Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1916-06-22
To the People of Ashland.

appeal regarding the recall election
that will be held on next Monday in
our city.
First, what is all the fuss about
Just simply this and nothing more:
A few individuals that have some
sore places against Mr.. Greer have
, let their jealous, selfish spirit get the
better of them and have let it work
on them until their minds have be-
come diseased, not realizing that II
is a fundamental law that to see SO
much bad in the other fellow, one
must have the same qualities in him
self or he could not recognize it in
the other fellow.
There are people in our midst who
are making some very extrayagant
assertions against Mr.. Greer, calling
him a CRATER and dishonest and dis
reputable citizen. Now, good people
of Ashland. this is just what this re-
call means It will forever brand
/ Mr.. Greer as a CRATER, a dishonest
and disreputable citizen, and hope
that the voters of Ashland will stop
and think before they ever place such
a stain on the character of any man.
And | sincerely hope that you will
ponder well what the good name of
Ashland and its people means to the
public, especially just at this time:
We have heard this and that
charged, but that does not make it
so-not by any manner of means.
There have been mistakes made
which iMr. Greer and the springs COM
mission admit. And no doubt the
great Creator of all sees many mis-
takes that he has made and no doubt
that he would make many changes
were he to do things over again. But
| think they all did their best, with
out any plans or specifications; any
way. | shall call it well done, and If
any of our people don't agree with
me it would be we'll for them to go
up into the park and look carefully
into things. The answer is there.
1t is preposterous to suppose that
proposition of this size and magni-
tude could be carried to completion
without some mistakes. ''It is by
our mistakes that we learn" l ask
you, each and every one, to lay aside
your prejudice and think for few
moments what Mr.. Greer has done
for us. Just go up in the park and
see what has been accomplished and
bring yourself to realize what it
means, and then can you, alone with
your conscience, go to the ballot box
and brand Mr.. Greer forever a graft
er. a dishonest and disreputable citi-
zen, without more proof than is ap-
parent? If anyone has proof Of these
charges he has a remedy in the
courts. We have penal laws for such
offences.
The recall law is a very good law,
but never was intended to be used
for personal spite. 1t should never
be abused, and | hope the people will
be careful of its use.
Now few words in conclusion.
The writer has known Mr. Greer
personally since he came to Ashland,
as an upright, progressive citizen,
full of individuality, and / don't be-
lieve that he has taken a dollar that
did not rightfully belong to him; and
If anyone knows of his doing so, let
him come forward with his complaint
in court, where Mr.. Greer will have
to prove his innocence or, in other
words, they can prove their COM
plant. AS to his incompetency, go
up in the park and look around. The
answer is there.
| will say this: Simply an asser-
ton as to some misdeed doesn't spell
anything. People are not generally
careful enough with their criticism
of public officials. A few words more
and you will know what | have to
say. 1t seems to me that the bring
ing of this recall election just at this
time is very inopportune when we
have invited the world to come and
help us dedicate to the use of the
public the fruits of Mr. Greer's
dreams, plans and labors, and then
to have him branded with such
stain. / can't believe the intelligent
peopel of Ashland will stand for any
such thing. Of course, Mr. Greer
has known from the start that he
would be held responsible 10 the peo-
pie for the accomplishment of his
dreams, and as he was the main fac
tor of the springs commission he
could not be guided by you or me on
what this one thought or that one
thought. He had to rely on his best
judgment, and | believe he has ac-
complished what he undertook to the
best of his ability. While might
have had some things different, and
no doubt each of us could have>done