Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1874-11-20

that l.. L.. Alnsworth, the Sd District
new NJ. c., was intoxicated just pre-
vious to the election IN Fayette coun-
ty. While at West Union last week
we took pains to investigate to see if
we had made mistake in copying
the statement. Such appears to be
the fact. We found evidence that it
was not so, and hence we make haste
to recall the item. We do so all the
sooner because Mr.. Ainsworth is not
of our political faith; we believe in
fair dealing, and no false pride shall
ever restrain us from correcting
wrong impression inadvertently or
unjustly made.
The above is from the Waukon
Standard of two weeks since. In
the Fayette County Union of last
week we find the following adden-
da:
Now let the Independence BuLLE-
TIN acknowledge its error, and be
more careful of its statements in the
future.
The Conservative must have its
say, also, and characterizes the state
ment that Mr.. Ainsworth was drunk
the day before election, ca mean and
dirty attempt to make political CAPT
tai"
Now, we have no special desire or
motive to fasten upon Mr.. Ainsworth
the particular instance of inebriety
referred to. It is not needed to inform
those who know him intimately what
are his habits in this regard. But
we do net propose to rest under the
imputation of having made reckless
and scandalous charge against that
gentleman without sufficient author
ity, and for base purpose. The
statement in the BULLETIN, that Mr..
Ainsworth was intoxicated at May
nard the day before election, was
given us by Mr.. E. 7. Older, one of
the most respectable citizens of Fay
cite county, a gentleman well known
in this vicinity, whose reputation for
truth and integrity is not questioned.
The statement was not sought by us,
but was given freely and voluntarily
to us, as to, probably, score of other
parties in this city. The statement
of Mr.. Older was not based upon
common talk or rumor in the vicinity,
but upon what he sa,o acith his oacn
eyes. Neither was his observation OF
Mr.. Ainsworth's condition merely
casual and passing. He stated that
he was with him for some time, in
fact, rode with him from Fayette to
Maynard, and from this contact was
able to make the deliberate statement
that on that occasion Mr.. Ainsworth
was intoxicated. We might add the
reports from other quarters confirm
atory of Mr.. Older's statement, and
given full credence by great many
citizens Of Fayette county, but as
they do not come to us from first
hands we say nothing about them.
In opposition to this direct and
positive statement by truthful eye
witness, we have the opinion of Mr..
May, of the Waukon Standard, an
equally veracious and respectable
witness, stating that, from evidence
submitted to him at West Union,
he is now convinced that Mr.. Aims
worth was not intoxicated on the oc-
casion referred to. We have not a
particle of doubt that our friend May
is thoroughly honest and sincere in
the matter, but we submit to Bro.
McClintock, of the Union, That we
cannot be influenced by the mere
opinion Of Mr.. May in the face of
the positive statements Of an eye
witness of the facts. 1t will be time
enough to acknowledge our error
when proofs are produced showing it
to be an error. The evidence sub
mitted to Mr.. May has not been
shown us, or brought to our knowl.
edge in any way save by his article
above. Until we come to the knowl.
edge of facts contravening the first
statement, We respectfully decline to
accept our friend McClintock's invi.
tation to take anything back. We
are open to conviction, however, and
it would give us more pleasure to
publish facts showing that Mr.. Aims.
worth was guiltless Of the use OF
whiskey in any manner in the late
canvass, than statements of con.
trary nature.
We dismiss the matter for the
present with the one remark, that in
view of facts well known to the peo
pie of his own county. the assumed
indignation of the friends of Mr.
Ainsworth over this particular sug
gestion of dissipation at Maynard, is
supremacy ridiculous.
Rather Sharp Practice.