The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-04-23

surd. He was whipped and he knew 1t
and was glad to quit.
PRESERVING THE RECORD.
AS a rule The Gazette is inclined to
overlook the weakness some of it's
contemporaries occasionally exhibit of
throwing boquets at themselves, rec
ognizing that newspapers, that is,
some of them, have the same weak
ness for indulging in self-praise that
besets certain individuals. When,
however, that weakness for bugle
blowing assumes the proportion of an
utter disregard for the truth with the
evident intention of deceiving the
newspaper reading public, then it re-
cedes from it's rule far enough to take
the trouble to set matters at right, not
for the sake of calling attention to
itself, but merely for the sake of de-
Tending truth, which gets SO many
hard raps without anybody caring
enough for the virtue to defend it.
The Gazette is not jealous of any of
it's contemporaries, and honestly and
sincerely r~ejoices when, any of them
is singled out by fortune to the ex-
tent of securing a good, fat advertis-
ing or other contract calculated to add
to it's revenue, for it. knows then that
there are still some good things to ex-
pect and that it may be it's W turn
the next time. Just now the Times
is feeling exceptionally we'll pleased
| with itself because it has secured the
contract for publishing the yearly list
of estrays taken up in the state, and
takes advantage of the opportunity
to make certain assertions calculated
to deceive, namely. in regard to circu-
lation. intimating that because of
it's widespread popularity and the
eagerness with which it is sought by
the people If the state it was singled out
above all other eastern Montana news
papers as the medium through which
the advertisement shall be made. The
same challenge which The Gazette is
sued a long time ago still occupies a
prominent place near the head of this
column, and the Times, although it
has ample time and opportunity to do
so, has never seen fit to take it up,
which must be accepted rs proof of
the Times timidity to enter into a
contest involving the matter of the
circulation of the two publications.
There is another matter which it may
not be amiss to refer to at this time:
The Gazette could probably have Sc
cured the same contract from which
it's contemporary seems to derive so
much satisfaction, had it cared to take
it at figures which every time the no
tees made their appearance would
have meant a clear loss to the publish
ers. While believing in competition,
The Gazette believes, in legitimate
and honest competition and does not
care enough for notoriety or favor in
certain directions to cause it to VIC
late every recognized law of honest
and honorable business. The Gazette,
like every other reputable enterprise
of this or any other community, is
conducted along business lines, and
when it must diverge from those lines
it is willing to retire and leave the
field to others, who are simply con
tent with what little glory there may
be in it and pocket losses complacant
ly, satisfied with the appeasement OF
their vanity. Furthermore, The Gaz
cite has always enueavored to the
extent of its ability to upbuild and
promote the best interests of the city
in which it makes it's home and has
never been found arrayed against
those similarly engaged. The Times
is welcome to whatever consolation
and satisfaction it may derive in being
designated as the recipient of favors
calculated to be of detriment to Itself
and if it .esires to conduct it's bust
ness for show and buster without re
ceiving anything more tangible or val
liable in return for it's labors, why
that is it's own affair and The Gazette
and all orner responsible and reput
able newspapers wish it joy. In con
Quoting it's business in that manner il
l must not, however, t%ransgress the
truth with the intention of belittlins
it's contemporaries, and above all no
The Gazette.
t AS was to be exDected. at the frs
e opportunity possible Minister LOOMS
denied the statements %concernin,
t President Castro he is alleged to hav,
r made in an interview cabled from
t San Juan when the minister was o
t his way to the United States. No maj
considered sufficiently intelligent t.
be appointed to SO responsible a pos
e ton as minister to a foreign govern
-. rv~,1l ~ 80 ss 1919