, 1877-06-23
The Post On7ce and Personal
journalism.

OOAIUdIISUIs
What interest has the public in
knowing the personal habits and
characters of the editors of their
news papers any more than they
have in the personal peculiarities of
their tailor or shoemaker, in their
personal relation with whom the
character and price of their work
is the only consideration? Who cares
to know that the editor of "the only
literary and scientific paper in
Washington Territory" the man of
advanced ideas," is an intolerable
bore IN every society in which he
can force himself, with an inodorous
b. cath which he persists in breath
ing in the face of all with whom he
comes in contact. thus forcing them
to subscribe for his paper to escape
from his disgusting opportunities.
What matters it to the readers of
the DISPATCH that its editor is old
or impecuneous, if his writings are
either instructive or amusing? His
work is all they contract for in ia
king his paper. Yet there is a class
of editors characterized by Horace
Greeley as ''small creatures" who
have given the press of this coun-
tr. an unenviable notoriety for
its vulgar personalities, in meeting
every issue not upon its merits but
by vituperative personalities.
A case in point:-We had occas-
ion to make a brief defence of Mr..
Carr, the Deputy Postmaster Of
this city, who was charged directly
and by implication by the Snoho-
mish Star, with having in violation
of his official oath, delayed the
delivery of said paper or suppress
ed its circulation through that Office
and with having committed this
crime at the instigation OF uuder
the direction of a religious combi-
nation in this city, organized under
the lead of Rev. Daniel Bagley,
for the purpose Of preventing or
embarrassing the circulation of the
Star. This was no ordinary accusa-
ton to bring against a public officer
whose integrity had never before
been assailed, and whole commu-
nifty of professed Christians. We
did no more than defend Mr.. Carr
upon the ground of uniform good
character and the religious portion
of the community in general terms,
showing the improbability of such
combination for the purpose of
suborning perjury and malfeasance
on Office; in the same manner as we
would defend tke same persons
against the charge of arson or bur-
glary committed for the purpose of
promotiny the cause of Christianity.
In reply to this, nearly three col
umns of the Star, in three seperate
articles are exclusively devoted to
assalling the personal character of
Beriah Brown. First, we are accus-
ed of bargaining with Mr.. Bagley
for making this defence for consid-
GRAFTON. To this we have only to
reply, that we had no communica-
tion with Mr.. agiey, or any other
man, directly or indirectly on this
subject, or no understanding with
him or any one else as to the course
of our paper on this or any other
public matter. Next we are charged
with jumping the Democratic party"
and pursuing such devious politi-
cal course as to lose the confidence
of both political parties. If to de-
clare our independence of par
ty dictation, without sunender-
ing particle of our personal indie
pendence has lost us the con-
fidence of both parties, the
sentiment is mutual. Had we been cun>
trolled by policy. our course would
have been different and undoubtedly
paid better; but we chose independence
rather and! NO one can truthfully say
that personal interest has ever swerved
us hair from the advocacy aud ex-
preston of our own independents opln-
ions. We hope the time may never