Democratic Sentinel, Volume 11, Number 18, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 June 1887 — COMMUNICATED. [ARTICLE]

COMMUNICATED.

Editor Sentinel: The object*'’nd alm of a newspaper should be to givejto its readers a true narrative of events of the day and to educite >he people, the source of political power. In the duties of citizenship. All false, malicious, or

scandal us reports, whether they relate to individuals, corporations, or political parties, saould be rieidly excluded from its columns. Ev*-ry fair minded reader wants a plain, impartial statement of the in either editorially or as an advertise* ment, which ascribes dishonest motives to respected citizens, should subject the editor to the contemp* of every lover of truth and fair dealing. A?e all newspapers conducted upon the rigid principle of truth? Are truth and plain facts even an tiul element in all editorials? As a specimen of fairness(?) we will quote, auab ze, and give the facts concerning a few of the editorials contained in last week’s Republican. It says:— “Auditor Robinson has received offleial notice from the Auditor of State rhat through the failure of the Green Smith legislature to make provisions for continuing a tax levy for the new State House, the tax levy of two cents on each one hundred dollars vilue of of taxable property, forthat purpose, is discontinuvd. The money is need cd badly to complete the building and the failure to provide for the tax is a misfortune to the State.” Wny did tha Republican not publish the facts as he T- are? Had the above article been literally true it would have stated that the Republican House of Representatives was entirely responsible for the failure by it refusal to act on measures passed bv ihe Senate, or to trnsmit for the action of the Senate measures it had acted upon. The people know that the Republican House refused to act in concert with the Democratic Senate in the enactment of laws demand ed bv the interests of the State, and ia therefore solely and alone chargable with any “misfortune to the State” that may result therefrom. The House, which was Republican, after its plans for stealing the United States Svnatorship were thwarted by the vigilance of a Democratic Senate, refused to recognize or consider any act of that lody, except such as were uer essary to procure their per diem, thereby causing the “misfortune” so deplored by the Repuolican Appropriations and other much needed legislation were obstructed and defeated by the refusal of the House to act. The blame must attach to the leaders of the Republican party, where it rightfully belong, and upon whom it will recoil with a vangeanse in 1888. The people are investigating the matter and the oily lies of the average Republican editor can not prevent them from acquainting themselves with the facts and passing judgment upon the gui’ty parties. The following is another specimen, and false throughout: “The good effects of the defeat of the [ ernicious Carter Harrison rule in Chicago are already becoming apparent and the city it fast being res deemed from the power of the cri uinal classes that have so long held sway,” etc. The Carter Harrison rule in Chicago has not been defeated Carter Harrison has never been a defeated candidate for mayor of Chicogo. hut declined the nomination at the hands of his party for that position to which he had been thrice nominated and eacn time triumphantly elected, and together with thousands of other Democrats sup; orted John Roach on a citizens’ ticket. The Democratic party of that city preferred a citizens’ candidate,and ihe continuance of law and order, even though he was also the Republican nominee, to Nelson, <* representative of socialism and anarchy.

In referring to the indictmeits drawn by the Federal gran I jury, at Indianapolis, the Republican says: “It is with a great deal of satisfaction that we announee that the federal grand jury at Irdianapolis has brouj ht iu indictments against the scoundrels who altered the tally sheets and forged the returns. Twelve men have been indicted, one or two of whom are charged with nothing more than a tee ni«al and unintentional violation of the election laws * Then follows ths names of the indiaUd together with a fruitless attempt to underrate the offense,of Gen. Carnahan, one of the Indicted, who is Chairman of the Republican Cea?, tral Committee of Marion county'. Tho Republican malms no comment on t e case of W. T, Burrows, a Republican, who is charged with voting twice. Would silence have been ob* served if W. T. Burrows was a DemO3rat? No The Republican editor would have held up nis hands i.i holv horror and denounced the entire Democratic party of Indiana because one Democrat bad been indicted for vio lating the law. The Democrats indictel are charge ed—nut with altering the tally sheets or forging the returns with conspiracy (t k « offense, we believe, charged against Carnahan). According to the Republican the Democrats are infamous scoundrels, and Carnahan well his crime, if crime it is, “technical and unintentional!” Oh, bah! The indictments were found at the instance of Judge Woods who, judging from his instructions to the grand jury, was evidently desirious of getting the cases into his court in a sha e, if possible, to withstand the l»gal criticism or Judge Gresham, his superior on the beaoh* If the Republican will give facts in the future to its readers, it will great ly oblige GRAPE ISLAND. June 1 1887.