Morgan County democrat. (Versailles, Mo.) 1900-1906, 1905-02-03


and the Statesman has righteously been censurcd on
all sides. The injurious effect Of such articles as have
appeared in the Statesman are not only detrimental to
onr progressive little city, but their misleading sub
stances have been picked up and ~magnifed by nearby
exchanges and thus deprive our merchants Of a
large volume Of business that would other wise come
TO Versailles.
For instance, in I:ldon, Glcnstcd and several other
nearby towns, gossip has it that 200 cases OF smallpox
exist in Versailles. Other gossips report our city
quaran,incd. The facts arc there il not "A serious case
OF smallpox in the city at this time. Those infected
are being watched to prevent It's spread. The first APP
pcarancc Of the disease in Versailles iDr. T. q Kelly
member Of the Board Of Health being authority for
this stateinent) developed with ali cmployc at the
Roberts meat market on the east side Of the public
square last August. Nothing further oftha disease
came to the notice OF the health board until after the
fall term Of our public schools began. None have been
fatal, and at no time has the disease taken the form Of
All epidemic. The authorities have maintained a strict
and judicious prccaution to prevent serious consc-
qucnceS at all times.
The Statesman editor is given TO wicrd hallucina.
tons. This is not the first spasm he's had. Some
two years ago he made a vicious attack on the progress
Of the city and county and also on our citizens by
calling them ''miscrs, cranks and mossbacks," and Of
fercd "GJ cents for 40 cents worth OF improvements
having been done in Versailles in four years" Such
articles cininatIng from the local press are calculated
TO kill industrial Development.
These spells arc periodical with the Statesman,
but this time the editor Of that sheet over reached him
self. In his effort to produce something Sensational,
he touched the vital business Interests Of the very men
who were feeding his advertising COMMUNICATING
The neck Of the hen that had been laying the golden
egg for him, as it were. Publishing falscloods with
a tingc OF truth in a way TO Tighten trade away from
town and out OF the grasp Of his best patrons men
who had stood by HIM is the result Of these pcriodi-
cal fits, and these business men have determined to
effect a cure.
Owing TO the indiscrcetncss Of the statesman, these
same business men have been compelled to have the
above ahldavits printed in circular form and sent ont
all over the county TO rciutc his exaggerated charges,
and 10 show 10 the people the exact facts, and to cOun-
teract the poisoning of their minds with "tcau head
lines" and false statements.
The DEmOCKAI has, up 10 the present time, been
the only paper in town 10 maintain silcuce on THIS sub.
l"ct, but IN justice to our merchants as well as those
who may wish TO trade IN Versailles We take the mat
ter NJ ana will aid the authorities in every way posi-.
bic 10 correct the exaggerated reports that have gone
out w" have kept ourselves advised on all move
mcnts, but were willing 10 leave tho situation in the
hands Of proper officials, there beng time enough
should radical measures be necessary. The Statesman
would have used better judgment had lis editor taken
the same position.