Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-05-07

lu0 DANNEH DupplGIlSlG udS uSou Gu0
subject of an unusually large number of
complimentary notices from the press of
the State and from many papers outside
of Vermont. We feel that there is cause
for no little amount of pride in the re-
suit of an undertaking when it is re
ceived with so many hearty and flatter-
ing words from our exchanges as in this
case, and to these papers our hearty
thanks are extended. A few of these no.
tices are reproduced in another column
That the Supplement has brought forth
such words of praise from so cOnserva -
tive class as are Vermont editors is as
surance enough that the undertaking, as
a piece of newspaper work, is creditable
to the BANNER and to Bennington, and
that it is a valuable medium through
which to attract attention to the many
industrial, educational and other facili-
ties of our historic town.
Perhaps on the whole, however, our
deepest thanks are due to our highly es-
teemed contemporary, the Reformer.
With its reputation for candid, fair, hon
OrdbLe and unpreiudiced criticism of
everything and everybody differing in
the slightest from the course that policy,
as viewed by its editor, dictates, its crit
icism of our work bears an especially
deep significance. The fair and candid
spirit with which every act and every en-
terprise of the BANNER is received by
the Reformer bespoke, in advance, the
manner in which it would greet our new
move. And it's failure to disappOint us
has earned our lasting gratitude. We
trust that no one will do the Reformer
the injustice of believing that anything
other than a spirit of fairness and Candor
controlled it in this criticism. The fact
that at one time or another the Reform
leading citizens with a thick coating of
slime should be overlooked, as should
also the fact that its editor has confessed
himself, under oath, to be a blackmailer
and liar. This instance will be remem-
bered when a certain libel suit is recalled
in which the Reformer editor swore that
it 1CdS his custom to print IN his editorial
columns, matter Of aChdteUer character,
bldchmdiling, libelOuS, etc., at ten cents q
line. The fact, also, that at another
time, over his own signature in the col
umns of his paper, he confessed himself
to be liar and a slanderer in the follow
ing humiliating retraction should not be
accepted as conclusive proof that he is
unable to act in truth and fairness,
should convenience so dictate.
"BARBER VS.. LIVINGSTON"
Reproduced from the BANNER of June l2, 1871
Under this caption in the last issue
of the Bennington Reformer, its editor
and reputed publisher makes remark
able confession. In this retraction Mr..
Livingston confesses that he is liar,
that he did not verify the statements he
published in regard to States Attorney
Barber while in Office, and pleads the
''Baby Act'' for damages and costs.
His exact words are as follows:
BARBER VS.. LIVINGSTON.
Mr.. O. NJ. Barber while States AttOr-
ney, was accused by me, in several issues
of the Reformer, of unprofessiOnal con-
duct, mal-administration and malfeas-
ance in the execution of his office as
States Attorney. All of which accusa-
tions so made, upon investigation, prove
to be without foundation in fact. Had
| made such investigation as might and
should have done, no such charges would
ever have been made. | take this occa-
sion 20 retract any and all such charges
so made against Mr.. Barber. The suits
brought by Mr.. Barber against me are to
| be entered settled at this term of court
upon the payment by me of $50 damages
and costs. The sum of $50 was accept
ed by him upon condition that this re-
traction be published with equal promi-
nence in the Reformer as that of the pub
| licatiOn of the untruthful charges
| j. ii. LIVINGSTON.
"While the Reformers criticisms of
Mr.. Barber's administration as public
| officer were made very prominent in the
minds of the people by reason of the
venom of attack being aimed at an Off
cial sworn to enforce the criminal laws
of the State, yet it will be remembered
that they ''are all one of a piece" with
| the treatment the citizens haye received
and are now receiving at the hands of
Living ston. ClOaking himself with the
mantle of reform, he stabs right and left,
| almleSSly and Selt-cOn1esSedly, without
investigation. What more evidence of
moral turpitude could the Reformer fur
nish of its course?'
Our object, of course, in recalling these
self confessed blackmailing and lying
practices of the Reformer's editor, is not
to cast discredit upon his statements.
On the contrary we would ask all to
brush aside any prejudice that recollec-
tion of these practices might stir in the
minds of the readers of his criticism of
our work. There is no reason to believe
that in his reviling of the BANNER, the
special object of his spleen since the
day he landed in Bennington, he may
not, accidentally, make use of little
honor.
WHAT is SOUND MONEY?