The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-05-09
BIRDS OF A FEATHER.


There IL an old truism that birds
of feather flock together" and It ID
frequently exemplIfied by inintesimai
journalists whose associations render
them incapable Of expressing an hon-
est sentiment upon any question OF
public policy. II local newspaper
criticises what it deems extravagance
IN the administration OF city or county
affairs. and it not infrequently hits
some member of the Dolly Warden con-
tingent described under the euphon-
ious title of citizens party. this itch
bacillus of deforned Journalism rushes
into the arena, upholding the action
and extravaganza, possibly upon the
theory of public policy for the party
IN power. These not infreQuent at
tacks on The Astorian have created
considerable amusement. and so gro
tesquely ridiculous are some OF the
far-fetchej arguments advanced that
they remind readers of work on
"Roughing IT. by Mark Twain, but in
their condensed form they resemble
somewhat Aesop's Fables.
II Is impossible for either the public
or a respectable journal to take the
conceit out OF little kids who have
evidently shed their infantile wardrobe
before they were ripe. and the game 10
not worth the powder. for in addition
to dead ads and boiler plate there
must be at least a column devoted to
ineligant effusion in advocacy OF the
right of the party in power to care for
the political pets and see that place
Is provided for them at the public crib
where services rendered is not as
much of an inducement as inflated
remuneration. 1t matters not how high
the prices charged, or how exhorbitant
the fee demanded, If it goes into the
pockets of the faithful" but on the
contrary, there is no virtue in any OF
the acts of officers or members OF
any other political organization.
A public journal is a public critic
and its criticisms are appreciated by
a large majority of the intelligent peo-
nle provided the criticisms are justified
by the facts and as long as they are
not confined to any distinct political
organization, but are published for the
public good and in the interests OF the
taxpayers, irrespective Of race, color
or previous condition Of ssrvitude
Criticisms based upon unbiased OF
preiudiced argument, have their weight
and influence, while on the contrary
insipid arguments by idiotic freaks
renresentiuR the vile and vicious ele-
ment OF the community from whence
no remuneration for s"-vices rendered
or an appreciative vvte Of franks u
ever rendered, have no more weight
than snow ball in the future home Of
the democratic party. and are not ever
appreciated by the few Intelligent
members Of the citizens party, as ele'
ments of weakness and deprayity art
too apparent for careful consideration
The Astorian Is ever ready to dis
cuss questions Of public importance
from an impartial and meritoriou
standpoint with any respectable jour
nal Of standing in the state. but 1t ha-
neither the time nor inclination to pa
serious attention to every whiffet tina
is constantly barking at It's heei'
neither to bring any Journal INT
prominence whose mission on earth
a mystery to the reading public Their
IL nothing to be gained by persona
antagonism, and very few people en-
10y reading "roasts," where there
no meat or gravy, but simply a drie
M bone that wouldn't make soup Il
a Navajoe Indian. If journalist
freaks desire to practice on The Al
torian for what innocent amusemel
and pastime It brings. there will ce
tainly be no objection, and while
may he nauseating to the public, the
Is always a time in every mans II
when he is compelled TO take ph.
sic in order to relieve his system
an over production Of gall and to r
Iieye the strain on his mental fact
ties. There is no community b
which at some time or another in
existence has not been afflicted wi
calanaties or infested with superv
caneous sores on the body polite, a
Astoria is no exception to the rule.
BUSINESS PROPOSITION.