San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1886-01-28
AN OPEN LETTER
To the People OF Hays County.

FlLLow CITIzEss:-W one is 30 cir
cumstanced that he cannot meet his friends
face TO face, what more natural than to
write them letter? Under these circum-
stances-dropping for tho time the editorial
"we"-I shall adopt this as the medium for
a few of hand thoughts and suggestions, to
which most respectfully ask you to give
such attention as they may be thought to
deserve.
do this the moro readily, because 1hear
frequently that am regarded as wanting in
sociability, from the fact that do not min
gle more with you, visit you at your homes,
etc. I admit there is some pausibility in
this charge, and yet assure you it is with
out Just foundation. I would take great
pleasure in going more into society were it
reasonably practicable. But be it known
that editing and publishing country news
paper is very exacting business, because
in II one man is generally required to do
the work of several, and as tho business will
not warrant him in hiring help, there is no
position In the large city Offices the case
Ia quite different; each employe has his de-
partment, and thus, by division Of labor,
all have fair degree of leisure as compared
with tho country editor nnd publisher. It
10 true there are some hangers. on of the lat
ter class who "take it easy" These belong
TO the ORNAMENTAL" class, who are to be
found ION the road" so long as their rail
road passes hold out and nre always ready
to engage in any sort Of sports or junket-
ings. But these are not recognized by the
steady, ard-working membere of the fra-
ternity.
The facts have stated will explain why
have failed to put in more frequent up
pearance at your homes and at public places,
as it would else have been my pleasure and
no doubt to my advantage to have done. In
such emergencies fashionable folks, lam
told, sometimes send their cards. Instead Of
that hereby send you copy of tho FREE
Press, with "the compliments of the sea-
son." do this that you may become bet
ter acquainted with tho paper. Some OF
YOU, presume, have never seen copy,and
may have formed wrong ideas of it and its
editor. The paper will speak for itself, and
mayhap will give you better idea than you
have had of it's management, aims and spir-
it. hope you may like the sample 80 well
as to desire 'more Of the same SORT" and
that / shall have tho pleasure of enrolling
your name on my list of regular subscribers.
You will find it ever the bold and steadfast
advocate of the best interests Of society
and, of course, of your interest
And this brings me to another, and in
fact, the main reason why / now address
you in this manner. In consequence of its
independent course, and its devotion to what
It considers tho best interests of the people,
certain parties have raised the issue whether
the FREE PRESS shall discuss great moral
questions involving the well-being of socie-
ty, and also questions relating to the public
affairs of the county. This issue / havo
squarely met by the practical assertion of
my rights Nd public journalist. To pun
ish me for this, as II would appear, and to
destroy the influence of tho paper and com
pei its suspension 'the other side" have
resorted to official prescription. Tho
Sheriff of your county first took exceptions
TO some clearly legitimate criticisms of his
public acts by the FREE Press and withdrew
his patronage from it, and for two years has
given the publication of the delinquent tax
list to paper of confessedly inferior ciicu-
lation, in violation of the clear spirit, if not
the letter of the law, and the interests of
that class of tax payers. Next, for advocat-
ing local option in San Marcos, l had the
honor of being hung in effigy by satellites
of The saloons. Then for some pertinent
criticisms of their public acts, quite unex-
pectedly and unintentionally gave oHense to
your County Judge and some of the Com
missioners, and thereby lost the county
printing. which was doing at st. Louis
prices. and it was sent to Kyle at a nominal
reduction of five percent ami the paper
there became the boosted "oiicial organ Of
Hays county" Now there was no very
large amount involved, but appeal to you
If the principle exhibited was night? Is il be-
coming in your servants, the county officers,
20 take offense at legitimate criticisms of
their public acts, and especially 10 manifest
their displeasurs ~ above indicated? VIVA.
would you think Of judge (nothing per-
sonAl is here intended who should carry
his personal feelings upon the bench? Ye,
hold that il Is equally improper for any
official 10 be thus influenced in his conduc,
as an officer. But in the cAse before u.
there Was bitterness Of feeling manifested
towards me which the prOvOcation given Ger,
tAinly never warranted. and which in th'
eve Of reason appeared unAccOuutAble. Il
seemed their purpose Was 10 crush out tn
FREE PErss and it, editor at once 1he'oa
oial organ strAighivAy proceeded TO sound
the mAd-dog CRY thA;I WIS
"ax ESExI 70 TH1 soUTH.-
making the most uutruthful Anegatioai
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