The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1850-09-05
JoHNsTowN, Aug. 81, 1850.
Col. j. G.. Given,

My Dear Sir:-Find-
ing in the Mountain Echo of this s,,,v :.
most slanderous, ungentleman!y az, nm
war5an,aole WAR an. ;.a attack upon me, (which
SEND you with tbs letter. l write to ask
Gi you 'ne iavor of permitting me to be
lie1fd before the public of this county,
through the columns of your pa per. The
article to which allude, sir, is,as follows:
"Ihe Inapudeace Of Offcials.-If there
is one thing more than another calculated
to disgust the community with the officious
intermeddlIng of Office holders on the Pub
lie Works, in the local politics of our
county, it is The readiness with which
some OF this class, land we are happy to
say that there are honorable exceptions,)
arrogate to themselves the peculiar privil-
age of regulating the affairs of our people.
There is one office holder who has already
rendered himself notorious, on account of
his impudent interference. We allude to
L. b. CoTTER, Weigh Master at Johns
town Weigh Scales.
"This man Cofter fell down among us.
some few months ago, with commission
in his pocket as Weigh Master. To this
we had no objections; but he had scarcely
taken possession of his post, and, even
before he removed his family here from
the wilds of Potter county, than he COM
menced to "swell OUT considerably as a
politician.
"Now, the democracy of Cambria do
not recognize In this man Cotter, the pos
session OF intellect or political principle to
such an extent, as 10 induce them to bow
TO his opinions or to recognize his author
ity to intermeddle in our local politics
What interest has he in the local interest
oil our democracy, to warrant his setting
| himself up as leader in our midst! five
are to have imported captains, we want
them to possess at least brains to enable
them to act, and sense Of the virtue of
truth to guide them.
''We believe that the public interest re-
qulres our particular attention to the man
Cotter. In accordance with this convic-
tion, we shall, from time TO time, serve
him up" for the information of our read
ers. We are cognizant of some Yankee
tricks" played of, which, when added to
a large collection of "Mdsaachassse,,'
stories, relative to the omnipofence of mis-
political influence "out IN Potter co,snty;''
enabling him to make Judges, heal dis
sentions, &c, will make an inteieresting
history of Uery great man who was born
"down east" afterwards migrated to s.out
IN Potter county," and now in the SER
vice of this Commonwealth, at the pafri-
0tic sacrifice of business worth four
thousand dollars year, for the petty re-
muneration of five hundred"
In the above article [ consider there are
bu. very few points worthy of notice be-
fore all intelligent community; the rest
being but vituperation, abuse and scurrili-
ty, will only, when properly considered,
serve as chastisement upon the author.
| Now, in the very first instance, | en-
tirely agree with the ostensible Editor of
the Echo, and heartily join in the repre-
hension of such an act, especially where
the person has no right to do so. But,
happily for myself, am in no wise guilty
of such censurable course;-but, again, as
Mr.. Smith is Inspector of Cargoes, and
that "upon the public works." and has
not only his person, but press, "regula-
Ting the affairs of our people" | am fear
full he occupies the position Of the dishon-
est fshmoncer.
1t is source Of extreme qualification
to me TO learn that Mr.. Smith had no OBJ
Jections to my "falling down. here, or
discharging the duties of Weigh Master.
But facts instead of assertion that | wa S
thus guilty, would have been far more
creditable to Mr.. Smith.
In reply to the first sentence of the
third paragraph: am fearful we all place
higher estimation upon ourselves than
the public does, but as to political prin-
ciple," l do not ask, (though would
ever be happy to have them entertain a
good One,) ''the democracy of Cambria" :"
to entertain any opinion of me, of any na-
ture,-much less TO "bow" 10 my ..opin-
ions and am fearful Mr.. Smith, (aside
from the semblance of egotism in me- }
would not come off favorably in con-
trast of our course, mutually. As to
the 'interests" may have in the "local
interests" of this county, l have none
further than those common to a we'll
wisher of the cause of Democracy; and
while l deny ''se ting" myself sup as a
leader the right would have to do so,
is the one conferred upon me in common
with the Freemen, not only of Cambria,
but of our Republican Governments; but a
conviction of the fact that the Democracy
of Cambria, like other sister counties were
capable of attending to their own affairs,
has not only restrained me from enter
tanning the feelings of a factious aspirant,
but has induced the reflection in me that
Butler and Blair arc doing their Captain