Daily Tombstone epitaph., 1886-04-11
JOHN P. HE
TTea's the s.s:uuat.0ns of the star
 Wuh n,ruifir0 Contempt

Treats the s.s.UuAtsOus of the star
 Wuh n,1Hifieo Contempt
 Having read 'he editorial in the Tucson Star of the 7lh inst, of which the some- what familiar name of John P. Cum is made the text, an EPITAPH reporter called upon Mir. Cum yesterday after noon te enquire what, if anything, he might have to say with reference to the Stars reflections upon his administration of affairs as Indian agent at San Carlos. Entering the Auditors flee, the reporter dscoversd Mr. Clum at his desk, ab- sorbed with the multifarious duties aris- ing from his numerous official relations with our municipal government; and wishing to broach the purpose "f his visit gently and in manner that mould not subject him to a fine for contempt, in quired: "Have you seen the Stars edi- torial?"
 "Oh, yes," was the good-natured reply ofthe Auditor-Recorder,e ,e,c ,ex-ofir io- as he glanced up from behind barri- cade of complicated Auditors reports, musty assessment rolls, ponderous police dockets, criminal complaints, bills, war rants, licenses, etc.
 "What would you like to have us say with regard 10 the Stars published inu- endos"
 'The fact is, don't think it is neces. sary to say anything. The people of Arizona know me pretty well, and they know the editor of the Star, also"
 "But these insinuations might affect you in the East, suggested the reporter"
 "No, think not" was the reply;" "there is voluminous written record on file in Washington covering three years of ac- tive service with the Indian Department and six years with the Postoffice Depart ment, which will tell better than the edi- tor of the Star possibly can, whether am chargeabie with dishonestyor extrav- agance."
 "But," said the reporter" there are many new residents in Arizona who have no personal knowledge of your services as Indian agent, and there may be those in Washington who will not take the trouble to go to the records there"
 "Just consider a moment. It is now over twelve years since was appointed Indian agent, and it seems to me that if l was corrupt or even extravagant in my official position, these facts should have been crystalzed into positive charges, with proofs, long ago, especially as l was subject to considerable detective scrutiny from the military branch of the service, as we'll as from the special agents of my own department; but instead of this, the Star now can only insinuate that was possibly dishonest, and if l was not, it thinks that possibly some of the con tractors were. How unjust and absurd this is The Tucson Star has been issued for about ten years. During that time it has published column after column of falsehood and abuse of me and my char acter. never expect truth or justice at the hands of its editor. Who does! The Star is even now compelled to admit that kept the Indians at peace, e,and adds that I was quite popular for time. This ought to satisfy a modest man like myself, es- pecially at the hands of such an unprin- cipled enemy. If that editorial had ap- peared in any reliable journal, under the management of honest men, could af- ford to take notice of it, but under the circumstances, it would be waste of time and compromising my dignity to say more."