Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1898-05-25
Mr.. CARROTS Defense.

petition which was published last
week as having been in circulation
here, requesting Gov. Smith to de-
mand the resignation OF NJ. j. Garrett
from the board of education, and al
leging certain facts on the part of
Mr.. Garrett which We're unbecoming
a member of that board. But mas
much as Mr.. Garrett has seen fit to
secure the publication in several pa
pers of the state of extended articles
alleged Misunderstanding upon this
paper and including testimonials from
Capt. Preston, Lieut.. Croft and Ser
geant StOddard, we deem that a brief
review of the matter is but due.
Primarily neither the ARGUS nor
any employee had anything whatever
to do with the drafting of that petit
ton, nor even saw it until it had
been in circulation two days. The
editor of this paper had not signedit,
nor did anyemploye, until after many
signatures had been made.
We We're not moved to it's publica-
ton by any political motives what
ever. When it was copied it was
headed by a prominent Democrats and
the recognized agent of the state add
ministration i'm this county. The
names of n considerable number of
Democrats Were also thereon.
The letter which Capt. Preston
gave Mr.. Garrett for publication and
which appeared in several papers,
stated just what the ARGUS had al
legged was the purport OF Capt. Pres
tons communication to Lewistown
that Mr.. Garrett had refused to en-
list. So far as he having pledged
himself to do so before he left Lewis
town. it was anticipated by many
that he would not enlist with the
company, for he had said to more
than n that he did not expect to go
any further than Helena. To one,
when speaking of a business matter,
he said that he could not give a def
ute reply (about this business deal
until he visited Helena, and when
asked when he would go to Helena,
he replied: Il hardly know; L had
the states expense, but it does not
look that way now, and L guesss L
shall have to go anyway In view
of such statementsit o~ccasioned some
surprise when, Immediately before
the departure OF the company, and
when the first sergeant announced
that all who did not intend to enlist
when they reached Helena should
step out of the line, that Mr.. Garrett
did not avail himself of this oppor-
tunity to withdraw.
We have been informed by one of
those members of the company who
rejected by the medical eXamin-
ers that when Mr.. Garrett had been
the examining surgeon pat
him on the back and said, You're
all right" and that Garrett, turning,
in a surprised tone. what, amt
l too heavy" Immediately there
he announced that he could"
not enlist.
Mr.. Garrett seems to have taken
some portion of that petition as re-
on his honesty and prompt
ness in meeting financial obligations
what part we do not know. And
this theme he has secured and
testimonials from Lieut..
Croft and Sergeant Stoddard. If he
will come to this office he may secure
the same testimonial from the pro-
prietor, we always having found him
willing to meet any demands upon
his purse and strictly honest in finan-
cial matters.
But the question of his honesty in
money matters was not touched
upon by that petition, as we con-
strue it; he was charged with an
other offense entirely. And while 1t
is true that the gentleman who
headed that petition has withdrawn
his name and a letter addressed by
him to Mrs. Garrett has appeared in
print, he has not in that letter with
or sought to mitigate single
one of the offenses charged in that
petition which he signed, and neither
has any other of the mere sign
ers, so far as we know.
1t will be noticed that Mr.. Stod-
dard says, land during my acquaint-
ance have considered him honorable
in all business relations and that
MI. Croft says, Il have found Mr..
Garrett strictly accurate in all bust
ness dealings" All of which we be-
lieve true. but what it has to do with
the matter we are at a loss to know.
In view of the notoriety which this
subject has secured, the foregoing
statement and comment is but due