Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-09-23
Mr. ]. M MASON.
Some Inside History That il Very Damag.
ing II True.

t.". GF ffF.|Hl tHQ...
But the Index cannot be de,
ceivsd. either by his hypocritical warfare
upon political bosses, his ~dsmagogical ap.
peals 10 popular prejudices or By mis- mis-,
representations and s~pecious falsehoods, as
10 his resi- aims and purposes. We have
su.icIeut information for the assertion that
his paper Is but the outgrowth OF an unsuc,
Cesstul attempt to suoorn and ori5e the
State press TO an advocacy of his views con
|csrniug this sc-cslled debt. We have refer,
sLce 70 propositions made by him less
than a year ago to q majority OF the
newspapers Of the State 70 publish for pay
MS plausible arguments in behalf ut his
debt scheme. Mr.. Mason vas then, as he
: now. interested in educating the people -
HIs first lessons were so easy and apparent
y harmless that many OF the papers &C
Cepted his syndicate 5 money and spread De
fore the people me a b c Of his primary edu-
cation. One OF these primary articles ap-
Feared in the Index as an advertise,
ment, but for good reasons none OF
his subsequent literary etJrts found a place
IN our columns They were Of a ch iracter
20 make us suspicious o. lhair o5I7cts, aad
Nr. Neson's syndicate money tailed = con
vince Us that the people were suffering ser
.uusIy for that sort Ut education. la short
Ne we're convinced that it was pat Of a
plan designed 10 force the Legislature otlast
winter into taking some acuon looking
70 the payment OF his alleged obligation.
y her papers reused hts money and
declined his AZ ices. aud 'hIs hIs first
scheme for the tree education OF the PEG.
pie failed because Of the sheer inability OF
this yirtuous and patriotic citizen to cor
rupt and seduce what be is now pleased TO
denounce as the "venal press Of his safe.
But MIR Mason was employed to educate
the people, and if he would draw his salary
he must prosecute his pedagogical iabors.
Then II was that his hone8t journalism
enterprise was conceived and launched
To cover Its real character and
obtain tee public ear. this s6-eEd manager
of the syndlcates interest knew that the
real Interest aud purpose Of his project must
Be concealed and the people luredint silent
acqujesceuce in his plans by deceptive aP-
peai- to popular prejudices. Thus his key
note OF railroad expressions and ring poll.
tics serves to intlame public passion aud
secure readers to his educational journal,
while masked beneath his ostensiole pur-
pose Of reforming the Democratic party,
les the deep conspiracy which he aud his
syndicate have concocted to fleece the
Vavers OF this State, and when
his true purposes are disclosed by
an ton.st aud disinterested press, which
labors only for the promotion Of harmony
in the Democratic ranks and steadtastness
in the Democratic faith, his only answer
consists OF assertions of his own immaculate
political purity and charges Of v~tnalityi
bribery and corruption against them; an
20 .ur;her the deception he attenp s on hI-
readers. he eudeavOrs 20 put himself forward
AS he especial champion OF the people IN q
. contest vi b railroads and rings, and InTte.
I discussion With the Democratic RoHsaapar rs
r: the State as If they were the advo
.a,es OF railroad expressions and rug
management. Thus when the Index, know
irg his motives, charged him with double
dealing. deceplon and Misrepresentation. he
.urus upon US, and invites US to defend tht
railroads against the onslaught he make:
nroa itgu, asks Us TO champion tae caust
| rI political rings which ne assails, and TAX
issue With him upon the peculiar reforms
which he advocates. bopin- thereby that TIT
real purpose OF his patriotic labors will D.
| lost si,ht OF