The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1858-06-17

any many scurrllious personalities, and gross
attacks upon leading and influential members of
the Republican party in Cass County, having de-
graded the Cass County Tribune in public estima-
ton, and rendered it no longer fitting organ of
the Republican party an advisory meeting of the
Republican Supervisors and County officers, with
others, members of the party, was held in the
Court House in Cassapols, January 9Th, to consult
upon the course to be pursued under such ciroum-
stances. 1t was the unanimous opinion of those
present at this meeting, that the unjustifable
course pursued by the Tribune for some time pre-
vious, was chiefly owing to the influence and con-
troll of S n. Can't overst,e editorial department
of the paper and that suitable arrangements should
be made, by setting aside that influence to restore
the Tribune to its former standing and usefulness
as party organ. Laboring under this impression,
and actuated by these motives, the meeting passed
a resolution of confidence in james L. CAN'T as
good Republican and an active publisher They
also appointed committee Of Eve, composed of
the following persons, to-wit: Justus Gage, W. G..
Beckwith, Joshua Lofand, C. Shanahan and J.
Osborn, to confer with Mr. CAN'T on the subject of
making such an arrangement as might be mutually.
beneficial to the party and the pecanary interests
| of the paper. Mr.. Shanahan and Mr.. Osborn not
being able to act with the committee, Jesse G.
Beeson and VIM. Sprague were appointed substi-
tutes. All Of these men were friendly to James L.
CAN'T, three of them warmly and personally So
After considerable difficulty and delay, occa-
stoned chiefly by the opposing influence of S.N.
CAN'T, the committee obtained an interview with
james L. CAN'T, with whom an arrangement was
effected by which it agreed, in substance, that
an editor should be associated with James L.
CAN'T, whose services should be paid by the COM
mittee; that in case of disagreement in regard TO
any article proposed for insertion, the question
should be determined by the committee for the
time being. S. n. CAN'T verbally agreed to step
aside, and have nothing more to do with the edito-
rial course of the paper. Justus Gage, who for
two years prior had been connected with the paper
as Agricultural editor, personal friend of James
L. CAN'T, was agreed upon by solicitation of Mr..
CAN'T as associate editor for the time being. This
arrangement was to be continued until after the
next gubernatorial election. With what degree of
faithfulness this arrangement was carried out,
may be seen by an examination of the succeeding
numbers of the Tribune, and in the general con-
duct of S. n. CAN'T in regard to the paper up to
the time of the adjourned meeting on the I'd of
January following. Low scurrility and personal
abuse continued to disgrace the columns of the
Tribune. Not one article of Mr. Gantt's was ever
submitted to the inspection of the associate editor,
and their character unknown to him until after
their publication; and the whole course of Mr..
CAN'T and his father demonstrated what they in
private declared-that they had made the arrange
ment merely as a stroke of policy, which they in
tended to throw off on the first favorable opportu-
nifty.
| At the adjourned meeting on the I'd of January,
had for the express purpose of hearing the report
of the committee in the premises, and for further
consultation if necessary, of which both James L.
Can't and his father were apprised and invited to
attend, it was the unanimous opinion that the ar
rangement had been violated by both father and
son in letter and in spirit, and that it abso-
lutely necessary some further means should be
had to further the interests Of the Republican party
in the County. 1t was therefore
| Rssolred, That the committee be authorized to
procure the publication of newspaper which shall
be the approved organ of the Republican party !;
and out of regard to the interests of James L.
CAN'T, which might be made to suffer in conse-
quence thereof, uegotiations should in the first
place be opened with him for the purchase of the
Cass County Tribune upon fair and liberal terms.
Justus Gage was appointed by the committee to
negotiate with Mr.. CAN'T for the purchase of his
press and paper. The Gantts protested their. will
lingness to SELL but put the price of their Office
about One-third higher than its true value But in
the meantime, having secured as they supposed
the State Printing, and obtained other assurances
of support outside of the party they finally refused
to sell at ALL and published article repudiating
the arrangement previously made with the com
mittee took upon themselves again the exclusive
control of the paper, and set the committee at de-
fiance; but at the time promising to comply in
future with the wishes of the party, as expressed
through the committee, in rendering the paper an
approved and deserved organ of the Republican
party for the County (See Tribune of February
18th and 19th.)
| At this new turn of affairs, the committee held
consultation at which it was agreed to await, and
more fully test the sincerity of these new pledges
of fidelity to the interests of the party and OF COM
mon decorum in the conduct of the paper, before
taking further measures in the premises; but with
what result the succeeding numbers of the Tribune
too fully demonstrated S. n. CAN'T the senior edi
tor in fact repeatedly declared that he would break
down the Republican party at the Fan election,
and James joined his father in asserting in sub
stance that he would not feel himself bound to
sustain the nominations Of the party unless made
in accordance with their wishes and personal ap-
prevail S. n CAN'T declared himself Douglas
Democrat over his own signature in the paper
voted the Democratic ticket at the township cleo
ton; gloated over the defeat of the Republican
ticket in his own township; and continued his un
Unsuitable attacks upon reliable and sound mel
through the columns Of the Tribune claiming still
to be the organ of the party to which they be-
longed. (See Tribune of April 9th.) Under such
circumstances, with no further reliance upon the
stability or fidelity Of the Tribune aparty organ
the committee deemed it essentially necessary tc
carry out the resolutions of the meeting of the I'd
of January, in procuring the publication Of news
paper which should be an approved organ of the
Republican party, and the Cass County REPUBLICAN,
now comes to you as the result of their efforts.
Deeply deploring the state of things by which
such measure has been rendered necessary fol
the support of the party organization, and the sue
cess of its measures, call upon all true Republi
cans to give it their confidence and support.
The press and material of the Cass County Re
PUBLICAN all new and good; the official patron
age of the County has been secured; the editors
I and proprietors come to us highly recommended
2 as active and reliable men; large and rapid,
increasing list of subscribers has been obtained
{ so that we have every assurance that the Gas