New-York tribune., 1905-12-31
W1KEFTELD'S M4NTFESTO.
No Newspaper Misrepresentation
Without T'aration.

Tn in Massachusetts, the spirit of T6 still
burns Bunker Hill is not forgotten. Liberty
again lifts her head This time it is not Ervtng
WinsloW and the antiimpeVialists who prove It,
hut The Wakefield Daily Item" This publ
cation is small item in the total of
American newspapers, but It is a big innovefor
none the less It hns lust enunciated a new
policy as startling as the Boston Tea Party. 1t
glows-this small, four page paper-wtth the
spirit of Lexington and Concord
Wakefield. Mass. IS town OF nine or ten
thousand Inhabitants, not FAR north Of Boston.
1t used TO be South Reading TIL Cyrus Wake
field the manufacturer Of rattan furniture. gave
IL town hail. drinking trough and various
other bequests. Then. In decent gratitude. it
became Wakefield Although IT boasts
daily paper all its "en1inent citizens" still
known personally by everybody in town and
until the editor of The Daily Item issued his
epoch making manifesto these men and their
toings were always chronicled in the most
glowing IN the local journal Nobody
was ever married IN the local pa per: "nuptials
were celebrated with a happy bridegroom
snd a Flushing bride" IN short, the columns
ef THE ITEM were like those OF other country
papers all over New-England Cand elsewhere);
the paper furnished amusement TO chance met
ropolitan readers and fattered the vanity of
its regular subscribers without any pecuniary
ing of the truth.
But that is no more. Hark 10 The Items"
manifesto:
After careful deliberat1on Tho Daily Item"
has decided adopt a plan yet untrted in
this vicinity. but which we hope VIII be suc-
cessfuI. Since "The Daily item" was esta blished
# has been handing out compliments right and
left but hereafter ali persons desiring puffs
must conform TO the following schedule OF
For announcing to the public that a citizen
is "a successful business man when the whole
county knows that he IS a financial failure and
lazier than q government mule, SS re.
For referring TO lecturer or public speaker
as having exceptional orator4cal powers and
n charming personality when he talks like A
class IA a stammerer's institute and has a face
that would deran an express train and man
vusions. IS IL
Advertising hash house LAYOUT as a de
Ecious collation." when g hot dog and roll"
would be a banquet IN comparison. 81 90
F1ulogfzing a deceased citizens "one
InourTed by the entire community" when his
familiar face Will be missed only al a second
sclass poker circle. $40 %.
Calling ofiiceseeker efficient town
official" when every one knows that he Is a
FOR him. 81 %
Speaking OF a singer as having rich bass"
or "sweet and delicate soprano. when in reality
1t would require roll Of sandpaper a burnfsh-
ing machine and nickel plating outfit to make
i SIS pass muster i sang Of street Aavksrs.
fTt WI be noticed that this is the extreme
peLa1INs showing IlaL ne Item editor Is
man OF taste
Referring 70 entertainment as "a financial
success" when the committee has only paid for
the orchestra and stu owes for printing adver-
Using. use OF hall and other Incidentals. SIS 70
Reporting e dance social function as the
event Of the season" when everybody sat round
and wished that it was over 81 IS
Sending doubtful hypocr!te and sinner 10
heaven, SO rs.
Calling a common pulpit FOUNDER" an tent
neut divine" 60c
This. II viii be observed Is the minimum
charge. Probably that IS because the editor
knowing the salaries country ministers are paid
knows Il IS al he collect
Referring to gang OF young hoodiunas who
smoke cigarette butts the street corners
break windows aud make the night hideous gen
orally as the coming generation" and Young
America" zzso.
Violating the sscred laws Of truth and verac-
sly by calling galavanting. flirting female an
-'estln1able young lady and the belle Of the
town when q business man would rather see
Satan himself coming S6 9s.
There are many others. which viii appear on
the schedule later.
The outcome Of this bold and interesting blow
for the true liberty OF the press-for no ulisrep-
resentatiou without taxauon,--win be watched
eagerly BY everybody. not only in Wakefield.
Mass but also II the outlying districts. such as
4es.oas PaBtue<stz and NsE-xeEE ~