The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-12-24
MIR. CUMMINGS AND THE NEWS.
On Saturday, November %, last, an
editorial article printed in this newspa-
per contained the following paragraph:

editorial article printed in this newspa-
per contained the following paragraph:
'It Is with tho deepest regret, ard sym
pathy for a public official whom We had be-
lieved 10 be beyond roprOach as to his in
tegrity that wo are compelled 20 charge the
ovorsesr Of the Poor. MATTHEW j. CuAmNGs
with the extIavagant. unauthorized. even
dishonest. uso Of money from the poor funds
Of the city OF Providence"
Two days after the publication OF this
paragraph summons was served upon
The News Company and upon the eoitor
OF THE News 10 answer The complaint of
Mr.. CUMMINGS in an act OF tresrass for
the publication of "f1lse and malicious
libel" Yesterday we were informed by
counsel for the plaintiff that this action
was brought because of this particular
paragraph and specifically in the charge
implied in the words "even dishonest"
We ere further informed that the Over
seer OF the Poor had brought the suit
with the sole purpose of clearing himself
from the charge OF dishonesty by demon
stre,lng before jury OF his peers that
his administration OF his Office had not
been dishonest
Now, as to this,so far as Mr.. CUMMINGS
rests under the charge oI dishonesty at
our hands, we wish 10 relieve him OF that
charge. So far as his reputation may
have suffered from the ugly word "dis-
honest" we wish, SO far as lies in our
power, to set the matter right by with
drawing the imputstion. The word was
used without malice and we do not know
whether or not 1t was libelous because we
are not court and jury, or even lawyer.
But in our opinion the word was false.
We do not believe that Mr.. CUMMINGS has
been dishonest In the transactions refer
suffer from SO serious a charge as he has
understood us 10 make, as We did not
know until yesterday that he did so
suffer or we should have been at pains to
have earlier relieved him from it as We
now hasten 10 relieve him. We do not
wish to be ffiSHHdeFsteed- d-ea- this point,
TO qualify it In any way, to nave II any
thing hut full and frank expression OF
opinion, or TO have 1t confused with
any criticism made on the management
OF the Poor Department. We simply DO
sf,f Seieve that Mr.. CUMMINGS has been
dishonest and we wish TO express this SO
clearly that every one who has received
u
has been led TO believe from anything
printed that we hold that OF ipion, may
understand us.
We are glad 10 offer these remarks at this
time as Christmas present to Mr.. CUM
MrNGs and we trust they may be accepted
in the spirit OF the giving, the spirit of
irankness, ana justice that
prompts them ana that 1t is our purpose,
ever, to have prevail in our columns all
the year round as well as at this blessed |
season OF good will. And whenever this |
spirit shall have seemed to depart from
US we shall, as now, hasten to reclaim it |
and 80 far rs may be atone for any injury |
that may have been done or even, in the
smallcr degree, seem to be done, in its
abscrcc. And we deem such a course as !
OF quite as much heaetit and importance /
to an honest newspaper a. TO any who 4
may have suffered from injustice so /
inflicted
II looks as IL the spirit OF the time and |
age IS better represented at Chicago Uni
vergity han at cfic,e Harvard.
,.
~ anybody thinks the country cannot
borrow all the money 1t wants Just let
him keep his eyes open for the premium
[ ho m. ~ isriin OF hnnds ,v Ill Nth