The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-06-05
MR.. PLUMB AND MR.. PLUMB'S EDITORS.

The Joliet Press, together with several
other republican papers of this COMPRESSION
al district controlled by Mr.. Plumb and
conducted for the sole purpose OF further
ing his congressional aspirations, have de
liberately attempted to place the FREE
TRADER in false position by quoting por-
lions of its recent editorials upon Mr..
Plumb, and leaving unpublished other por,
lions of the same which are quite as peril
nent TO the question at issue and highly
necessary for "A proper understanding of the
position assumed by this paper towards the
gentleman who represents this cong,ession-
al district.
the formulating of public opinion in Mr..
Plumbs behalf ought 70 know that such
journalism is not only dishonest, but it is
highly reprchensib!e, and ought not TO be
INDUCED in by those who really wish to
treat their readers with that fairness and
candor which is the public's due. When
these men see fit to state that the editor of
the FREE TRADER withdraws everything
said of Mr. Plumb and that lie pronounces
post office controversy highly commendable
they give currency TO that which is entirely
without foundation. The FREE TRADER
simply stated that as far as Mr.. Plumb's
course before the committee during the
hearing of the case was concerned there
was nothing exceptional in it or pothing to
justify an attack upon him though it worried
the editor to know just how to reconcile
Mr.. Plumb's actions prior to the meeting of
the members Of it when sitting in judgment
upon Mr.. Finlen.
SO, too, there were at the tine and are
now grave doubts with Us as to the pro
priety OF congressman appearing in the
roll of an attorney before a senate commit.
tee to prevent confirmation There is
nothing in precedent TO justify such pro
cedure, and the statutes of the country
impose no such duty upon him. 1t may
be, however, that the over zeal Of the gentle
man from this district for the public good,
which he says he is 50 eager To conserve,
led him to go beyond the strict obligations
Of the law and take upon himself burdens
that congressman less fond of labor than
Mr. Plumb have never felt called upon to
place upon their shoulders
We have but one suggestion to make 10
Mr. Plumb and that is that he advise his
editorial force in this district 10 be more
upright and honest in their statements and
less Jealous in their endeavors to place him
Alright before The people.
If Mr. Plumb's course in congress has
been such that "even his political enemies
are compelled to admit that he is fair
and honorable man." and if he comes out
Of the heated and bitter controversy over
the Streator postoflice with an unsmirched
record and uncOmpromised honor" there
is neither sense nor reason in his news
papers men garbling the editorials which
they see fl to term "A square and hon
orable retraction."
Mr. Plumb has yet much to learn in pub
lie lie. His years have not brought TO
him the political discretion that should be
long TO one who has reached the allotted
three score and ten" He has yet TO learn
that the public acts of every public man
who attempts TO silence it by course ut.
terly indefensible and untrue makes a
very grave mistake. To save Mr. Plumb
further trouble on this score we desire him
to understand that the right TO crlticise his
acts is right which We will avail our
selves of whenever he does ought that is
uabecoming man occupying the exalted