The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-06-13
IN REPLY.

The Chamber OF Commerce OF Fort
wrangel has adopted series of reso-
iutions In which 1t declares that the
Post-Inteiligencer has ''iibeled'' that
town and has refused 10 publish the
facts.
In reply, the Post-Inteliigencer de-
cIares the statement as 10 its refusal 10
publish any facts TO which its atten-
ton has been drawn to be falsehood.
The truth is that the Post-Inteiligen-
Ger has published impartially such news
concerning the town and the route as
have come to 1t from trustworthy
sources Last winter this paper
was Indirectly made the means Of
deluding many poor prospectors by
accepting as reliable the assur-
anees OF men who professed to be
familiar with the Stickeen route that
II was a perfectly practicable means OF
reaching the klondike. The reports
spread SO widely through this and
other newspapers resulted in a
great rush to Fort Wrangel. much
10 the benefit OF the business men
there. Later In the season, when
men who had attempted the jour
ney came back disappointed. having
spent their money unwisely and holding
the Post-InteIllgencer responsible to
some extent for having Internationally
misled them. this paper gave them an
opportunity TO tell their side Of the
story.
The rush to wrangel took with 1t a
number OF gamblers and crooks. just
as the rush to Seattle brought them
here. The post-Intelligencer related
these things as a matter Of news. just
as 1t reports daily the doinga of crooks
and confidence men in this city.
IL the offense of the Post-Intelligencer
Is that Ii has faithfully chronicled the
dolngs on the Stickeen route and at
Wrangei. 1t is likely TO continue to be
an offender.
The article TO which exception Is taken
does not say enc word OF an uncompli-
mentary character concerning the ner-
chants or residents OF Wrangel. II
merely relates the doings Of the sure
thing visitors to that place.
The Chamber OF Commerce of Fort
Wrangel would have done much more
wisely II, instead OF wasting a lot OF
printing on "A long string OF denuncia-
tory resolutions. they had taken the
news articles. whose truthfulness they
impugu. and had pointed out the par
ticulars in which they were wrong. Does
the Chamber Of Commerce regard as
iihelous the statements that the bet
ter class of wrangers citizens got to-
gether en- Monday last and are de-
termined to pat the town on an honest
footing. IL 1t can be donee"
The Post-Inteligenoer intends TO pub
ilsh the truth about the StIckeen river
route and all other routes, 1t has
duty TO perform to the general public.
no less than that 10 the residents OF the
towns 70 be benefited by The respective
routes
II intends 10 publish the news regard
ms the doings ana the whereabouts ot
thieves u all Kinds. In order that the
pubJe may De pat on its guard. !, Is
ana viii continue tn DC its policy 10
correct any erroneous statements IL may
have made. I; asks only that I; be
given the facts aad they VIII be printed
fully and cheerfully.
The Fozt-IntellIgenger desires the
sosd viii Of the people az Alaska, and
Will further thclr legitimate interests
in every honorable way. bat 1t does not
propose - - bgll1ozed h. threats. any
more than 81 can he bought By any
ure r1gses e favor t. say that whl5si IS
uot tree. O. - suppress ths truth when
tas suppression VII nis1ea1 men 70
:he.g l,ss