Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 96, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 August 1899 — Were Cheeky. [ARTICLE]

Were Cheeky.

The Efforts of the Reformer to Bluff Trustees. Finding his flimsy cajolery unavailing, hiß tirade of abuse and misrepresentation without effect, and having exhausted his limited vooabulary of billingsgate, the fellow that runs the Democrat has given his attention to the composition of letters which are excellent examples of this reformer’s methods. Evidently at some period in his existence he has heard that old saying, “get money, honestly if you can; but get money, and has decided to apply a portion of it to the ggesent case. Appended is a copy of a letter which, as it states, has been mailed to every trustee vin the county, which has the appearance of an endeavor to hold them up, make them stand and deliver that which has a monetary value. A sort of a strong arm game which is verging on blackmail. Rensselaer, Ind. Aug. 1, ’99. Dear Sir: You are hereby notified that at a meeting, regularly called, of the Democratic County Central Committee, held in Feb. 1899, The Jasper County Democrat was adopted as the .only recognized Democratic paper published in Jasper County: that a statement to this effect, signed by the Dem. County Chairman and every Democratic member of the county council has since been filed with the County Auditor. You are therefore notified that action will be brought in the court against allowing pay for or recognizing the legality of any publication required to be made by any township or county official in a Democratic paper, if made in any other paper in the county. Copies of this letter have been mailed today to every Tp. Trustee in the county, after a conference of Democrats in regard to this matter. Very Truly, F. E. Babcock, Publisher. It states that the Democrat is the only regonized democratic paper in Jasper County. Let us analyze this thing a little. The case this is meant to cover, first, is the publication of the Trustees estimates of expenditures for the year 1899. The says they shall be published in two leading papers of opposite politifaith. What constitutes the leading paper? Shall we say it is the paper longest established, or the paper having the largest circulation, or the paper whioh is best edited, or the paper which adheres most closely to the doctrines of party which it purports to represent? The word leading is indefinite. Under it one paper is as muoh to be recognized as another. \ Then who has legal authority to recognize a paper other than to hold a favorable private opinion? And people do not look at these things in the same light. This brings the case down to the fact, that at present under the law, the man who has advertising to place is the sole judge of which paper shall be recognized. All bluster and threats to the contrary notwithstanding. Further argument is useless. We have given considerable spaoe to this matter, that might well have been employed in discussing something much more worthy of notice than an individual who, failing to secure business in a legimate manner, stoops to coersion and threats to accomplish his purpose. When a man goes around with a “more holier than thou” expression and makes a big noise keep your hand on your pock-et-book. That letter is an insult to the intelligence and manhood of every trustee or individual it is intended to include. to the advice which has appeared

in his paper for several weeks past to this effect “Remember and see that the paper of your choice gets the advertising.” Under the new employed you don’t have any choice. He would do the choosing and bluff you into acquiescing.