Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1899-03-23
4 LIBEL ON MIR. BURHANs.


The. Standard publishes an article
signed "A Republican, in which an
attempt Is made to Willy the name and
standing of Levi A. Burhans, the Re-
publican nominee for commissioner OF
schools, as honorable young man as
lives In Ionia county The article was
was offered To the Sentinel for publ
cation, but was declined, of course, as
the Sentinel is not in the habit OF adj
uniting to its columns what it believes
TO be unwarranted attacks upon the
fairly chosen nominees of the Itepubi-
can party. Moreover, 1t desired TO in
vestigate the matter for itself and
ascertain whether there was any real
ground for so grave an accusation as
was contained in the communication,
or whether (as has proved to be the
casel II was simply another form of the
same bugaboo which was used two
years ago against Mr.. Hale.
The Sentinel has given the subject
very thorough investigation, and does
not hesitate to say that in its judgment
the charge against Mr.. Burhans, that
he gave out questions improperly at
an examination for teachers certif-
Gates, has no more foundation in fact
than had the similar charge made two
years ago against Mr.. Hale, which was
answered in the weekly Sentinel Of
April l, 1897, as follows:
A Libel on MIR. Hale
There is O wall going up from the teach
ers against favoritism by the board Of school
examiners. At the recent teachers examna
tion In Ionia some teachers had the questions
the day before the examination (lhursday
evening" and now Mr.. Hale owns up in the |
Portland Observer that he gave a teacher a
hrst grade certificate as a matter OF kindness. |
How do teachers who work for their certif- |
Gates like this business-Ionia Standard
1.-THE above is not only lie but a |
libel. 1t is not only untrue but is i'm |
possible that it should be true. The |
questions came from the superintendent |
OF public instruction TO the county com
missioner under seal. The seal was
broken IN the presence OF the teachers
at the examination. Therefore when
the Standard asserts that some teach
ers had the questions the day before
the examinations, IL utters libelous
for which it ought to be
brought to account not only before the
bar of public opinion but in the courts"
1t is a significant fact right here,
that one of the afiidavits purporting to
be signed by j. M. Chapman, and which
IS being used for the purpose OF injur-
ing Mr.. Burhans, and which states
that a certain teacher at certain ex-
amination had CERTAIN pestlons in he-
anS upon 0eTng interro- !
gated she said that Levi (meaning
Mr.. Burhans,) gave them to me; |
tand in with Levi, :" is actually dated
n June, 1897, nearly two years ago.
1t is quite plain that this ridiculous
,harge is instigated by the same per- !
ous who thought that the Republican
party ought TO nominate Mr.. Murphy, |
and circulated by the same interested
parties who sought to defeat Mr.. Hale
~ similar trumpet up charges.
The charge against Mr.. Burhans
eems TO be like the one against Mr..
Hale, Not only lie, but libel, F." and
las not even the merit of being new.
The basis for il seems to be the follow
ng affidavit of John NJ. Chapman, the
Democratic candidate for school com
which is said to be supported
Dy several others of a similar character:
"a True Copy.)