The Portland daily press., 1884-05-29
made, continue in the same spirit to promote
harmony, fidelity and success.
The Attitude of the Press.


Both of the gentlemen from Brunswick
who addressed the Convention yesterday
freely criticised the course of the PRESS, be-
cause its editor had not placed its columns
at their service to use as they pleased. They
do not know it but they have no more cause
of complaint on that score than the friends
OF Mr.. Reed who can testify, if asked, that
the editor of the PRESS can say s'no" to
those with whose objects be sympathizes as
decidedly as to those who are opposing these
objects.
With Mr.. Thompson's filings and insinua-
tions we shall not concern; ourselves, further
than to remark that his intimation that the
editor of the PRESS has said that "dishonor-
able conduct is not culpable if itreIates to
Post Office" is of a piece with the rest of his
surprising rhetoric. 1t is first to be shown
that Mr.. Reeds conduct is dishenorable,
and the PRESS declines to admit it on the
er pGrte showing of his accusers.
Mr.. Booker's speech set forth in two specifi-
cations the charge that the opponents of Mr..
Reed had had not been able to make the
PRESS their organ, to create dissention in
the party. 1t is true that In the exercise of
his judgment the editor of the PRESS has
not done that, nor will he be likely to do It
at any time. The Argus is the, fit and will.
ling organ of such movements. The PRESS
intends to be hospitable to fair and just dis
cussion, and intends to report accurately all
public events. But the PRESS is edited by
Its editor, and will be, while the incum-
bent continues in that position. He is too
old bird to suppose that his reasons for not
publishing what people desire to have print
ed,or for publishing what they desire to sup
press, will not be sometimes honestly misun-
derstood and sometimes dishonesty misin-
terpreted.
As TO the report of the Brunswick caucus
we printed the certified copy of the resolu
tions sent us by the Secretary. We had two
reports of the rest OF the proceedings and
used one to supplement the other. Our re-
port did not say that the caucus was nearly
broken up; but that it was partially broken
up. TIE Secretary's report did not mention
this, but the other report did, and it ap-
peared reasonable, in view of another fact
not stated by the Secretary, but not yet con-
tradicted, that the number voting for the
resolutions was 11S, about 40 less than voted
for the successful list of delegates. II none
of the 266 who voted for delegates had gone
away. it is clear that only minority of those
present voted for the resolutions. The PRESS
recognizes no obligation TO refrain from pub
fishing what secretaries of caucusses do not
choose to report.
AS to Judge Barrows' communication, al
though it was dated on the 26th it was not
received by the editor until the afternoon of
the 9th and before he had concluded his
days work, he mailed to the writer of it, the
following letter which sufficiently explains
why it was not published, and with 1t we
conclude what it seems necessary to say
now about The attitude of the PRESS toward
the Republicans of Brunswick. If we have
not treated them with proper courtesy it
must be because it is discourteous not TO
agree with them.
Hon. Wl. G. BarTo,Os:
Dear Sir,-While have not the honor of personal
your character and fame that any opinion ex-
pressed by you will command my respectful con-
sderation, and l should be glad to oblige you. But
regarding the communication received from you
today, having reference to article in the PRESS
OF yeste day, permit me to say that am disin-
clned to enter upon any controversy in advance of
the action of the Republican Convention to be
held tomorrow. The article in yesterdays PRESS
would not have appeared but for the fact that
thought it right and fair to publish the resolutions
of the Brunswick caucus and necessary, in doing So
to guard against any inference that the PRESS
approved of the substance tone of that express
sion. I endeavored to do this in way which
would give no just cause of offence to those who
supported the resolutions or elnbitter the feeling
that has unfortunately arisen.
My observation in Washington of the mistakes
which members of Congress are liable to make re-
garding local feeling at their homes, even
when they are most anxious to do right md most
free from selfish motives has taught me to be eau
tious about violently condemning them for mis-
takes of this kind. AS you must be aware the rela
tive number of signatures to petitions for office is
very unsafe reliance frequently indicating only the
activity of applicant in getting the start Of an
other rather than the real preference of the sgner
The aim of my article was to express my sense of
the injustice of violently condemning Mr.. Reed
without any explanation from him, and of The
wrong of imputing to him improper motives and
purposes in an action which believe to be suscepti
BILE of an explanation entirely consistent with his
honor. and his respect for the opinions of the Re-
publicans of Brunswick, even if it was as unfortu-
nate an error as many of them suppose it to be.
Withaome of the sentiments expressed in your COM
runcation conld not QUARREL but it is SO at vari
ance with the spirit in which think differences be-
tween Republicans ought to be considered in the
PRESS that l must decline to publish it, hoping
you will acquit Of any intention of showing per-
senal discourtesy by this decision.
Very respectfully yours,
WALTER ALLEN.