The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1909-12-29

tive position or crushed under the weight of its
civic and industrial paws, if he fights the beast.
Is there such a beast in Kentucky Can You
recall any recent legislative conventions and
primaries in this district, and the attitude
of the News-Democrat in the contests Has the
News-nemocrat access to reliable information
about the beastl Is it close to the beastl
Listen, and Wen show you that the News
Democrat is so close to the beast that it is part
of the thing, and we III show you what part OF
the beast it is
When the News Democrat said, at is reli-
ably reported that the clerks of Second class
cities will be empowered to appoint the city
printers of their cities, it gave away its own
relationship to the beast. Anything the News
Democrat says on that point ought to be ''re-
table,; for the bill was prepared by stockhod-
ers of the Democrat. Hon Gene Graves
representative of McCracken county, dstin-
guished himself by introducing that very bill at
the last session. Most citizens have not forgot
ten that the city clerk formerly let the city
printing contract and that the News-Democrat
management secured a legislative act, transfer
ing the power to the city attorney, because of
differences between that paper and the clerk.
Tom Harrison was city attorney. Before his
term was out he gave the contract to The Even
ing Sun and then returned it to the News-Demo-
crat with the consent of The Evening Sun. His
successor is Attorney A. Y. Martin, who con-
scientiously desiring to publish the proceedings
and ordinances in the paper of the largest crcu-
laton, gave the contract to The Evening Sun.
We had nothing to do with changing the char
ter. If we have benefited by it, thank God we
retain self-respect along with the printing.
Lexington has gone Republican. 1t is in our
class. If the News-Democrat, which mixes in
these matters, thought it was originally an err
ror sufficient to warrant its interference for the
clerk to award the contract, why should it not,
having once gained victory, make fight to
retain the authority in the hands of the city at
torney9
The answer is: because it is also a part of
the beast. 1t is the tail of the monster, lashing
the underbrush with fury when the jungle is
beat up, or wagging in ecstatic anticipation of
some juicy morsel the nose smells. Some day
this tail will be pinched down against the hind
quarters of the beast and curled in rigid are
under its belly, the last thing to be seen by
mortal eye as it skulks forever into the oblivion
of all bad things.
But inst now the tail is wagging in anticipa-
ton; for even the tail of a beast demands some
Inourishment. If the News Democrat were an
independent entity like The Evening Sun, il
would not have to take nourshment through
the digestive system of d Jungle beast, but could
depend on the Legitimate returns of honest en-
deavor. It's activities in this instance indicate
its nature. The eyes of the beast are in Louis
vile, its mouth is in Frankfort, and its paws
extend over the Blue Grass, hut its tail stretch
es through the Purchase. 1t can turn its back
on the Old Gibraltar with perfect safety, and
thresh the brush from motives originating IL
Jefferson county.
And yet, we pity this poor, half starved
writing, NANCY rear appendage of the fat
beast of the middle part. 1t withers and loses
its hair when from internal causes the courses
of nutrition are stopped up; and in its blind
motions it tears itself cruelty on the brush out
here in the sticks It's use is to wag with de
light and lash with fury at the dictates of the
head, and Tor that it receives what nourish
ment is not needed by the other parts.
1t was scarcely comprehensive that the tai
| of beast of prey could be so sensitive to the
thrill of the chase and the dependency of dis
Appointed hopes as this one is.
| Not for us are these pleasures and despars
| High aspiration and successful achievement
carry with them responsibilities and obliga
tons that cut one off from low enterprises
What might be reckoned only pardonable cum
ning in contemporary, would be condemned
IN representative newspaper like The Even
ing Sun, with its wide circulation, high ideals
and progressive policy, as treason to the people
|
i