The Hawaiian gazette., 1896-02-21

signed by Payson Caldwell wer'
received by the last Kinau:
Mr.. EDITOR. 1t was hoped that
the present management of the HilC
Tribune would accept it in the same
spirit it was surrendered, and that We
would not feel called upon to resent
any misstatement of fact or unjust
aspersion, hut the feeling OF spite and
maleVolence is so prominent in the
issue of February 18th that We must
reply.
Ffrst-Let it be understood that all
of the stockholders of the Hiio Trio
une Publishing Co., with one eXcep-
ton, are members of the Conservative
Club.
Second-The purchase of the plant
OF the Tribune was made with the
condition precedent, that we would
take charge of the paper for two
years.
ThIrd-The only provision in the
contract in regard to the editorial
policy was: 'If the editorial policy
we may pursue Is not satisfactory to a
majority of the said subscribers or
stockholders, we will quit
and surrender, and turn over to said
directors said plant and all property
so leased to us.
The editorial in the first number
was read over to all the directors be
fore it went to the hands of the print
er, and some parts several times, and
every part was agreed to.
The print of this editorial was not
dry before the Conservative Club
placed in nomination Hon. Alexa nder
Young for Senator for Hawaii. Thus
the first digression was made, by
whom?
AS result, the Tribune remained
neutral, yet opened its columns for
the use of both candidates. The cleo
ton of Young was lost, aud was a
consequent defeat of the Conservative
Club candidate, and it was claimed by
it's members and the stockholders of
the Tribune, through the use of the
columns of the Tribune, by the friends
of the opposition of Young.
The advertising of Alexander
Young's candidacy by the Tribune
was done at the agreed price OF %
cents a line. The bill was presented
after his defeat, and repudiated.
We never agreed that our editorial
policy should be acceptable to all or
any of the stockholders. We did
agree that if our editorial policy was
distasteful to the majority, we would
Hquit and surrender the plant" Now
if any one will read our first editorial
and tell us where We have been in
consistent we will be pleased.
At no time did we have any notice
that our editorial policy was distaste.
full to any one until after the so-called
resolution was passed at meeting OF
the directors of the Hilo Tribune
Publishing Co., of which we were
member and were not notified of,
though at the time the meeting was
held we were in our office in Hilo.
There is DO editorial policy lndl
Gated by the two squibs. They'are
comprised mostly of statement OF
facts. We were told these facts were
true by many good and responsible
people. We believed them to be
true. No one has attempted to show
to us their falsity, but simply that
the publication was impolitic. We
said then, and we say now for publlr
cation if there is any statement OF
fact contained in either OF SAID artl-
Giles that is untrue, and it is so shown
to us, we would only too gladly re-
tract the statement, and offer our
apology. The avowed policy of the
Tribune was never to do an injury to
anyone. Why should We? We have
only the most kindly feeling to all.
IT is said demand was made; we
surrendered The fact is demand
was made, we practically refused and
made an offer, which was accepted,
and it was only upon the terms OF our
offer that the plant was turned over.
Time alone will tell whether our
writings are to be termed "hysterical
rawlings and inf1amatory nonsense"
and time will also prove That the H1lo
Tribune is now the organ OF clique
club and faction, land that 1t is not
published for the especial advance
ment OF Hilo, but that it is the organ
of the clique club and faction called
the Conservative Club" and that
the paper is published for the special
advancement of its interests. We
make this statement without the fear
of successful contradiction and this
statement with all others herein made
are susceptible of proof.