Graham guardian., 1898-11-04
In his circular. which is supposed

| In his circular, which is supposed
to be an answer to the charges
made against him by the GUARDIAN,
John McGowan does not attempt
to answer one of them, and says he
"will institute no prosecution"
Well, we guess not. 1t is difficult
to prosecute people for telling the
truth, and the charges preferred
against him last week are only a
few of his disreputable acts that
are known to a large number of
people. Instead of attempting to
clear himself of these charges he
exposes his weakness by getting
mad and making false statements
and threatening to prosecute for
"other matters, but this lacks
logic. Why does he not deal with
the proposition honestly and tell
what these "other matters are?"
All his circular contains is two
false statements, which he knew to
be false at the time he wrote them.
He charges that in the last two
years and q half, the county has
paid the GUARDIAN and Bulletin
| 81 1870 for county printing. The
county records show this to be an
untrue statement to the amount OF
nearly $4,000, and a large amount
of what has been paid was for
stationery furnished and not sprint
ing" as he says. And Of the amount
actually charged there was nearly
$1,000 for an exceedingly large
delinquent tax list in 1896, the law
compelling the printing of which
having since been repealed, which
makes a saving to the county of
almost $1,000 per year. Another
false statement is that one of the
claimants for back salaries is the
owner of the GUARDIAN. This was
amusing to the people, who are
well aware that the proprietor of
the GUARDIAN never held a county
Office in his life, and could not be a
claimant for back salary. This lie
was for effect, bat its effect is work
ing the wrong way, for large
number ofpeople are now thorough.
ly convinced that even if elected
Mr.. McGowan's intention is not
even to attempt to prevent the pay.
ment of these back salaries. The
falsehood was printed as an en-
deavor to cast a reflection on the
character of the former district at
torney, who has never laid claim
to any back salary but has so far
prevented Its payment. These
false statement coming from Mr..
McGowan, are not surprising, how
ever, as they are in keeping with
his past record in Graham county.
Even excluding his record, we
should like to enquire on what
ground he asks for political prefer
ment. He has proven himself a
political acrobat. Does he pay
taxes7 Is he permanent resi-
dent? What has he ever done for
the county! These are questions
that easily answer themseles.
Mr., MCGOWAN sets himself up as
about the only competent attorney
in the county. Here is a sample
of his law ability: There is deed
dated December 10, 1895, convey
ing land from W. D. French and
wife to John MCGOWAN. acknow.
lodged by John MCGOWAN, record
ed IN book 6, page 1878. Another
deed dated December IL, 1895,
from Morgan H, Merrill and wife
to John McGowan, acknowledged |
by John MCGOWAN, recorded in
book 6, page 1877, and still another
from Il. D. Tuttle to John Nc
Gowan, acknowledged by John
McGowan, recorded in book 6,
page l3l. Do these acknowledge.
ments appear to be the work of a
competent lawyer? The people
will decide.
--------SAe---------
With the territorial prison con
victs supplied with piano to en-
,Lan, tLn anI