The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1871-02-17
Fighting Editors.

There is no situation in which Oh editor
appears to less advantage than in that OF
knocking down subscriber. There arc
bsciibers, doubtless. who deserve 10 DC
knocked down, bnt the administration OF
that desert ought in no case to dcvolyc upon
the editor. In some portions Of tho West,
we believe 1t is customary for newspapers
to keep a familiar Colossus lurking about
the premises, to whom aggrieved persons
are politely deferred by the advertising
clerk. This is a judicions distribution OF
tho duties OF the Office. There is better
writing in the attic and better lighting OH
' the ground floor than If the editor in person
assumed both branches of the service. 1t
may be well enough for the editor now and
then to unbcnd his giant mind in q recrea-
tive set.to with an unusually small and ri.
gcon. Chestcl caller, but the professional as
sistant should always stand by 10 resume his
function in case Of q suspension OF the cdi.
torial wind or the demonstration Of unusual
science by the antagonist. A journalist
who has successfully bumped and sat upon
his adversary does not forfeit such claim as
lie may previously have possessed to guide
and direct the opinions OF his readers. But
who would listen to the arguments of a
publicist with All oyster in his cye-who
had himselfbocn badly bumped and boosted:
Nobody but the oyster. O:hellU's occupa.
ton would be gone, and till he had r..
deemed his reputation by chastising par.
s0n, or some similar exploit, nobody would
buy his paper.
The latest editorial collision to which ex-
tensive publicity has been given. took place
in Cincinnati, and on this occasion the cd.
itor was conspicuously victorious. The
victor was Mr.. Murat Halstead, an able and
respectable man, whom we are sorry to
have to compliment upon his muscle. The
vanQuished was q certain Mr.. Lavender.
Him We cannot compliment upon anything
except his prompt and sensible recognition
they have got enough. Lavender did. He
appears to unite the somewhat diverse func-
tons of keeping hardware store and 4
house of evil name. 1t was the rehearsal of
this latter circumstance in the columns Of
Mr.. Halsteads paper which impelled Mr..
Lavender to call upon the editor and made
remarks Of profane and boistcrous char
scter. He said in his haste that all men
were liars, Mr.. Halstead included. Now,
Mr.. Halstead Is not liar, but q very truth
full and high. minded gentleman, descrvedIy
esteemed not in Cincinnati only, but every.
where else where he is known. He said no
word in reply, but abruptly changed tho
policy of his paper. It had hitherto bcen
opposed to assault and battery. He sinote
Lavender upon the weakest portion Of his
constitution, and Lavender dropped. The
subsequent proceedings interested him no
more till he found himself in the store Of 1
neighboring apOtbecary. Policemen were
sustaining him and the clerk was hopping
hiu, with the water which bears his name.
The apothecary. with his nose in tho mortar,
was thoughtfully compromising q restorn.
tive Small boys fnttened their noses
against the windows. Business In tho VI
clnity was generally suspended. Lavender
had fallen back upon his base Of supplies
he determined upon sflsnk movement. He
could not whip his antagonist, but he could
sue him. and he did. He lied to . neigh.
boring magistrate and sent abroad storm
of writs, summonses. and other coercive lc.
gal documents; they descended about the
chair OF tho great Western editor q the
SHOWS dfscend around some giant pine Of
the Saskatchewan. He obeyed their man.
dates, went 10 the Court. followed by "a
cohort of friends. and, to the |
savage 10y of Lavender, was fined $685.
". y. Tribune.