Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1915-04-02
WAS 1T ALL RIGHT?


bit of evidence, to make serious
charges against N. p. Agent Trough
of Orofno, and Section Foreman Mat
lock. Fitzgerald boosted that he was
the author of the charges. When
pinned down at the investigation he
said Jim and Pat Blake were backing
him, and interested, because the
charges related to acts which hit their
business. In other words the infer
ence is that Agent Trough was
divulging the contents of kilograms
coming to the Blakes and Fitzgerald,
and opening express packages con-
signed to these same parties, conniv-
ing with the sheriff in an effort to
catch contraband liquor that these
gentlemen might be sneaking in.
But there was no evidence, not one
little bit, not even we'll founded
rumor, that Agent Trough was guilty
Of any wrong or improper conduct.
The trial failed to bring out any
thing. Mr.. Fitzgerald was forced to
admit he had no ground for his dirty
charges, and withdrew every one of
them. He backed up and out to the
disgust of the railroad officials. 1t
was the most fragrant example of
malicious persecution one could
imagine; dastardly thing, conceived
in desire to wrong one of the most
exemplary employees in the service
Of the Northern Pacific company.
And the Orofino Tribune says it is al
right; that the Blakes, one post
master, the other president of an
Oronfio bank, and the third an at
torney, are not to be criticised or
condemned for being parties, directly
or indirectly, to most henious con-
spiracy based on nothing whatsoever.
1t is not only not alright, but is it
as wrong, as full of mischievious de-
sign, and as dangerous to COM
munity as any conspiracy an unprin-
cipled set of rogues could we'll con-
ceive, and deserves the condemnation
it received at the hands of practically
all the people of Orofino.
Such conduct should not only not be
condoned, but it should be condemned
so vigorouly, as it was, that those
responsible for the outrage will
understand just how low they fall in
the esteem and opinion of the citi-
zens of community, and news
paper that will condone and excuse,
and whitewash such dastardly piece
of malicious business is deserving of
public scorn and contempt.
Here in Orofino, where the people
know the facts, no amount of news
paper deception and publicity white
wash will satisfy the citizens, who
are aroused over the affair, and the
evident purpose of the Orofino Trib-
une was not so much to allay or sooth
local sentiment as to deceive people
living outside of Orofino, where these
men have influence and standing.
Let an example illustrate.
Ii. l.. White is local manager of
the Grangeville Light & Power Co.,
and. like Agent Trough, Manager
Harry White is one of the most eff
cient, most accommodating and honor
able men it as been our privilege to
deal with. This is the sentiment of
the citizens generally of Orofino. We
are sure Mr.. White has, by his uni
form courtesy and anxiety to give
satisfactory service, to have the
people satisfied with his company,
won the esteem of a very large pro-
portion of the patrons of the company
he represents, and yet P. H. Blake
has been sending in complaints to the
Spokane office, with the evident pur-
pose CT getting Mr.. White fired. "
II reports are of any value the con-
spiracy against Agent Trough is but
another link in the long chain of
dirty deals the gang has perpetrated,
or attempted to perpetrate, on citi-
Gems OF Orofino, and any newspaper
that eondones such conduct is helping
to prolong the agony and strain under
which long-suffering public has
groaned.
Nor is this written with any feel
ing of malice. The Clearwater Re-
publican would recall the distressing
events connected with the malicious
persecution of Agent Trough that
those guilty of such work may be
forced into the open, ard that corpor-
ations employing men in Orofno
might not be imposed on, and worthy
laboring men not forced to live in
daily dread of impending evil because
designing men, prompted by malicious
motives, are seeking some pretext to
wrong them, and GUST them from their
positions. The public should be
warned, the Krough incident should
be published broadcast, thereby un-
masking those who are abusing public