Evening journal., 1899-06-05

For several weeks past rumors OF the
sale of the Evening Journal to Peter J.
Ford have been rife. These rumors have
1ot heretofore been denied, but have
rather been encouraged by Ford. and the
Evening Journal management has not
been in a position to deny them.
Now that the bottom has dropped out
Of Fords rascally scheme to secure for
himself a newspaper for a song. the Even
ing Journal believes that IL is due - it.
self its patrons and to the Democratic
party Of which Peter J. Ford assumes to
be a leader, to make such denial in
manner so emphatic as to leave no shade Y
OF doubt in the mind OF anybody as to ex-
actly what position Ford does occupy in
the premises.
For the past ten or twelve years Peter
]. Ford and Charles W. Edwards have
been close friends. In years gone by,
when Ford was ION his uppers," more
than once has no borrowed the check OF
Nj Edwards to save what credit he then
had. And as Ford progressed in politics,
he has always had the support Of this pa
per freely and unstintedly. To our recol-
lection, never but once was Ford denied
anything he asked for which was in oar
power to give. That vas i'm the Bancroft
campaign
opposition of this paper to Samuel Ban
croft, Jr When Ford was asked for a
reason why he was 50 earnest in his sup
port OF Mr.. Bancroft. he replied that Mr..
Bancroft had stood by him in his trou-
bles: that he was for Mr.. Bancroft not
on political but on personal grounds; that
he would be for Mr.. Bancroft were ha
running on the Republican ticket; that
oF w harunEH
Of his gratitude to Mr.. Bancroft for past
favors Of a business nature.
Ford was told that many others had
been asked to advance a good reason for
supporting Mr.. Bancroft. but that his was
the only good reason so far given; that
we respected him for his fidelity to a man
who had befriended him. but that we were
sorry that we had to deny his request.
II was during that interview that Ford
Remarked III ] ever get into a position
where l can, III have newspaper. and
I'll mako men and break men," Thes'
recollections come to us in view Of Ford
recent notion that he had gotten into Z
position whero no could have a news
paper
Tho public generally will recollect thl
generous support given Ford by this pape
in his aspiration for the gubernatoria
nomination three years ago. In our blin'
belief in the integrity. courage and trust
worthness of Ford, this paper committee
itself 90 Ford against all Corners. hafor
the nomination convention was held
something we have since admitted we ha
no right, as a party newspaper to do. Blu
we did st, and in quoting a remark %
Hon. Whitelaw Reds, on one occasior
made to the writer. Charlie. the bes
men sometimes make the worst mistakes,
we acknowledge our error.
After years Of such friendship for Ford
we felt no hesitancy in going to him 70
relief in n time OF need. A suit wa
brought against us in the Superior Coul
OF this county wherein we were require
to give bond for $4,000. Ford went o
that bond. While the real debt was some
thing over 81, 100. against which We sti
believe we have a just reason for with
holding judgment, an unconscionable vel
: dict of $4,000 was given against us froi
which an appeal was taken to the 81
preme Court. In taking this appeal
was necessary to bond In the Supren
Court in the sum Of $4,000. the latter bon
taking the place OF the first bond Of So 90
Fordwas applied TO to go on the new bon'
and the proposition was made to secW
giving him a mortgage on the who
plant OF the Journal Printing Compan
y In the course of the negotiations a detail'
statement Of the companys affairs WI
voluntarily made to Ford. which show
the chief liability to be $4,000 due TO Il
Union National Bank, for the payment
which was pledged $4,000 OF the cor
81 pany's bonds and 800 shares Of the capt.
stoclr ~ the companv
Ford thereupon said: why not let I
q pay off the bank and get that $4,000 O
of the way?'
The reply was: 1.-THE bank has not as
ed for payment and the loan can be ca
ried at the bank by reducing It from til
TO time"
Then Ford asked: "If / so on the DO
in the Supreme Court, wouldn't my s
curity be better if had the Union Bal
n loan. too?"
The answer was; Undoubtedly
would. because you would have practical
81 all of the liability. and all OF the cola
erals in your own hands; but the ba