Semi=weekly graphic., 1896-01-15
paper up to scorn. Mr. Blass

pa per up to scorn. Mr. Blass' language is not such as one would
 naturally expect from one of his
 reputed standing, and the epithets he employees clearly show that MT.
 Blass is quite capable of some very small and surprising things
 The editor of the GRAPHIC had told one of MT. Blass' friends that if the latter had any statement to make, the GRAPHIC would give him space; that we had never been officially" informed whether the store would remain here or not; that if Mir. Blass assured the public that this time he was really in earnest in his announcement to quit business in Pine Bluff, that the GRApHIo's "piece" of the previous Sunday based on contrary supposition and suspicion general throughout the community, natural ly fell to the ground and the GRAPHIC would be shown to be in error; and finally, that MT. Blass was a comparative stranger 10 the writer. and that the latter had no desire or intention to reflect upon Mr Blass' honesty or integrity.
 But the suggestions of the editor tof the GRAPAIC were not adopted and Mr Blass resorted to other means to relieve himself of his pent up anger. He attributed the GRAPHIC piece" to the belief that there is an Ethiopian in the coal bin, " and proceeds to "drag him out and disclose his features to the gaze of the pubie"-a veritable Mokanna, as it were, to be shorn of his silver veil so that his hideoas face could be revealed to scru- tinizing and vulgar public. This Ethiopian in the coal bin Mr. Blass thinks, is the fact that my local managers did not advertise in the GRAPHIC We beg to assure our Little Rock neighbor that the GRAPHIC has no quarrel with those who do not advertise in it's columns; such persons are the recipients of our compassionate solicitude and 1 excite in our heart the tenderest pity for their lack of good iudg 1 ment, business enterprise and | shrewdness and sagacity. Other men have not advertised in the GRAPHIC and have not been at 1 tackled. There were quite other reasons not necessary to here dis cuss. and suffice it to say that the writer did not feel under sufficient 1 obligations to Gus Blass & Co.,, to brook with silence what we believed | to be an injustice to this business community.
 But Mr. Blass is a comparative stranger to us and a private citizen, and we are disposed to wrap the mantle of charity about his words used in derogation of the writer. The editor of the GRAPHIC has been resident of this city for about twelve years, is better known to this people than perhaps MT Blass, is ertirelya responsible party, and is always ready and willing to have his motives and actions judged by the community.
 But MT. Blass says that he will positively discontinue business in this city," and we take him at his word. Therefore, the GRAPHIC in it's surmises last Sunday was in error. However, we have been ereditably informed that it is very probable that stock company will be organ ized here, Gin which MT Blass will own a controlling interest," to pur chase a part of the stock of the Great Red Store, and that the com pany will be conducted by local par ties and interested owners. In this event, we wish the new company a larger measure of success than that which has attended the Great Red Store during the past three years. The fact is that two large stores of this character have tlourished in1 Pine Bluff for many years in the past, and that too, at time when the town was much smaller than it is at present. Another institution of that kind, if capably, courteously and intelligently managed, can un doubtedly prosper here, and we hope to see the new enterprise established and trust it will prove prosperous institution.
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