Amador ledger., 1907-01-18
A Weak Position.


of much experience, sold the San
+ Francisco Argonaut, and retired from
the newspaper field. He gives as the
main reason for his retirement, that
could not indorse the administration
of president Roosevelt, and that re
publican paper is in duty bound to
support the official acts of the head
of the party. Not being able con-
scientiously TO do this he laid down
his editorial pen and retired. Such
an excuse must strike the average
editor as preposterous. The PROPOSE
tions laid down are utterly inten-
able. Such conduct on the part of
journalist is party treachery, instead
of in the line of party duty. If all
editors we're of the same composition
as the late owner of the Argonaut,
what sorry spectacle they would
present, as dumb eXponents of the
greatest political organization on
earth. 1t is not only the privilege.
but the solemn duty of the republican
press to speak out and protest against
any usurpation of authority by party
managers or representatives. Only
by so doing can the party be kept
true to its principles and It's glorious
past.
There always has been and always
will be, a wide divergence of opin
ions on subordinate questions within
the ranks of the republican party.
The same is true with regard to other
parties. Men can no more think
alike or believe alike on a number
of political questions. than they can
on other subjects. As long as an
issue is limited to one subject,
partisans must line up on one side or
the other. There is no neutral
multiplied. it is next to Impossible
to secure unanimity among the adher-
ents of the same political organlza-
tion on all the subjects. The re-
publican party does not expect Its
membe to do violence to their con-
victions on minor question. Neither
are they required to stitie their
diverse view under the plea of secur-
ing party harmony. No political
platform was ever framed that would
or could meet the views of ever
individual member of the party. We
are made to differ, and we can agree
to differ. We have right to ventiIate
our differences. There Is no treason
to party in so doing. Rather it is
duty we owe to ourselves and the
organization to which we belong to
criticise what we believe to be wrong
in party affairs. whether the misstep
be made by the head of the nation, or
others in authority 10 shirk this
duty is cowardly. 1t is only by
free discussion of questions in issue
that any party can move forward in
the cause of right and progress.
In another column will be found
an advertisement for bids for doing
the printing for the city for the ensu-
ing year. A startling feature of this
official notice is that the successful
bidder is required to furnish a copy
of the paper free to each official OF
the city government--niue persons in
all. Maybe, the full import of such
a provision never dawned upon the
city fathers when they passed up such
a resolution to public print. We
refrain from extended comment at
this time. The board will have an
opportunity before next issue to
withdraw this peculiar phase of busi-
ness. But inasmuch, as the notice
has been thus scattered broadcast
through these columns, we deem it
in justice to ourself to say that we
absolutely decline to be made a party
to impose upon the city taxpayers in
the manner proposed. At a rough
estimate, the city printing, under the
past years contract, has amounted to
about Sl00. Estimating the same
amount for the coming year-nine
free subscription as jolnder, would
either mean an increase of % per
cent in the amount of the bid, or
trade concession to that extent to
the officials named. We do not
believe the officials want any such
favors; and for our part. we absolute
ly refuse to be governed by such a
condition. Perhaps, that was the pur-
pose of the condition. A brother
journalist, too, joined in the passage
of this amazing resolution.
Congressman W. +. Englebright of
the first district has been appointed a
member of the important committee
on mines and mining. This is very
important position for this district,
and will put him in the way of doing
good service for the mining inter ests
of California.
Mothers who give their children
Kennedv's Laxative Cough Syrup
Invariably indorse it. Children like
it because the taste is so pleasant.
Contains honey and tar. 1t is the
original Laxative cough syrup and Is
unrivaled for the relief of group.
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