The herald., 1897-12-07

ton, he made Overtures to Hervey
Lindley prior to the Republican conven-
lions in 1885," etc. Has anyone ever
heard of the man who opened his mouth
so wide that he put his large foot into
It? Why, bless your childish souls,
Messrs. WrayMelick, neither the con-
gressional, state nor county Republican
convention was held later than June
49, 1897. And not until the night Of the
18th Of August, 1897, was Mr. Cole aware
that twenty persons sympathized with
him in his grievance against the party
| for it's departure from its ancient posi-
ton on the bimetallic question. And on
the 1st of August 1897, no embodied
soul, not even Mr.. Cole himself, knew
that he would vote for Bryan. He and
few friends announced that they
would, on the evening of August 18th,
meet at 1856 South Broadway to consider
what should be their action with re-
gard to supporting the Republican con-
gressional nomination; there was no in
tention then to bolt the entire ticket.
| 1t was not expected that more than
lflfty persons would be present. In this
they were in error; 300 persons crowded
into the little meeting place, and 276
genuine Republicans signed the first
roll Of the first Silver Republican club.
Then for the first time was there an
Organization whose strength could be
either calculated or "miscalculated!"
Did Mr.. Cole have any political deal
ing with Mr. Lindley In 1893? Well-er-he
came this near to 1t. In the spring of
1895, Walter s. Melick wv. S. Melick,
general manager) Of Antelope valley,
then editor of the Lancaster Gazette.
called, in company with another gentle
man from the locality, upon Mr. Cole
Mr.. Melick stated to Mr.. Cole that he
desired the Republican nomination for
the assembly; that If Mr.. Cole would
secure for him Hervey Lindley's support
he would feel sure Of the nomination;
otherwise he feared he would not get It..
Wouldn't Mr.. Cole please see Hervey
Lindley and get his promise of the COW
eted support, and Mr.. Melick would ap-
preciate the favor? Mr.. Cole said that
he would see what he could do for Mr..
Melick. But Mr.. Cole found that every
body was running to Hervey Lindley,
and that Mr.. Lindley. as prudent man
would, granted no favor wherefor he
could secure no return. Mr.. Cole, rather
than be under political obligations to
Mr.. Lindley. determined not to ask any
sort of favor from him; so Mr.. Melick
secured his nomination otherwise. Who
saw Mr.. Lindley for him?
On Mr.. Coles honor as a man of truth,
and with full knowledge that Mr.. Lind
ley is not beyond the reach of an inter-
view relative thereto, 1t Is hereby de-
clared that the occasion just referred to
is the only one In connection with which
Mr.. Cole thought Of having political
dealings with Mr.. Lindley, especially in
1897.
Now. Mr.. Melick, you are Christian
man. We know this, for not long since
you read a paper at q meeting of clergy
men; in that paper you declared that
much Of the evil of the day, political,
ETC., is chargeable to the venality of
the press; that the press should reform
itself before attempting the reform of
politicians, or something to this effect.
Upon the heels of this declaration you
open wide your columns to an article
recast from the cranial effluvium of a
wearisomely persistent diner at the po-
litical fiesh-pots. And SO stuffed with
falsehood is that article that were the
Master, humble and sternly true, whom
you profess to follow, to review what
Is therein written, we may imagine him
saying. Throw you never again at
any brother a stone until you are your
self without sin." And in our imagina-
tions we cannot perceive that you stir.
There are few additional matters 1
might deal with while in the mood, but
those matters, as written in the edi-
torial reviewed, are so pronouncedly
dessicated putridity that our stomachs
forbid nearer approach.
Before closing 1 want to suggest that
such wanton attacks as that Just no.
ticed serve only to draw more closely
together those whose chosen officers
are thus unwarransedly treated You
thereby inject into the campaign thus
early a stimulus of vindictiveness alike
in kind to that which so effectually
forced us to the bitter fight of 1896, in
which we reduced your majority in this
county by over 1000 votes. On that oc-
casion our former brethren had no bet
ter words for us than such as "anar-
chist," Crank" ETC., ad nauseam.
However, before finishing I must call
the attention of the voting public to the
strenuous efforts this j. G. Wray will
make, and in fact is now making, to
crawl into the favor Of the bosses, there
by to secure an appointive office in the
closing days of 1898. Mark the manner
in which he will work his patriotism for
Ia job. How many Silver Republicans
will assist in voting to this man place
and the use of a fork at the political pie
counter?
AS to Mr.. Melick personally there Is
no ill-will. He made good public off,
Ger, and I should not grjeve to see him
returned. Everybody has his faults,
and am Of the belief that this editorial
spoken Of was published against his
best judgment. However, will suggest
for your future guidance, Mr.. Melick,
that truth and charity conquer where
malignity and falsehood but incite to
the fray. The former are the weapons
of men; the latter are but the darts of
pigmies.
Meanwhile am curious to know
which country journal will next be COM
PEELED, for the good Of the party, to
weary its readers with this ARTICLE of
Wray's recast for the occasion.
Very respectfully,
w. G. PETCHNER.
The Presidents Message