Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1884-02-06

things, and also in estimating the
number of logs on hand, the book
keeper of a lumber firm takes the re-
ports of the men appointed for such
purpose. The foreman of the camp
could render statement Of the on
ions uneaten, and as regards the logs,
the report of the log scaler is the one
who furnishes the required informa-
ton.
He appears willing to certify to the
report as true without counting what
onions were uneaten, but he seems to
object to swearing to it unless he had
ascertained how many onions had not
been eaten, and had counted every log
between Alpena and Grand Marais.
There is another thing to be con-
sidered. We never asked Mr.. Bill
lings to appear before the court of
public opinion; we never sent him a
summons to render testimony regard
ing the affairs of the Prentiss Lumber
Co. Our remarks were addressed to
Mr.. Prentiss, the head and manager
of the firm, and not to the ok-keep-
err. Mr.. Billings was mentioned be-
cause his name was signed to the re-
port, and we cheerfully correct the
statement we made regarding Mr..
Billings going personally before no.
tary public and swearing that the
report he certified to as true, was true
to the best of his knowledge and be-
lief. Mr.. Billings did not go person
ally before notary public and SO
swear.
Mr.. Billings says Mr.. Prentiss
knows nothing about the above com.
munication. We shall therefore not
refer much to his remarks regarding
Mr.. Prentiss personally, except that
we can not see anything wonderful in
the fact that a man has paid his debts
as far as he is able. Mr.. Billing:
seems to think it somewhat of mir
acle to do what is right
AS regards the question addressed
to the business men of Alpena, as tC
whether they would pay their debts
as far as they were able, we pass over
in contempt. An intimation like thai
does not come with good grace from
the Prentiss Lumber Co., and we be
lieve the business men of Alpenf
would do as much as any member O
the Prentiss Lumber Co., to settle any
debts they may have.
Mr.. Billings thinks newspaper
has no business to interfere with sucl
affairs, but in this particular case, W.
most decidedly differ with him. Tn,
Prentiss Lumber Co. failure affected
the people of Alpena to a consider
able extent, and what affects the in
terests of the people is proper sub
ject for the newspapers. In sucf
cases they act for and in behalf o
the people, and when so backed theil
influence is great, and men and cor
porations do well to heed their warn
ings. In private affairs the news
papers have no right to NEEDLE. TIL,
!, ARGUS certainly does not make ,
rule of so doing, and it is not giver
to prying into private affairs, or pub
fishing things that are not for tn,
public. 1t does not pretend to b.
infallible, but so far has endeavorec
f to do its duty, honestly, fairly, anc
, without prejudice. In the Prentis
matter it believed the affairs thereo
, were matters that deeply concerned
the people Of Alpena, and it believed
that they desired to have the affair
of the company shown up. When w
thought the proper time had come
and the condition of the affairs of th
Prentiss Lumber Co. had been ascer
, tanned, we, for and in behalf of thu
, citizens of Alpena, as their attorney
: issued q summons for Mr.. Prentiss t,
, appear before the court of public
opinion and render statement of hi
: stewardship. In furnishing tina
f statement we believe that Mr.. Prem
tiss did wise act. He rendered hi
g account, and showed that the firm
losses were caused by the failure o
5 certain lumber firms, and by losse
: on logs got out at Lake Superior, ant
, RATED to his mill in this city. IF sucl
, q call as we made was not supported
t by the public, it would have n,
weight, being neither more nor les
: than single individual demand. w
acted in that transaction with unin
f terested motives, except that of serv
ing the people, whose servant W,
: claim to be; and in the future, whel
the public welfare is concerned, W,
trust that we shall always be ready
, to plead their cause and fight theil
, battles.
Public opinion in this country il
not to be sighted, and when Wander
bilt was credited with the remark
about the public be damned" h,
, soon was made to feel the effect there
of, and fastened to deny it. Thai