Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 December 1899 — “Looking Backward.” [ARTICLE]

“Looking Backward.”

It is annoying to any reputable newspaper man to be compelled occasionally to stop long enough to give some cowardly cur who has broken into the newspaper business through the grace of other people’s money, a kick in the short ribs that will send him yelping to the rear. Such things, however, seem to be a part of the unpleasant duties of the newspaper man’s life, as an occasional libel* on humanity, possessed of neither money nor brains, who imagines he has been called upon to fill a “long felt want,” sometimes finds dupes who will furnish him the wherewith to purchase a newspaper plant. Then the “gentleman” proceeds to show his ignorance and general adaptability (?) fcjr the profession by penning wishy-washy “editorials” intended to be both cute and sarcastic, for the edification of an indulgent public. With a standing notice of “opinions for sale” pinned on his posterior region he goes about seeking whom he may devour. The “for sale” part of the advertisement generally signifies, small favors gratefully received, and the promise of a 10-line legal from the powers that he will seal the lips of such" degenerates for all time to come. Often these “gentlemen” who imagine they are filling an aching void have a political bee buzzing in their bonnet, and the promise of being made aid-de-camp to the public buildings’ scavenger and thus draw a little of the “pap” that tastes so sweet even to some people of more general intelligence and uprightness, has the same desired effect, and they are ever willing to do the dirty work of their superiors in nastiness upon any and all occasions.

The very honorable “editor” of the Remington Press —a relative by marriage to the editor of the official Apologist organ of this city—who took a very active part in the matter of the placing the additional assessment against The Democrat editor on the tax duplicate and in publishing falsehood after falsehood, about the matter, again yelps forth in savage exultation at the verdict of the republican jury in this tax crse. The fact that the tax was unjust, which no one knew better than himself, or that the verdict of the jury was set aside by Judge Thompson who, although a radical republican, recognized that the whole matter was spite work and the verdict of the jury not in accordance with the law and the evidence, cuts no figure with this assinine individual. For personal reasons he • would have us pay the tax whether we owed it or not. And if we didn’t owe it, it is all the more reason to his warped intellect why we should be compelled to pay it, as in the event of The Democrat’s life and prosperity his own chances of becoming a court house chamber maid would be very remote indeed. Griffin says “we (the Griffins) bobght the Remington. Press March 24, paying S2OO down to bind the bargain. April Bth, we paid SOOO more and gave notes for $1,200.” Mr. Robert Parker swore that he furnished the S6OO paid on April 8. Did Parker not give it in for taxation? He is supposed to have had it on April 1. Parker swore that Babcock paid him (Parker) a chattel mortgage on April 8, out of this S6OO, of about S2OO. Did not Parker give in this chattel mortgage for taxation? He held it on April 1. Parker also swore that several hundred dollars of the notes were turned over to another party who held a claim on the office for nearly that amount and that Babcock paid other outstanding debts out of the proceed! of this sale. Why, then, would any fair minded man have us pay taxes on this amount when the law aays we are not liable for

Griffin made the same identical statement to the Auditor last fall —which was true—and said that the “statement was voluntary on his part,” as he understood the proceeds of this sale was to be put on the tax duplicate against Babcock and he “wanted the facts to appear exactly as they occurred;” that he “personally knew” the above to be the facts. Still, if our memory serves us correctly, when on the witness stand with his right hand raised to God, he stated that he knew nothing of what was done with the proceeds from the sale of the Remington Press except what Babcock had told him! As a matter of fact, the writer had an offset on April Ist, of debts owed for every dollar received from the sale of the above plant on April 8. Every outstanding bill was paid against the office and the receipts for same turned over to the Griffins that they might know that every claim against said office of whatever nature was paid in full. Fred L. Griffin knew that this chattel mortgage was paid to Mr. Parker on April 8. He knew that the notes were turned over to another party who had a claim against the office. He saw the contract with said party—in fact the contract is now in his possession or the possession of the real owner of the Press, Mr. Robert Parker. And yet, apparently to satisfy a little low, mean personal malice, he would not so state before the public and thus do a man justice who had never placed a straw in his path. Thank God, there are few such dispicable types of humanity in existence as the “honest editor” of the Press.

In conclusion, we wish to call the reader’s attention to a few facts: An investigation of the assessment sheets of the town of Remington for 1895-6-7—on file in the auditor’s office—will show that the writer listed the Remington Press each year for taxation at S4OO, we having purchased it in 1895 for SI,OOO. In 1898 we sold it for $2,000 to Fred L. and Stella Griffin r The same authority will show that Fred L, Griffin listed the same identical property at qply $250! The change in ownership at once depreciated the property on the assessor’s books $l5O. This is the same Fred L. Griffin, gentle reader, who of late has been seeking to make out that The Democrat editor was such a rogue. He is also the same Fred L. Griffin who has frequently boasted to the writer —and we presume to many others— that in all the time he resided in the city of Chicago he had never paid a dollar’s taxes. Evidently his Chicago training is serving him in good stead in Jasper county.

As a cure for rheumatism Chamberlain’s Pain Balm is gaining a wide reputation. D. B. Johnston of Richmond, Ind., has been troubled with that ailment since 1862. Iu speaking of it he says: “1 never found anything that would relieve me until I used Chamberlain’s Pain Balm. It acts like magic with me. My foot was swollen and painting me very much, but one good application of Pain Balm relieved me. For sale by Hunt Bros., druggists.

I have a special fund to loan on farm land at 5 per cent, interest; commission low. Loans made on city property, personal or chattel security for long or short time. Office removed to rooms 2d floor Makeever’s bank bnilding. - James H. Chapman.

For Sale Or Trade.— One lot 75x187, well improved with a new cottage, 14x28, of two rooms; a good, large summer kitchen, good well of rook water, a nice level yard, well aet in fruit trees, a good small barn. James H. Myers. For reference call on H. Fisher, near depot.