The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-10-30
THE BLUFF DOESN'T WORK.

a Nj Smith. Democratic candidat
for the mayoralty Of Astoria; az
knowledged political boss, Of tina
persuasion, Of the said city; other
wise an alround good fellow ha.
RUN his little bluff On The Mornins
Astorian in the shape of a writer
threat to sue the whole outfit unless
it abates its policy and handles him
with more circumspection and con
consideration. He AYERS that the AS.
torian has assaiIed his private char
aefer and professional standing and,
III various and sundry ways, invaded
the sancity Of his inner and unim-
peachable sphere Of life and action.
All If which the Astorisn denies
cheerfuily and aatiy.
That it has, land shall continue to)
touch Upon his political aspirations
and career dufiHg the pending cam
paign in this city, goes without say
ing; il denies nothing in this rela-
ito, and intends to say more. As a
leading politician. an admitted can
didate, and presumptive boss of
w
bis party he is plain game for pub
lie discussion and no one knows 1t
better than he. His private status
does not enter, and has not entered,
into this matter by so much as an
allusien; and his letter of threat, on
file in this office, must Be construed
in tie light Of ''baby-act' until II
finds better substance in the courts,
wherein the Morning Astorian and
all its people, with a borde of Others,
are perfectly wilIig to appear, upon
the proper summons.
4. n. Smith may not absolve him
self from the charges Of political per
fdy raised by the Astorian, and hun
dreds ci citizens, in his relation TO
and conduct of the late bogus con-
vention dubbed Citizens" but which
was nothing more or less than
Democratic trick and trap. engineer /
ed and governed with that intent and |
to that end; a gross repetition Of |
several other conventions Of the
same identical sort in which, and
With which, he has figured, always /
With greater or lesser authority, |
lowsoever he came by it.
The Morning Astorian is the ac-
.nowledged Republican organ Of this
;ity; newspaper with reputation
Is honorable and as valuable as Mr..
smiths own; and if a legal balance
S to be struck on such an issue, we
ire quite amenable, even If it begins
odsy Neither Mr. Smith nor his
riends must make any mistake on
bis score. As such organ and news +
,aper the Astorian will continue to
i've the news, construe the news,
md discuss the people behind that
lews, in such manner as II deems ap-
,licable and just and within the pro-
,ince Of a public journal, he, and his
constituency to the contfary-not-
vithstanding.
When a man is too tlin-slinned
o bear the pressure Of public, criti-
al comment it is time he retired
rom the range Of that criticism; get
,ut Of the glare and renouhce his in
crest and part in the fight he him
elf has precipitated and champion
d; else he will suffer more than NOR
al can endure. There is an element
f the sardonic in Mr., Smiths COM
laint and protest, verging sharply
II the ridiculous, and it will not sur
rise us if in the early days to come,
n. Smith himself will laugh at it.
'ut be that as It may; laugh or :
lreat, Or fight we are in this poll
cal campaign to stay, and no end
!, the ammunition necessary to car
I it on as we have planned it Z
There is open and wide revolt (,
DOT in this city against the whole {
lie con6scation Of property under !
Y present charter provisions for !
rect improvement in Astoria and {
sainst innumerable other burdens S
ID dangers Of an administrative
#, imposed at the instance Of A.
I. Smith and his partisans for the "
st ten years, and the Morning as a
rian Is the only organ the revolu- +,