Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1885-10-17

The Statesman evades the real
question of opposition to everything
with which Socrates Webster is con-
cerned, and tries to put it in the
light of personal dislike. Our per
sonal likes and dislikes do not APP
pear in THE HERALD, never have
and never will. The files of the
Statesman itself will prove that for
years there has been strong opposi-
ton to Socrates. Websterism in pub
lie affairs. To prove that the oppo-
sition this year has been stronger
than ever, let it be remembered that
the fight for the Fair organization
was made on that ground and that
he only cot in by the skin of his
teeth. Halfof the guarantors asked
for quite new management on
business principles, while few of
the rest wanted him in and were in
favor OF giving him the printing. To
this there was decided opposition, so
much so that when A. j. Thomas,
ESQ.,, was elected President, with
other officers, they refused to serve
and resigned, except the Vice Presi-
dent who was not notified ofhis elec-
ton and was kicked out, a very dis.
honorable act from honorable men,
inaSmuch as he never dreamed of
being elected and did not want if.
The Statesman makes itself officiOus,
to say the least, in talking about in
jury to THE HERALD, when it has
twice the circulation of that paper
and all the work 1t can do, pay
ing its way cash and asking no ia
vors. But otherwise the Statesman
treats MS and the question gentleman.
ly, and we have no desire to be per-
sonal. This assertion we stand on:
that the opposition to Socrate-Web-
ster has been open and manifest for
years, and it is publicly acknowledge
ed that many of our best people are
involved in this opposition. 1t is
openly claimed that failure is invit-
ed and assured by the introduction
of SO much offensive Objectionable.
ness" in every public enterprise
Why continue to sacrifice the public
welfare for individual ends? Are
there not plenty of liberal-minded,
public-spirlted and well-liked men to
put at the head of public affairs p
If men are treated as mean and low
as can be imagined, conld they have
a spark of spirit or manhood about
them if they would have anything
to do with whatever their abusers
are connected? The curse of public
enterprise and public management in
this town, has long been an obnox-
ious personal and political connec-
ton in all that is going on. That
spirit of unity an6 liberaIity among
men is wanting, which would make
everything more successful if it ex-
listed, and it can never exist side by
side with political kickers and per-
sonal abusers. We stand now,-al-
ways have and always ill,-on the
ground of a hearty support to any
public enterprise, gotten up and con-
Quoted in the interest of the public,
and determined opposition to all
factionalism and )auOritiSm in public
concerns, with a one-sided manage
ment of Objectionable "rule or ruin ,"
element, in which Socrates Webster
ISM" towers head and shoulders
above every other object, purpose
or result. Next to publishing a good
local newspaper, half of our success
is due to our advocacy of the peo-
pies rights against this domineering
tendency in politics and public af-
fairs. There we stand, desiring the
line strictly drawn in everything at
Socrates Webster and his hangers
on. We are used to abuse, expect
it and treat it with silent contempt
when it concerns us alone but when
the public welfare is in question, we
are not afraid to speak and act.