The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1899-12-29
A SENSELESS SENSATION
The Morning Organ Places the Nus
ser Family in a False Light.
They Are Not Objects Of Charity, MOI
Have They Received an Immense
Contribution Of Supplies.

The greatly heralded deed OF charity,
90 fulsomely slobbered over in the
morning organ of everything that is
vile, turns ont TO have been gratu-
itions insult TO are unfortunate but not
a pauperized family.
The Musser family resent being held
up before the public as objects Of char
ity, that they may be used as a club to
batter the city council, by the organ Of
as rotten gang Of irresponsible grafters
as ever afflicted a city of salems size.
As stated In the Journal Jared Musser
is regularly employed at l.. NJ. Kinks
feed store. lie gets his wages every
Saturday night; and he does not like
the statement that he is letting his
family suffer for the necessaries Of life.
While few Injuries are available, he
says that they have not yet missed hav-
ing three square meals day.
II is a fact that they are short of bed
ding and clothing, which was necessarily
destroyed after being infected by small
pox. However this will be replaced by
the money which will be ordered paid TO
them at the council meeting tonight,
amounting 10 SlI0. In the mean time
some bedding from the defunct Orphans
Home has been placed at their disposal.
IL was a great surprise when the
members OF the Musser family heard OF
their utter destitution; and In regard to
there not being sack Of flour in the
house, az stated by the morning disciple
Of Ananias, It is fact that Musser's
employer handles flour, and the false
statement IL an unwarranted slap at
Musser.
The morning What-is.it slops over
with n long account OF the charitable
action of employees Of the insane asylum,
whom II represents as simple enough
TO accept it, first uniounded statement
rs reliable. II says they raised sub
scription and "before night the family
had been supplied with lot Of grocer.
les, etc.
As matter OF fact no groceries what
ever have been received by the family
from that source, either on Sunday or
since, unless bundle left on the door
step Sunday night, by someone unknown,
after the family had retired, came from
the asylum. The bundle contained IA
roll OF butter, glass OF je lily, a jar OF
fruit and dress waist, and a. II could
not be returned TO the donor IL was ac-
cepted with due appreciation for the
motives of the unknown friend.
A sack OF flour was sent TO the house
on Sunday morning but Mrs. Battersby
declined TO accept II, and IL was taken
back to the store. Wednesday IL was
again brought TO the house and left
there with the statement that IL had
been paid for and they might as well
take IT, II is now unopened in the
house. This did not come from the asy-
lum hut from an individual. No other
have been sent to the
AIusser family, nor has any cord OF
wood shown up, except as stated by
Henry Sonnemann in another column.
IL il a fact that many charitable peo-
Pile, including serveral merchants, were
ready TO help, but, being iustifiably
suspicious Of the sensational statements,
investigated the matter quietly and con-
nluded not TO offend the people in ques-
ton with charity.
The Musser family appreciate the
kindly interest aud commendable mo-
lives Of all those who have offered help
since Sunday morning, when they were
placed In false light before the public
but they wish II understood that they
ire not in need Of and do not care 10
accept charitable contributions from
my source.
The truth Is either that the whole
natter was worked up, in an unaocount-
,ble fit of mental alteration on the part
Il the so.called Statesman's informants,
which was quickly seized upon 10y the
EDITORIAL end OF the unspeakable aggre-
,ation as a chance to make capital
Igainst the best business administration
hat Salem ever had or else the whole
lirty aud senseless scheme was concoct-
VI in the brain of the discredited cham
,iens OF rotten and plundering city
government.
The one truthful statement which
tands out in the halt-column of sense
ess preyarlcation, like black current
tuck in dreamy expense Of dough, is
hat the'long-over,due" bills against the
ity were presented 70 the council AT
he regular meeting ON Dec, 3.
They were referred To committee in
'egular order of business There was
IN immense grist of these bills as the
aNpayers know TO their sorrow, and the
contrary 10 the custom OF
ome former councils, carefully scruten-
ze and investigate each bill. The re-
ult was that at the regular meeting ON
Dec. 10, the committee asked for more
ime, which was granted, and the coun.
il holds special meeting this evening
or the express purpose Of disposing OF
aid bills, the just ones OF which viii be
laid.