Semi=weekly graphic., 1897-11-20
THE "C 0NNON SGOLD.

ble now in progress in this city over the appointment of a postmaster for Pine Bluff. We have all along re. garded it as purely Republican scramble for the spoils of office with which Democrats have nothing to do. or course, in common with eV- cry other citizen, we have our per sonal preferences in the premises, but as a Democrat we have declined to sign the petition of any applicant or make any protest against Re publican recommendation. If "to the yictors belong the spells, as old Andrew Jackson, we believe, stated it, then the distribution of the sspolls" under Q Republican ad- ministration is Republican prerog- atiye with which Democrats have nothing to do.
 This position and the reasons therefor was clearly and unequivo- cally stated in the GRAPHIC of the l1th inst. That there arc reasons for contrary view and two sides to the question none can deny.
 We expressed the reasons which governed our course of action in or der to satisfy some of the importu- nate protestants, and felt thereafter quite content to dismiss the subject and view the progress of the battle between the straight Republicans and their coadiutors in the late campaign, better known IS the Bol- tocrats, with a silent and serene in difference.
 But VIC have in this community a common scold, who is a prince among the Boltocfats, and who is the self.eonstituted custodian of the political morals of the nation. Up. on his ponderous shoulders tk~ af- fairs of government hang heavily, including postoftice appointments, ard President Mckinley will be real ly culpabiy negligent if he does not allow this Boltocratic prince to die tate the name of Pine Bluffs next postmaster as q reward for his trea- son to ;he Democratic party during the last campaign.
 But the GRAPHIC is not bothering itself about the postoffice appoint ment, and because of this fact the editor of the Press. Eagle exercises his established right of a common scold, and in his last issue brawls at the editor of the GRAPHIC. If he had told the truth there would have been no necessity for this article, but as his policy, where the GRAPHIC is concerned, seems to be one of per sistent and wilful misrepreSenta. tion, we make answer simply that the truth may be known to all and that there may be no misapprehen- sion Of the facts in the case. Among other things the Prese. Eagle says
 Instead Of dIscouraging the candidacy of HavIs for postmaster. or protesting against It tn behalf Of tho Angio-saxon manhood and womanhood of Pine Blut. as did the Press Eagle. tho GRAPHIC actnally gave aid and comfort to him. by publishing bogus Inter view written by sycophantlc hireiing who has on more than one occasion disgraced his race, In which Havis was represented IS ex- plaining why this paper opposed him for postmaster, and in which q labored defense was made of his exceedingly shady official record in tho past. This public defense Of Havis and hls candidacy, and attempt to inn pugn the motives Of the editor of this paper for opposing his presumptuous ambi- ton to be given control of the postal affairs of community that only few short years ago was compelled to arise in it's majesty and hurl him from an office he had long prosti- tuted and disgraced--Was published on the editorial page of the GRAPHIC in the shape of Q political interview, thereby carrying with 1t tho approval of both the business and editorial management Of the paper. In con- nection with the editorial expressions above, there can no longer De any question as to tho GRAPHrc.s attitude relative to the Pine Hluf postofHce contest. While determined not to get mixed up in any Republican rneus over the spoIls of office, 1t has not hesitated to accept some Of the prospective spells in the shape of n fee from q candidate for a highly responsible public trust which the GRApp.c's editor knows full well his patron is unworthy and incompetent to fili.
 In the last clause of the above par agraph there is an innuendo unwor thy the editor of the Press-Eogle 1 and unjust to the editor of the GRAPHIC. It seems to be part of l the common scold's" policy to cast ! reflections upon everybody who dis agrees with him or does not serve his private purposes. The pros pective spells in the shape of fee" whichthc GRAPHIo accepted was for the publication of an interview ]