Semi=weekly graphic., 1896-04-04
MIKE THE MO.ST OF IT

The ComDaerctot of yesterday at tempts to distort an editorial in Tuesdays GRAPHIC anent the ap-} proaching city election into an i'm peachment of the character of the present City Council and as a re fiection on certain of the candidates therefor, whom the Commerctal men toned. In order that there may be no misunderstanding about what the GRAPHIC did say, we reproduce that part of the editorial in question that refers to the approaching cleo ton of Aldermen.
 Today one week and the city cleo tion occnrs at which time four Alder men and Il City Clerk will be elected. As little as one may think it. this is an important city election, and che utmost care should be exercised by the municipal voters in the selection of these officers. The present contract for city lighting expires next Septem Der, and upon this subject an express sion from the candidates for Alder men should be had. The present prices paid for city lighting are un- reasonable and excessive, and at the expira ton of the present contract, more advantageous terms can un- l doubtedly be made. Therefore, AL dermen should be elected who have the interests of the city at heart and who are known 10 be absolutely in- corruptible. We want men in office who cannot be dominated or in- | fiuenced by grasping corporations, and who have the courage to fight monoply and stand up for the in- terests and rights of the city under all circumstances.
 In the same editorial, in reference to the election of City Clerk, the GRAPHIC also said:
 For sometime there have been re- ported irregularities in the admin istration of tine affairs of the city, and the present City Clerk, who is q candidate for reelection, is known to be under the dominance of the Mayor and Council. Therefore, it seems to us, that every interest of the public service would dictate n change in the office of City Clerk.
 The Commercial of yesterday in an editorial under the caption "Are These Men Corrupt?' publishes the names of the present members of the Council, and also partial list of those who are candidates, but it wisely refrained from publishing the names of aU the eadidates, be- cause, forsooth, the GRAPHIes re marks might be found to apply to some one of them. Why didn't the Commercial publish the names of aH the candidates? Why should only d few names be picked out2 Be cause it didn't happen to serve the Commercials purpose to do so.
 Since the GRAPHIC referred to the Aldermen to be elected at the approaching election, it is entirely far-fetched to construe the article as applying to members of the present City Council.
 But it is astonishing how exceed ingly susceptible is the tender cuticle of some of these public of flee holders. For the GRAPHIc's part it intended no reflection upon the present eouncilmen, but if in it's remarks it held up a mirror in which any of those connected with the present city administration recognize their own reflection, it is not our fault.
 Neither did the GRAPHIC charge any of them with corruption. What we did say was that "for sometime there have been reported irregularities in the administration of the affairs of the city, and this we repeat, and are ready to sub stantiate it if put to the test. Be cause there are Irregularities, it does not imply that there is "eor- ruption. The words are quite different in theIr meaning. "Irreeu- lar" is defined by Webster to mean something "not conforming to a law, method, or usage recognized as the general rule, etc, and we be- lieve that Webster knows more about the English language than the editor of the Commercial. Cor ruption' is also defined by Webster to meas ''the act of corrupting or of impairing integrity, virtue or moral principle; the state of beino