Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-12-22
THE wATcHMAN's MUD THROWING.
d'rom the Bradford opinion)


U'rom the Bradford Opinion)
/ There is deccncy in everything There
might even be n little decency worked
into "A mud throwing newspaper editorial,
though the article might have to be read
twice before the decent part of 1t was dis
covered.
, The Waterman, a newspaper published
mt Montpelier under more or less trying
and discouraging circumstances. has the
disgusting habit of dumping on anyone
who happens to disagree with II shower
OF vile. mean and contemplate epithets.
Invariably such language as this paper
uses is entirely uncHlled for. A friendly
and pleasant criticism would answer the
purpose in every way and make the pa
per an occasionally new friend instead of
driving away the few 1t already has. But
this seems to be an impossible thing for
the Waterman to do. Editor Ropes has
evidently become so imbued with the idea
that the only right side is the side he is
supporting that he considers SUPP orter
of the other side something in the light
Of n criminal and only worthy of having
dumped upon his head n bag of mud vitu-
peratioE of tho worst sort, language that
reminds one to a considerable degree of
the letters that pass back and forth be-
tween prize fighters arranging for a fight.
He has lately roundly censured eX-Sen-
ator Edmunds because he Is opposed to
annexation Of the Philippines which Is
contrary to the Watchman's belief Mr.
Edmunds opinion on the subject is every
where given most careful consideration
Nobody gives the opinion of the Watch
man a second thought but this doesn't
hinder Ropes from pouring out upon Ed
munds, recognized as one of the lead
ing mon in the country. some of his
characteristics unseomly language. Sem
ator Hoar of Massachusetts Is another
anti cXpansionist and. while one of the
Loo. III L.
tune to differ with the Waterman and
is In consequence being roundly scored
for it. Editor Ropes Critlcising these men
reminds one of dog barking nj a rail-
road train
Lastly, one of the ablest. most prom-
nent ard best workers of the recent Leg
isltturc William B. Wall of Randolph
took stand In the matter of the continu-
ancc of the State board of agriculture
contrary to what the Waterman alieved
was right and because he was persistent
in advocating his belief and pushed the
fight to the last ditch Ropes came out in
a defamatory editorial calling him an
outlaw, a bandit, bribcr Il Jesse James
and few other complimentary names.
Wall was recognized as one of the
leaders of the House and made a record
as a most able legislator. Randolph CON
sidcrs him the best representative 1t has
had in years and the Waterman will lose
him, We are not attempting to class Wall
with Edmunds and Ho,r hut we wouldn't
blame him in feeling complimcnted in
sharing the Watchman's displeasurc with
such distinguished company.
Ropes is working under trying circum-
stances. For his intrmitios he has our
. heartiest sympathy. but with his DIS
Gruntlcd disposition which causes him to
haptze everybody who dsagrces with
him with a carload of the flthiest kind
; Of mud we nave no sympathy whatever
Below is an article taken from the Bar
nard items IN the Randolph Herald and
News, written by one who has long
! known Mr.. Wall. and which shows how
easily the mud thrown upon him by the
d, Waterman will slide off and react upon
that paper:
The Montpelier Daily Journal, a news.
: paper printed at the capital Of the State
; and for the past ten weeks busy with its
i praise and condemnation Of the Leg. : IA.
= ture has at last empted iself of a column
, Of vile slang and vituperation upon the
! member from Randolph The uncorkne
, of this bottled up mess of mud and ind
{ gestiblc filth must be great relief to the
; mind of an editor who lays any claim tC
l decency in treating the public to wha
y they desire n clean sheet of daily news
I This shower Of dirt will slide from Mr.
n Wall like water from a duck, leaving
e smirch on the Journal that will take
: "a newspaper that has spent cigh
weeks In .o1dyism to the governor an,
= Senate must have made a terrible Grima G,
: when His EXcellency appointed and tn
y, Senate confirmed William b. Wall a.
= State highway commissioner.
l. The editor of the Journal poses a
j. prime manager of the republican part,
l. when he asks the democratic party T.
:, take back tho gentleman from Randolph
and would throw into the trade Balar,
: of Georgia. Gladly would the democrat
IS accept the gift but they are aware that
= like Satan IN the mountain, he own
nothing and has no power to give away
Mr.. Wall has shown himself to he
great legislator and had he belonged t
the dominant party earlier would hav
u few equals.
<' Although his head may never have bee
% wet with baptism, yet 1t is filled with
u good brain that he uses to advantage.
. Never within my memory, and it run
a long way back has Randolph sent s
W able a man to the Vermont Legislature
Ell II the democrats have any more of tn
same kind let them come, We need sue
AN out cross to improve the breed
but of all the ludicrous performance
ID emanatng from any source Is Edito
Of Ropes trying to dump the member fror
70 Georgia. Great Scott! Wonders neve
~ cease. and politics make strange bedfe
y lows Some day, perhaps, the rat an
the lion will lie down together, but for tn
present they don't seem to mingle yer
tremendously. and 1t will be a long tim
before the blare of Editor Ropes hor
will be heard marching through Geor
y gia."
= We are not quite ready to give up ORR
Ballard. more than Wall. Vermont an
the republican party rs have further further use fo
the Montpelier Journal seems to hav