The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1908-04-16
EDITORIAL COMMENT

Ella OI<A<Ak ~O1vAAvAASAN
Just as everyone expected, George La Toilette
Hansbrouga- Plazasmith has begun his attack on A.
]. De Lance, commissioner Of the Fourth commits
sioner district of Ward county. In a recent Is.
sue Smith vented his spleen on Mr.. De Lance and
did him an injustice. Mr. Smith accused Mr.. De
Lance of being the Father of the resolution which
provided for the publication of list of the paupers
of Ward county in the official papers of the county.
IA matter of fact Mr.. De Lance did not Introduce
the resolution, which Mr.. Smith can verify IT he
will take the trouble to look up the records. The
commissioners have much sympathy for the county's
poor and needy person ever asked tor aims IN
Ward county without getting the desired assistance
OF course there calls made every day or SO Tor
help by those who do not really need assistance
and who would have plenty of money If it were not
for the fact that they too lazy to work, and 1t
was to head of just such as these that the COM
missoners decided to pass such resolution. We
will admit that there features about the resolu
ton that do not like yet it is fact that this
has saved the tax payers hundreds Of dollars, be-
cause is not so likely to ask for aid unless he
really needs it. And again, it is almost necessary
to publish the names of those getting aid from the
county, for the tax payers have perfect right to
know who is being aided and who is not Otherwise
halt the county might be supported by the other
nothing to do with Smiths attack upon Mr.. De
Lance In January Mr.. Smith tried to induce Mr..
De Lance to appoint the Plaza Pioneer, of which
paper he is editor an official paper for Ward county
Mr.. De Lance had the privilege of appointing one
paper in his district official, and naturally selected
his home paper the Ross Promoter. OF course
Smith did like it, in fact he grew very hostile
and made up his mind right away that he would do
knocking" He couldn't say anything against
Mr.. De Lance's ability honesty for right down in
his heart he realizes that Mr.. De Lance is one of
the best commissioners Ward county has ever had,
and undoubtedly would now be throwing bouquets at
him had the Pioneer been made an official paper.
In fact the following letter which Mr.. Smith wrote
to Mr. De Lance few days after the papers were
made Official will show just where Mr.. Smith stands,
and why he is attacking the Ross commissioner at
this time. This letter will show the Plaza editor up
In the light of almost blackmailer for in it Mr..
Smith virtually says, Throw me business or I'll
knock you" Pound away you little threefor-a penny
foppist your readers all next to you, and If
they are not, they will be after they read the fol-
lowing letter:
Plaza, N D., Jan. Is, 1908
Mr.. A. J. De Lance,
MfnOt, N. D.
Dear Sir:
am just In receipt Of letter from Mack CMc-
Gahan) stating that the Pioneer was not appointed
OF the Official papers. note the Ross Promoter
appointed, and am satisfied that you could
have gotten the Pioneer appointed had you not been
first for the Promoter know it is natural for one
to favor his home town, but inasmuch as Ross has
a commissioner, feel that they should not also
have the official paper. (The audacity Of Smith,.
You have made your own choice and hope that
the Ross Promoter will do you much good as
would have sought to have done, had you worked
SO effectively for me- (Here is where Smith Stops
over. He admitted in the last sentence that he
could have been bought to say nice things about
De Lance for of pottage)
With five commissioner districts, you could
hardly hope to have two official papers in your dis
trict and you got the you chose Willis didn't
get the Clipper appointed atho he might have done
so, I'll for nothing in the campaign too bad)
and be in a position to do as please (Can do a
little knocking if ne wants toy. If you candi-
date for commissioner next year, and there are
other candidates, I will support you for second
place, with the same degree of earnestness as you
did Yours truly,
Geo. ]. Smith.