The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1879-06-05
MIR, WHITE AND THE CITY
PRINTING.


proved recreant to trust, to rush into
print in vain attempt to justify them
selves. MIR. White is not an exception
to the general rule, either in the desire
to give publicity to his views or III the
result achieved through extending infor.
nation to the public. The matters he
discusses are rs german to the question
in issue as a dissertation on the tenaets
of Brahnla would be at a political caucus.
What connection can there be between
the manner IN which former republican
papers of the city were conducted and
the refusal of the board, now to save the
city an item of expense amounting to
S225. The man who attemps to justify
the one by an allusion TO the other, is
either incapable of understanding what
constitutes argument, or is seeking TO
divert attention from his own acts which
VIII not bear close scrutiny. Mr.. White
Is ANXIOUS to bring the discussion to bear
upon Mr.. Rankin and Mr.. Borcherdt.-
The city has no interest whatever in these
individuals. Mr.. White has no business
to introduce their names, and we do not
propose to fly off on q tangent with him
to discuss the merits of either gentlemen.
Mr.. White himself, is not an emblem of
constancy in political matters. His mem
DRY is not so defective that he cannot call
to mind his support of democratic nomi-
nees, with all the Incorporate zeal of a
new convert. a man capable of enter
tanning extreme views on either side of
the line dividing parties, may we'll have
his sincerity questioned. Mr.. White
Wanted his new born zeal in the cause
of democracy by appearing as delegate
in a democratic caucus. With such a
record of vacilation in principle, silence
rs to the want of consistency in others is
strongly suggested as the proper thing.
Mr.. White complains that we have
selected him tout of the body of the
council" as a subject for personal attack.
Mr.. White or no other man who has had
his actions reviewed in these columns
can truthfully say that he was assailed
without provocation. We disclaim that
placidity of temperament which would
not resent an attack. If Mr.. White COM
plains OF personal attacks he must not
forget that he was the first offender If
a man wishes to pass through life I'M
scathed, he must curb his propensity to
inhict blows. 1t is humanity and mean"
for a belligarent to ask his opponent to
take blows without returning any.
And now that Mr.. White has appealed
to the people for favorable Judgment on
his course, we shall see to it that he goes
before them with his Inconsistencies
chick upon him." When he moved to
lay the proposition of The PILoT on the
table, he gave as a reason for his action
that he wanted to give other papers an
opportunity TO put in bid, and thus
further reduce the expenses of the city.
We DO not speak from hearsay in this
as we were present at the meeting of the
council referred TO. Mr.. Whites method
of encouraging competition may seem
singular to the intelligent reader, but
then ''ne works in 6 mysterious way his
wonders to perform. . Subsequently Mr..
White moved to lay another proposition
OF THE PILoT on the table, which offered
to do the work for S25. His late ardor
in the interests of economy was consid-
erably cooled and he then was in favor
of giving the city printing to the Tribune
at the same rates given when THE Pilot
was monopoly, and Mr.. White hates q
opoly as cordially as a granger does.
Let us see to what extent THE Pilot,
as monopoly" was injurious to the
interests of the city. When there were
four papers published in the city, the
city board chose two republican papers
as the official papers of the city, paying
full legal rates, 60 cents per folio. There
was no newspaper monopoly" in the
city at that time and Mr.. Whites fears
had not taken form. Subsequently the
rates were reduced to As cents per folio,
and there was no call for a monopoly"
When The PILOT was the official paper
and the only English paper in the city,
a charter was adopted, which very poper
ly reduced the expense Of printing $50
Mr.. White then became harassed by Wis
ions of monopolies. In order to limit
the power of a monopoly which drew less
from the city treasury in proportion tc
the work done, than any other English
paper, Mr.. White proceeded to raise
another monopoly" at the expense OF
the city. He proposed to give to the
Tribune the amount given to THE PInol
OF necessity, through virtue of its being
monopoly. He says that the board
will only pay the Tribune ''fair price
for work rendered" But ''the fair price
when paid to The PILoT was price
forced through the power of ''mono
poly"
Mr.. White is q lawyer and we shall
present some legal facts for his edifca
ton, showing the power any paper has t.
charge outrageous prices for publication
of legal notices. The board of aldermen
are empowered by the charter to fix rate
for city printing and they are forbidden
by it to pay more than legal rates. l
would seem that any paper has but ver1
little to do with fixing the prices to be
charged. More cannot be paid thai
legal rates, and when these were paid
Mr.. Whites silence indicated his appro
val. How any paper can be injurious t.
the interests of the city as monopoly
when the contract price is fixed by tn
party said to be injured. it remains 70