Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1898-02-24


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RG2 nd the taxpayers of
Great Bend. Uersats
few misguided though doubtless sim
cere enthusiasts who would apparently
rather see the city plunged deeper into
debt and joint in every back room
available. rather than that the city
authorities should have some control
over the liquor business and the city it
self receive revenue therefrom.
Instead of stating whether it stands
with or against the city administration
and the voters who elected the city Of
fcers, the Tribune jumps onto the
DEMOCRAT for giving truthful report
of the recent visit of women to the
mayor and council, in the following un-
fair and cowardly manner:
The DEMOCRAT finds fault because
the Tribune didn't abuse the ladies of
the NJ. E church last week, as it did,
because they called on the city council
to abdte the joints. The editor of the
Tribune being away. the boys very
wisely refrained from mixing up in
this affair. Besides. three line local
would have been enough. instead of the
column of abuse and ridicule of respect
able ladies as given by the DEMOCRAT.
The ladies had the right to be there.
If one or two of them " err little hasty
in speech, they were no worse than
men sometimes. They were ladies and
entitled to respectful hearing. which
the council gave them. and they went
away feeling that they had performed a
christian duty.
Had the poor old repeater" had
the Journalistic enterprise to have a
representative present at the meeting.
such representative would have known
that the DEMOCRAT gave truthful and
Che asked the mayor or members of the
council they would have told him the
report was correct, and that no ''abuss
and ridicule" was given anybody. But
ga statement of PLAIN facts IN the col
umns of the Tribune would be such an
unusual occurrence that people would
have commented on it saying: "The
world is indeed growing better--the
Tribune man has taken to making hon.
est. straightforward statements"
And Mr.. Armstrong, of the Beacon,
has Clipped in on the unmanly tack.
While he processes to be such fair
minded lover of fair play, he adopts the
same plan of attacking the DEMOCRAT
pursued by Townsley, though he is a
little squarer, in that he takes a posi-.
ton in favor of return to the old plan
OF more joints and no revenue. Here
is what the Beacon says concerning the
matter:
The people who are ENGAGED in this work have
perfect right to be heard, and they have n right
know what the other voters intend u 10 vi n ths
city government. some oi The ladies' who con
nectrd with this work have q home interest ia tin
natter aud no amount of eeriLg by the ipint sup
Porters will drive them from the determination
in fact il will have directly tha other effect |
there IS crusade made against the JOINTS ii will b
caused, as much, if not more by stesring articl
that was pubitshed last week which througbI,
arnus ii the dignity nf ZOof class If women a
ever lived 1t this country. II Is alw vs. better, oil
public questions. to give each side fair showing
avoid ridcule ana sneering, and let such matters
this either take their course or die away because
unpopuIarity.
The Beacon editor has had the same
opportunity that the Tribune editor ha.
OF finding out that our report of tha
meeting was truthful and correct, and
there is no excuse for his charging u:
with publishing ''sneering article" OIL
being a ''ioint supporter"
The mayor and the city council stat
ed their position on the question Ii
that position we agree with them, as de
the majority of the voters in Great
Bend, aud especially the business men
and tax payers. If the Tribune anc
Beacon take the opposing position i
would be manly, honest and commend
able for them to Come out openly anc
espouse their cause instead of Singing
dirt. at the only paper in the city which
has the enterprise to take a position
and stand by it.
We want TO know where you two fel
: lows stand. Areyou in favor of up
holding the mayor and council in the
course they have pursued. in collectins
a fine from the saloon men and. thu.
reducing the number of places wher.
liquor is sold from seventeen to four
or are you in favor of return to th.
former practice of an ATTEMPTED en-