Newark post., 1911-04-26
"AS IT SEEMS TO US"

min Franklin's autobiography in which
he says that experience has taught hln
that the way to convince another is
to state your case moderately and ac
curately, and then scratch your head,
or shake it little and say that that
is the way it seems to you. but thar OF
course you may be mistaken about it,;
which causes your listener to receive
what you say, and like as not, turn
about and try 10 convince you OF it
but il you go at him with a tone o.
arrogance, you on.y make an opponent
OF him"
The above is quotation from let
ter written by Mayor Gaynor some
time ago to friend. and printed in one
OF this months magazines.
The trouble in Newark over the lease
assumes new form every day The
case changed entirely when the Lignt
and Water Company refused to give
bond and agreed that receiver be
appointed pending the trial rega~,a.n,,ar
the legality OF the lease 80 I'S .,s
.ne oiu :,,, Sou,iei 'i, - vas in accord
ance win the G1shes OF those repre-
sentlne Opposition.
,,h., .,lAl'day, however, there was sone
S~inlss:' o. reversal in this sentiment
.ISlhe expense. liable from the appoint
ment OF receiver has caused some
hesitancy and to us this seems wise.
The POST had thought it wise to
make no further comments as il has
been almost impossible to secure az
curate information.
The attitude OF this paper has been
severely criticised, and, as we mention
ed once before its future threatened.
We have been charged with eva ding
the issue. This is not the case. We
have been honest in the sand taken
for what we thought the best interest
Of he town and all concerned. Whe-
ther that stand is interpreted as An
honest conviction is, in the end. OF lit
tie concern MEN will so respect
an honest opinion. even ii wrong
others don't matter.
Realizing our lite consequence, il
may be assuming a great deal TO make
further suggestions. But from the pre-
cedenr established, that every one can
express an opinion, especially a news
paper, we take our cue from old Frank
lin, state our case moderately ly-and this
is the way it seems to us.
We stand today just where we did at
the beginning. That is, we are in ac-
cord with the spirit OF the times in the
public ownership OF public vi .ities.
Ais othat the Electric Light and Water
Plant can never be success unl er
supervision OF Council elected very
two years.
We favor in connection with Coun-
Gil public utility COMMISSION 1o nave
ohcn',ta oh ~ ,h,e ,t
The pan in operation a. Milford IS
the best OF which we know A COM
mission OF five serving FIVE years. a
new ran entering the board every
year. This leaves four old men on
the Commission all The time who can
more efficiently operate the plants
than is possible by changing mell-
bership OF Council
We have no proof that cd Council
acted otherwise than whar they thought
was for the towns welfare. In no wise
do we approve OF their methods. but
as to their honesty we cannon ques-
tlon until that PROOF is forthcoming
and then it goes in cold tvpe and when
you see il, you may rest assured we are
prepared to stand back OF it, 1t is all
easy yet dangerous practice to say
around store caucus what you would
not dare to say 10 the mans lace, uu,
when we make an accusation in print,
we say it not only to the man. but to a
discerning public, and must be ready
to be held accountable. \ newspaper
is IN that respect good training
Say what you please, this fight has
not been al, in the open on either side.
The Council had a reason for holding
a snap meeting. Az the conference the
press was exc uded-and not from fear
of false report. With the knowledge
that plain statement would be made
to .he public, more cautious and con-
cliatory terms would have been given.
1t is reported that the Light and
Water Company rejected The first pro-
posa, of arbitration. a publication OF
this refusal with terms and reasons
would have decided the issue.
Ear.y this week Mr. Curley. alto,
ney for the company made propose 5
and asked for conference This has
been kept so close from the public that
il has been impossible to get any in
formation as 10 the terms offered A
member of Council on being question
ed, expressed surprise at our knowl-
edge OF this and said he was bound to
secrecy
There may be good reasons ior az
these moves but il is not yet apparent
The principe OF this difference of
opinion is al. right, but the methods
of both sides have no. the tinge OF
health that a good live citizenship
needs.
The sentiment against the lease y IS
clearly shown in the recent election.
Vet there were those who demanded
that they be heard in the organization
Of the new council, which was an insult
to the men in whom they had placed
confidence That they felt duty bound
to listen did no. lessen the insult, as
was proven Monday evenir~ when a
recently elected member told an excit-
ed citizen that he did not expecr to
settle any personal preiudices or pri-