Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1882-04-01
VERY DIsINTBBRs TBD ~

The Statesman manifests a won
/ derful interest in the Herald, They
are as closely allied as were the
Siamese twins. We presume the
wondrous kindness exhibited results
from q fellow feeling, NC.
The truly good man of tbs States
man is so horrihed at the article Of
"Tax Payer, which appeared in the
last INDEPENDENT, that he makes
an extract from it, puts it in italics,
heads it IAN Invitation to Leave"
and plants an index at each end Of
the line. He chen comments in
double-leaded type, and with his
powerful pen proceeds to defend his
friend Rely against-well, nothing,
II Mr.. Reilly got hurt in his con
troversy, he deserved all he got. Mr..
Reilly set himself up as a public
teacher, and in the discussion OF
matters that he knew nothing about
put his foot in it," and Tax
Payer" took occasion to expose his
ignorance. Mr.. Reilly took it upon
himself to declare that there had
been no Guaranteeing ability displayed
by the eleven men who compose the
present corporation officers; he de-
clared that they had not properly
managed affairs, and wound up by
characterizing the town "AS A
PASTURING GROUND FOR
HOGS AND CATTLE, AND A
BARNARD FOR GEESE AND
FOWLS"
In reply to this Taxpayer" very
properly, and, we think, justly.
replied as follows:
"a man who would make such
an unqualified false statement as the
above, and have it 90 out over the
country to the injury of his town, il
uot the kind of a man that those who
have real interests here would care to
nave atty discussion with Thi k OF il.
property owners, You who are interested
III having your town appear in its true
nght abroad. What will strangers who
n We never been here think, if they hap
pen to read 10 a paper published IN our
town. that Martinsburg is nothing but
'pasturng ground for hogs and cattle,
and barn-yard for geese and fowls"
That is a pleasant invitation for people
70 come here. 1t is wonder that this
esthetic gentleman, when he came here
aud discovered such dilapidated state
Of affairs, did not seize his grip-sack il
disgust, and slide out on the first train. y
Is there anything in the above
inviting Mr.. Rely to leave. Why
didn't the Statesman publish the
entire extract Its labOred attempt
to misconstrue the sentence which
it quoted, only shows its animus
We care nothing about that.
But isn't it a little, just little,
queer that the Statesman should now
be trying to force itself into posi-
ton where it can be the proud
champion of the rights of "carpet
baggers ?" Its conversion has been
sudden, but we hope it is both sin
cere and permanent.
1t has not been many years since
the INDEPENDENT had to slash the
Statesman about its abuse of strang
ers coming into our State. 1t has
not been so long since its TRADES
against "carpet baggers" was loud
and fierce. Even one of the editors
of this paper, who came to this town
from his native State of Mary land,
came in for share of abuse on
account of not being born here. The
Statesman has a short memory. A
few extracts from it's old files might
brighten it. Perhaps if it was
actuated more by desire to be just
and right, than by its inordinate
selfishness, spleen and hate, it might
the better subserve the interests of
the public snd not be so liable to
parade its own Inconsistencies.