Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1882-12-02
NORTHERN TRIBUNE.
SATURDAY. DECEMBER 2, 1882.
That Clifford Business.

The editor Of the Democrat says we
did not question the truth of his item in
the TRIBUNE, here where all the witnesses
are known. 1t was for this very reason
we did not mention it. We did not care
one iOta for what the editor of that sheet
said about us personally here at home
where the facts are known, and whereas
he claims all the witnesses are known. 1t
is we'll known fact, Notwithstanding
he claims to hold no spite against
us, that he has manifested the
greatest spite towards the writer
and has not hesitated to publish
the most glazing falsehoods,
statements that every person knew to
be false. In communication to the
marine editor of the Free Press the
writer distinctly stated that he insisted
on the Collingwood boats landing at the
dock on which the Office of customs was
located, and gave the reason, viz: AS
inspector it was my duty to examine all
baggage landed from these boats. 1t
was my custom in order not to dis
cOm0de the officers or delay them any
longer than possible, to allow the bag
gage to be landed at Macarthur Smith
& Co.'S warehouse, the manager thereof
promising not to allow any Of it to be
removed until after it had been ex-
amined and passed. Frequently in such
instances the parties would stray off up
street and would not be on hand after
the officers of the boat had reported. and
when would be ready to examine the
baggage. Once or twice under such cir
cumstances baggage was allowed by the
men in the warehouse to be taken away
without being examined, 1t was then l
insisted that the boats should land at
the Central dock, at my office and leave
the baggage where / could have per-
sOnal charge of it. There was not cent
to be made out of it for any person, as no
charge was ever made for storage or
handling; the contrary, it only made my
work the more labOriOus, as I had to as
sist In handling all baggage. This was
all the bulldozing there was, and when
arrangements were made by Mr.. john
son, manager of Macarthur, NTH & Co.'S
dock to have the baggage deliver
ed at the upper warehouse the matter
was settled. The utter unfairness of our
contemporary is shown in regard to the
card of P. H. Mcdonald published this
week, which states that it arrived in
time last week to appear in that paper,
but by mistake was handed into the TRI-
BUNE office. thereby charging US with
retaining the same until it was too late
for them to publish it, when the facts
were it was handed them within less
than half an hour after being received,
and the editor could have easily ascertain
ed the facts if he had so desired, but facts
would not suit his purpose and evidently
were not what he wanted.
In regard to the tug Clifford there was
just enough foundation of fact for him
to grasp and allow his imaginative
genius full play, and he embraced the
opportunity. Before the Clifford COM
menced running was ready to measure
her and have them make the necessary
applications for papers. but they repre-
sented they were without funds and asked
that they be allowed to earn some money
to enable them to pay the necessary fees.
While having no authority to do so, and
telling them so, consented in order to
accommodate them, andithey went up on
the inland waters where the tug has
been most of the time, until this fall,
which fact all know. 1t Is true they
came to me at two different times asking
If could measure her but at the times
mentioned was 80 situated that could
not attend to 1t right away, and they did
not wait. The editor of the Democrat is
welcome to make all he can out of the
case If he will only steer as near the
truth as he possibly can, and publish the
facts as they are, and not as he would like
them to be. do not care for his
criticisms either in my official capacity
or as connected with the TRIBUNE. Here
in Cheboygan where he is known, his
opinions or criticisms have no weight.
His unfair treatment Of many of our
leading citizens is well known, and his
utter disregard Of truth in many cases
only shows the venom of the animal.
G. E. Tibbott has received his new in
struments and is now prepared to make
photographs equal to the best.