The record-union., 1895-10-03
AN INTERESTING NEWSPAPER WAR

AN INTERESTING NEWSPAPER WAR
One of the most interesting and at the
same time amusing controversies that
has ever arisen in this State between
public journals is being waged between
the Chronicle and the Examiner. LaRue
and Stanton, being Democratic mem bers
of the State Board of Railroad Commis-
sioners, Joined together in reduction of
per cent. from the grain schedule estab-
Iished by the railroad company, with the
concurrence and consent of the former
Railroad Commission.
Now comes the Chronicle to declare
that no reduction whatever has been ef-
fscted. On the other hand. the Examiner
declares that per cent. is an actual and
economic fact in the freight rates of Cali
fornia The Chronicles contention is
that the railroad company amended their
schedule by raising the rates on certain
portions of the system, and that Stan
toms resolution included the mention OF
these amendments. Thus it contends
that by jugglery DIR. S.snton's resolu-
tion reduced s per cent. the raised rates,
which left them still above the rates es-
tablished by grain schedule No. 2.
An investigation OF the facts discloses
the true situation to be that on the noun
tain division only amended rates were
fled. and that on all other portions of the
system the grain schedule No. re-
manned undisturbed. Therefore the re-
duotion of s per cent from grain schedule
No. is practically reduction Of per
cent on the entire grain shipment Of the
State.
The Chronicle refuses to see it in this
light, not because it is not true, not be-
cause the Chronicle does not know it is
true; but because 1t is SO small in its
journalistic conception, so infinitely little
speotability of Journalism, that it is afraid
the Democratic party will take the bene-
fit in the way Of popularity from the fact
that LaRue and Stanton are Democrats.
The position of the Examiner. however,
Ia not more reputable. The E.r0npi1aer is
not inquiring whether a reduction was
demanded; whether it was just or rea-
aonable. From the very outset it con-
tended that the two Democratic Commis-
fta oF fph foc
TO the Democratic party. Thus the Ecdnl-
Gaer put party advantage above all con-
siderations OF right or justice to the ship
per. 1t would withdraw Governmental
protection from the owners of railroads
If only its party might reap an advantage.
On the other hand. the ChrOaicte declares
In the face OF well-ascertained fact that nc
reduction has been effected. The aston
ishing part of this is that the shipper will
know the truth; that the controversy Is
concerning matter in which the truth
may be ascertsined with the greatest pos
able facility. Every grain-raiser and
grain-shipper in California will know
that except as to wheat shipped to Ne
vada, which is perhaps not one-half ol
/ per cent. OF the wheat shipment o.
the State, the resolution passed by the
Democratic majority of the Board o.
Railroad Commissioners is reduction o
s per cent
But the Chronicle is furiously partisan
1t is Republican first and public journa
second 1t is for the party all the time
1t has no purpose. mind. heart, or will
that is not partisan. We had long since
observed that its partisanship had brutal
lied its intelligence, but we remained tc
be instructed that it had also destroyed
its veracity
Both the Examiner and the Chronicl,
were in favorlof the s per cent. reduction
A most exhaustive inquiry preceded the
action of the Railroad Commission. Bott
papers published columns of reports con
cerning that inquiry. and while the in
quiry proceeded both papers urged th,
commission to the course it has taken
What they knew OF the merits of th,
controversy may now be seen in the fac
that one of them contends that no reduc
ton was made, and the other contend
that the reduction on 80 per cent. of III