Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1929-11-14

lector we might state also that Harry
Gebhardt, whose name is below the
| first article in the editorial column
human nature. He is not subscriber
of the American and the editor has
met him only briefly three or four
times the past year.
Evidently Mr.. Gebhardt deems the
letter of editorial value and in order
placed it there. AS long as letters
| like that come to break the mOnOtOn-
Gus existence of the poor editor we
cannot complain. Humor continues to
| live and as long as humOr is with us
| life is interesting. The letter-and
we go the sender thereof one better
is interesting because it is amusing.
We must inform Mr.. Gebhardt, and
| in spite of his cocksureness he has
need of further information on var
ious things, that I'VE used in an edi-
| tOrial does not refer to any other COM
bination than the writer and the news
paper. 1t is the editorial 1--WE" and
| the editor stands back of it. Surpris
| ing indeed is it that the collaborators
did not know that
Well well, it seems that Mr.. Geb-
hardt must indulge i'm the childhood
pastime of mudslinging. Peculiar
that such habit should be carried into
maturity A grown-up should know
| that such practice merely muses. up
the one who throws it.
The editor is grateful indeed that
he has been informed in such very
gentlemanly manner the reason for
his dismal political failure. His cal
iber has been exposed to public view.
No longer can the skeleton rattle in
the closet-it is now hanging in the
the poor fellow crouches and covers
in the corner ashamed to live. The
pity of it.
1t seems that we have more than
covered all that which Mr. Gebhardt
insists on rehashing. If he will truth
fully read the past files of the Amer
lean with an unbiased and understand
ing mind, he will realize that. There
is the statement that we have belittled
and dashed cold water at the public
meeting in Wilma. Much as one loves
to flatter the offspring of fond par
ents, it can not always be done. Harm
sometimes comes from it, If it were
entirely matter concerning only the
proud parents, it5would have been
safer to flatter. But the affair per-
tanned to the whole county and the
rest of us would have to pay for any
folly created by the incompetent
Drained child of over Jealous parents.
The idea of collecting delinquent taxes
may, look fine on paper.
A bet of $3.50 to S75O,OOO! If one
follows the gamblers terms-'that's
a good bet even if you lose"-he would
hasten to take up the wager. Yet,
wait a minute. You are betting with
public money and public business can
not be carried on on any lottery basis.
| Some people may subscribe to that
policy but the American can not.
A three months trial is all that is
asked now by the seeker of the posi-
| ton as delinquent tax collector, hence
| only about $3.50. Is anyone foolish
enough to think that he will stop
there? No. after the three months the
argument would be. that the work has
just commenced and we must go on
if we are to reap any benefit.
There seems to be considerable
worry among the friends of Mr.. En-
pey that the editor is actuated by per-
sonal antagOnism. Far from it. He
has our sympathy, but even if he
needs the job is no reason why we
should support him. Others may need
job, but where will it end if we
permit too much sentiment to enter
into public business? The editor has
known Mr.. Empey for many years and
has ever found him to be a genial,
courteous man to visit; he is a man
of intellect, and pleasant to meet.
Yet, opinions differ on public matters
and, as a public servant, the editor
cannot support him. Opposing a man
for public office because of a differ
ence of ideas and ideals does not mean
that there is a violent and vile pre-
judice and hatred against the man one
opposes. Any man of intelligence will
sanction that statement
Yet having this appreciation of Mr..
Empey-his intellect and courtesy
we cannot agree with Mr.. Gebhardt's
implication that Mr.. Empey knows
more about taxes than any other man
in Pine county" We wonder if Mr..
Gebhardt has reference to the delin-
quent tax proposition only-that little
game which Mr.. Empey has played
with his own residence property?
In making such implication Mr..
Gebhardt evidently can not know of
our county auditor. 1t is quite un-
necessary to speak of that mans
knowledge or qualifications. He would
have to deal with the proposition to-
gether with the commissioners in the
last resort anyway. Why not let him
handle the affair?