my stand-point I think it would not be best to make war upon him, especially if there is any probability that he will go for you. I think I heard Mort C. & Pitt R say that he must be beaten. If there is any doubt about him, I think that he can be made to go for you by your friends in this district; first by treating him well and then demanding that he work with the rest. If you think best I will start his name in the Beacon for Speaker and go to work to get him through. There are several members that are strongly for him (Hopkins of Grundy, for instance) who are for you, but their ardor may be cooled if you or your especial friends go against him.

I send you an article from Haines Legal Advisor just published. You will see that he is for Washburn. I think the member from Lake will go with him. I would like to take a rip at Haines over this article as in connection with what he said to you about the resolution of the Second Dis Congressional Convention, and also the letter that you gave, recommending him for nomination to the Legislature over Bladget. If you think that it will not do more hurt than good, I will make the drive, and I think we can stamp him with a mark that he will carry for life. One of the silliest things you ever did was that of giving him a letter at all. All the enemies you have in Lake was made by it, and this article shows that he never was for you. Bladget is the only man

in Lake that has any brains---that is to say he is the best man in the county. An acquaintance of mine that sleeps in Haines office in Chicago tells me that it is a kind of Head-quarters for consultation with those in Washburns interest. The same friend writes me that he thinks that they have some encouragement from some members in [Ingersols?] Con. Dis. that one of the proprietors of the Peoria Transcript desires Washburn's election. That John M Bryant of Princeton, will be drawn to the support of Washburn if possible, and that through him they hope to control one or more members. You of course have looked this ground all over, and know what to hope and what to fear.

Will you write me what you think about the Fuller and Haines matters and also how the question looks as to final result. Will Palmer be a candidate. I see that the Bellville paper is out for him.

Yours,

Geo S. Bangs

Bangs George S.

Aurora Dec 14th 1864

Would it not be well to let Fuller have the Speakership & to get your friends to support him as such. He thinks some of the members (Hopkins for instance) who are your supporters are for him. If you think proper, he will come out for him in the Beacon for the position. He thinks this will get Fuller in your favor & that he can controll the vote of some of the members. Encloses an article from Haines paper in Washburne's favor. If you think it practicable he would like to make a drive at it, in connection with a letter which you wrote recommending him over Bladgett &c

Is advised by a friend that Haine's office is in Head Quarters for Washburn men &c