The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1902-02-27
WHY ExAaGERATE1

In speaking Of Johnson City, why is
it necessary to exaggerate or make de-
liberately false statements? 1t seems
to THE COMET that the truth is good
enough. Correspondents to out-of-
town papers in writing about the Sol
diers Home have no trouble to make so
cars of material out of ten, and local
paper has the drying shed at the brick
plant, being built by J. E. Parish, Gov
ering seven acres, when in reality ii is
only about 125x15O feet, This plant
will make about so, 900 brick day and
will dry them by steam and burn them
in a modern furnace. 1t is large
enough when the truth is told without
exageration. The same may be said
about the work at the Home and every
thing else in the city. El
A great many people have their eyes
turned toward Johnson City and are
coming here to get work. tits not at al
unlikely that there will be half dozer
men to do each job in any event, bu'
If these statements are continued thu
excess will become even greater, an(
as it will be class Of people who mus
live in the sweat Of their face it is bu
fair that they have the true situation
before them so they can act intelligent
ly. THE COMET will endeavor to bring
people to johnson City, but will no
try to do SO under false pretsnses.
There is another form Of misropre
sentation being INDUCED in by CORE
spondents that is doing the town NJ
good. The following is a sample. l
is special from this city to the Nash
vile Banner under date of Feb. nth:
"a great sensation has been pro
duced here because of the burning G
the Clark house on West Main street
this being the house at which youn
Babb was killed two weeks since
Some say the building was set on fir
to burn up the women therein VIII
might testify in the case against Camp
bell. Others have different view {
the cause of the fire. The matter
being fully investigated by the propt
officials and those interested in til
case.
The better class of people of til
town are determined that such der
shall not exist here regardless of Ii
loss OF property, and 80 openly exprei
themselves. "
, THE COMET does not pretend
know why the house was burned, if b
an incendiary, but it was known gel
orally over the city that the woms
! who testified against Campbell hs
: been taken from the building within
few days after the killing, and was b
ing cared for by the authorities at
D restaurant in the city, therefor Il
{ house could not have been burned
o destroy her, and it looks as if this W
e an attempt to create prejudice.
is the last clause Of the Especial til
we wanted to call your attention
It 1t is alleged that the ''better class" b
Q determined to become incendiaries
It necessary to rid the town Of these nj
8 sances. OF course this is not true, nj
it is not fair that corresponds
lshould send statement thus chargil
our good people with burning Il
CLARK house and q determination
continue this process until the town
purified or destroyed. When the 'bt
ter class" get ready to act the law
ample to assist them. They can n
n only prosecute the keeper of SUI
y houses, but can prosecute the own
= for renting for SUCH purposes.
y THE COMET thinks that Johnson Oh
:, has as good citizenship as any tov
= Of it's size in the state, and il knoV
g that the ''better class" referred to
not in the habit Of thus violating Il
law. We do not believe that any &C
respondent does these things ma
; ciously, but it should not be done
all. II it is kept up johnson City W
have Kentucky reputation not to
| proud Of.
q Editor Reaves, of the Hardeman FIR
1 Press, has finished his thrilling roman
I "Ten Nights in Volcano; or the Hi
tory of an Extemporaneous Jag"
will be published as a serial in TT
Gentleman's Home Journal. CONNIE