The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1892-03-17
A FAIR POLITE REPLY.
"A" Makes q Few Gentle
manly Remarks
In Answer to Friend
0haw's Article.

EDITOR SIaNAL:-In recent issue
OF the Citizen, Mr.. W. D. Shaw takes
exceptions to some statements saw
fit to make through the SIGNAL in
directing attention to what appears
to be an unsatisfactory condition of
county affairs. Many of his asser-
tions are so wild that they suggest
scant knowledge of the questions he
undertakes to handle.
He stamps and snorts, jumps in
the air-intending, no doubt, to
come down with both feet-and finally
comes to his senses, apparently,
when out of breath, as is evidenced
by the commonsense tone of his last
paragraph.
But through it all he fights shy of
the facts presented, except in 80 far
as to admit his inability to compre-
hend them. Now in this connection
he should remember that even though
his perceptions fail him, it does not
necessarily follow that all others are
attended with a like misfortune.
Nor does it follow that because he
cannot understand proposition in
political economy when reduced to
figures, that it would not be en-
tirely clear to great many others.
To assume that his impressions of
the value of certain facts are a proper
criterion of the impressions of others,
is stretching it entirely too far, be-
cause "there are more things in
heaven and earth than are dreamed
of in his philosophy.
His every grammatical reference
to the fact of my winking at syntax
sis the most unkindest cut of all. :"
Now, I'll wager my next years taxes
against his acquaintance with our
neglected friend, Lindley Murray,
that as Mr.. S. grows older and rel
atively more experienced, he will
discover that this field of criticism is
a dangerous one in which to trespass
and even though he find the fences
down it will be much safer and in
better taste to follow his text.
He will further discover that an
airy assumption of smartness will
scarcely outweigh logical fact, and
that mathematical deductions are sell
dom affected by senseless rant.
He suggests that 1 originate some
thingl May ask for what purpose
Facts are what / wished to discuss,
and there being plenty of them ii
would be superhuous to originate
anything.
People have yet to learn what con-
nection a board of commissioners
have with such public improvements
as district schools and irrigating
bitches. 1t used to be the general
impression that district schools were
the result of district efforts and that
= irrigating bitches and kindred I'M
provements were the creations of pri.
vate enterprise A liberal county
policy would undoubtedly lead to the
J enlargement and increase of these
The county Of course should and
did receive credit for bridges such as
they are; but if there is first class
: one in the county the tax payers ar,
not yet apprised of its location
The assertion that we have miles o
county road equal to any in the old
est settlement in the United States i
so absurd that it ought not to hav
appeared in print.
e The charge that our interests vii
i be injuriously affected by free an
3 candid discussion of existing con
ditions will cause thinking people t
a smile, and to wonder how serious, tn
!, injury would be that could equal, i
e its baneful results, policy tha
e knows no progress and that Offer
'e little of value for burdens imposed
e Ny criticisms do not appear t
d create a necessity for the defense c
i any INDIVIDUAL commissioner Th
e methods and policy pursued in til
/. management of county affairs an
" matters incident thereto were crit
:, cised and condemned. If, howeve
- any commissioner-or some 9th,
person for him-sees fit to assume
greater responsibility than his co