Jasper County Democrat, Volume 15, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 July 1912 — A RAW DEAL, OF COURSE, [ARTICLE]

A RAW DEAL, OF COURSE,

But as Usual the Republican Rushes to the Defense—Nothing Too Rank for the Graft-De-fender. In so far as the controversy over the decision of the “judges” of the automobile parade here July 4 is concerned, The Democrat has no personal interest in the matter whatever. and the statements made regarding same in our write-up of the celebration were based on the writer’s personal opinion and that of scores of bystanders who were near us when the parade passed. The publjcly voiced opinion of these impartial judges—the crowd on the streets—was unanimous that Dr. Hansson “had ’em beat again.” Dr. Hansson took first prize in the last previous auto parade, “hence the phrase ’ had ’em beat again.”. Of course the opinion of the public doesn’t count at all with the editors of the Republican or the bunch it caters to. and calls to mind a decision made here several years ago in a little contest where a, committee was appointed to award the prize- and. having reached a decision so informed the person having the affair in charge, who went up in the air and said, “That won’t do at all; it has all been arranged to award the prize to So and So,” and: the committee said, under its breach. “H—. if it was all arranged in advance why have any judges a: all.” and So and So got the prizes- ; /,

; The Democrat doesn't care a rap I about the matter of where the $lO I prize money went, not even if the i " judges” themselves got it. It was ■ surprised.to learn that it was awarded to the second or third best decorated car"of only five in the parade, ■ and its write-up was made before the writer passed a word with Dr. Hansson about the matter. Neither ■ did we know at the time of the parade whose auto was covered 'with the tissue paper decorations. I The public almost unanimously will agree with us that Dr. Hansson’s car was by far the handsomest and best decorated car in the parade, regardless of what the graft-defend-ing editors of the Republican say about it. The Democrat’s opinions are not controlled my any little coterie of sports or gamblers nor by any one else, and it prefers to be in the right and have the public in general on its side rather than the few who compose the bunch that takes the other position. While a very small matter, the decision was rank, very rank indeed, and the two show girls appointed “judges” went in person to Dr. | Hansson. so he says, after the “award” had been made, and told him that they did not see the parade at all, and that after it was over the “winner” of first prize came in the parlor where they were and told them he “had won first,” and this was the only intimation they had that the “decision” had been made. They had nothing whatever to say about the award, they said, and did not want Mr. Hansson to think they bad.

Scores of /people went to Dr. Hansson and to B. D. Comer, whose machine was used, and congratulated them on having so far out-distanced the few other decorated machines. Dr. Hansson says he cares nothing about the little old ten dollar prize, but he thinks, as does everyone else, that it was a dirty trick that was played on him to deprive him of the Well-earned glory of having the best decorated car. Had there been any semblance of fairness in the matter the "judges”—who really seem to have had no voice at all in the matter —would have been selected outside of the circle of guests of the contestant who “won” first first place.