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THE KINSTON FREE PRESS
THE 1SWI FREE PRESS
A ,,' ' (UnlUd' Pros Tele graphic Reports)
' H. GALT BRAXTON, Editor and Manafer
iHiblishad Ever Wednesday and Saturday by the Kinston
" ' , Fret Press Co., Inc., Kinsfon. N. C.
WEDNESDAY "DECEMBER 20,1916
Subacriatien Rates Payable In Advance:
i.On Men .15 Three Months
Six Months
One Year $1.00
TTw Months 26
.35
.CO
& Craununicatians received and net published will net be
returned unless stamps te cover oeaiaj-e aceompaay same.
:.r. NSW YORK OFFICE 31 Park Raw, Mr. Ralph R
Mulligan, in sole charge f Eastern Department. Filet
WBST1RN OFFICE In charge of Mr. C. J. Anderson
AManittette Building, Chicago, where files of The Fret
""Praia cu be seen.
Entered at the postofficf at Kinston, North Carolina, a.-,sccn4-class
Matter under act of Congress, March 3, 1870
Sobseribers are requested to report promptly any ir
lrifuUrity in receipt ef paper.
j
i WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER 20. 1916
The Free Press joins with the other papers in th
abate in expressing sympathy for its esteemed cctntempo
rary, the Charlotte Observer, whkli suffered damage 1
flr Saturday morning. The fact that the plant was no,
entirely destroyed and because plans, which had already
been inaugurated for removal to another building, wert
-well under way, the di.tcomfort of our contemporary i:
..not so serious as it might have been, and The Free Pres
is glad tfiat the accounts indicate that the rehabilitate
will be quickly consummated. In the meantime the Oil
server is printing from its afternoon contemporary'
i plant, and with the usual spirit of courage manifested b;
papers, which suffer fire loss, did not miss an issue.
5 Editor Johnson of Charity and Children, who by th
way, missed the profitable meetings of the State Pre?
Association at Chapel Hill a week or two ago, has beet
ironically celling attention to the fact that the Newspa
per Institute failed to settle the high cost of print pape'
In this connection his attention is directed to the sti
v that Brother Varner has made in Washington as re pre
'.sentatlva of tha North Carolina press. He has carriec
: the fight directly to the Department of Justice and ha
been able to make such a showing as to command th
, ; attention of the Attorney General and an Independent in
, j Vtstigation has been started. Brother Varner gatherer
much of his data end inspiration for the drive against th'
paper trust at the Chapel Hill meeting.
I '
A QUART A MINUTE.
Th Free Press is glad to learn that the Anti-Suloo
j League of North Carolina plans to present, for the con
t alteration of the General Assembly, laws which will b
((shore -of evasive possibilities and which, if enacted, wi'
' j in reality give to North Carolina the title of a dry statt
, The present situation is disgraceful. Gallon upon gal
Ion of the vile stuff is being poured into Kinston now ir
antfcfpation of a falsely conceived Chrixtmas celebration
J : About six hundred packages, The Free Presa leams, wtr
, distributed from the local express office Saturday. Om
-" a minute for the office hours maintained by the company
The city authorities would do well to station one of th.
, police officers at the express office thii week to gathe
t evidence and aee what portion of the shipment is goin,
; . Into the hands of the known blind tigers and people o.
bad character.
According to Superintendent Davis of the Anti-Saloo
League, the laws, which are contemplated for the forth
coming Legislature, will positively ' limit the amount o
liquor pemissible and the for-personal-use racket, whir'
has been so badly overworked under the quart law, wi'
ba blocked.
Unquestionably new laws a.ul more drastic one, fron
which the loophole have been taken, are needed, hi
there is in Kinston an opportunity for law enforcemer
under the present statutes. This, the week before Christ
mas, gives perhaps the best opportunity In nil the yes
for a demonstration of law enforcement. Let exery gon
citizen in Kinston co-operate to that end.
And It begins to look very much like we sre going t
have a dry Capital. Quite approp -i;ite, too, that the grc
of government of a nation, the majority of which hr
already outlawed "John Barleycorn," should exile hin
also.
THE LITTLE THINGS IN LIFE.
It is the little things in life that count most. It takes
the nickels to make the dollars and hecause the major
ity of mankind don't appreciate the necessity of con
serving the supply of nickels the quantity of dollars
available to the average man is limited. The man who
takes advantage of the opportunities for small service is
afte: all the one, who qualifies for (loins the larger
work, which is certain to present itself sooner or later.
Many a man has failed to make his life count for very
much because he has overlooked the opportunities at
hand in his vain effort to discover a task which he fee's
was large enough for hia abilities, which unfortunately
nay have been exaggerated in his own estimation. The
'ittle kindly deeds of life make living worth while, weld
.he ties of friendship more closely, and remove the ating
jf love's sacrifice. The little things in life count most
iccause it is with them that the large majority of man
kind deals. The opportunity to handle the large problems
ind participate in the large benefits is given to but very
few.
As the Christmas season approaches, the opportunity
'or utilizing the little things in carrying gladness to the
earts of friends, loved ones and those, who are without
"riends and without the where-with-al to provide for
hemselves, are manifold. In the words of the poet, it is
ot so much the gift as the giver and the spirit that
prompts.
o
)It. McNAIRY ENDORSED.
The endorsement of the capable administration of IV.
'. B. McNuiry, Superintendent of the Caswell Training
chool, by the board of directors as evidenced in thrir
ction at their nnnual meeting on Thursday in re-electing
im and approving with slight alterations his ream
lendations for the enlargement of the school, is very
ratifying to The Free Press. There is no question that
V. McNairy has made good. Not only is he a good
irmer, evidenced by the model farm which he is whip
ing into shape, but his direction of the training depart
lent of the school, the success of which is so manifest
y the exhibits of the class rooms and an inspection of
is charges has been most admirable.
The Free Press congratulates the Caswell School or
etaining the services of Dr. McNairy and his good ht !p
ieet, and congratulates him for the splendid wo.-k th;'
le institution is doing under his management.
o
ORK SENTENCES ESSENTIAL.
The magistrate, who places a man, caught with a large
uantity of liquor in his possession manifestly for lllic':'
ujrposes and carrying concealed weapons, under a $10P
ind, fails to have a proper conception of the offense and
he menace to s'-ciety. h i. such characters are. We
ir.'t believe the fixing of normal bonds and the impos
g of lines in lieu of work sentences, after conviction, b
niK:cive to upholding the laws. There are offenses
jainst the law, committed on the sour of the mome
ithout previous plan or plot, which we believe entitle
le offender to some consideration, but the "blind tiger.'
hat despicable, scheming, contriving, conniving law
reaker, should not, we believe, even on fiivt offense, be
ermitted to pay a fine which by the nntinxir.ce of hi
'egal business, he can recover in short order, but shoal '
e given a work sentence for each stid every offense o'
;hich he stands convicted.
As a matter of fact, The Free Press advocates the
hanging of the law now giving to the court the o,.'io
f a fine or work sentence with reference to the e if .
lent of tho anti-liquor laws, so that it will lie imndat r;
pon the tribunal to impose a work sentence. When th
ooze-peddlers, who move about in sheep's clothing, wher
l reality within they are ravening wolves, understand
tat upon detection and conviction they face a work son
nee with no alternative of a fine, some at least will have
care before embarking in the business. Let's have res
ect for the law created by its enfo-cement instead of
le buildirg up of a license system through tines.
THE NEWSPAPER'S OBLIGATION,
Tha newspaper is the mouthpiece of the community,
which it serves, and if it falls to represent the whole
poople the good people it falls short of its mission.
The newspaper, which opens its columns only to tnose
Kings which are in line with its own ideas is abusing
the great power that is vested in it.
One of uie most interesting discussions at the recent
newspaper institute was devoted to this subject. One of
the papers, read, suggested that this was the era of in
dependent journalism. Some took the position that a
newspaper could not be independent and unbiased arid be
true to itself. Some wer.t so far as to say that advertis
ing columns of the newspapers should be closed to those,
who were opposing the views and the policies of the paper.
For instance, it was suggested that a Democratic paper
should not accept any campaign advertising matter from
a Republican or vice versa. Others took the view, which
we believe to be the correct one that the newspaper had
no moral right to deny those, who were opposed to its
policies, space in its columns to present their arguments
o long as the copy, which they furnished conformed to
the requirement;; as prescribed by the policy of the paper
and was not libelous.
The newspaper has space for sale, besides being the
mouthpiece, the great moulder of public sentiment, and
the great agency for democracy in the dissemination of
knowledge, it is a business proposition. Its stock in trade
is space. The newspaper owes it to its clientilc, iU read-
! ers, who have confidence in it and who are guide I by what
r.ppears in its columns, to employ certain safeguards
;ind so far as is within its power to keep from its column?
objectionable matter of all kinds. Fraudulent advertis
ing, indecent suggestions and all that has a tendency tf
lower or impose upon the public should be barred. Bu'
the newspaper has no right to deny the use of its adver
tising columns to those, who oppose its views, simply
because they do oppo -e when their copy meets the speci
ficatlons. The Free Press would consider itself cowardly
if it feared to give its opponents such opportunity tr
present their arguments. There are, of course, instances
where copy is submitted for publication in which ther
are veiled threats, libelous and offensive suggestions
which in the judgment of the editor must be withheld.
The conduct of the newspaper calls for good judgment
The newspaper, to serve its community as it should, must
lie fearless and independent to the point of being honest
and fair with all of its reputable citizens whether or no
their political, religious or other views conform with the
individual or personal views of the editor or publisher
The Free Press believes that the dawn of indeper.den'
journalism is at hand.
NOT DEAD, BUT RESTING.
The question, "what has become of the wTioIe-thne
health officer, the anti-fly crusade, etc."? has been put
to The Free Press on several occasions recently. The an
swer has been that these righteous matters are not dead
but resting.
Paul's injunction to the Galatians:
"Let us not be weary in well doing, for
in due season we shall reap if we faint not,"
is a text that has given us a great deal of
comfort and consolation in the effort to arou-ie
the public conscience to the necessity of safe
guarding its health through the creation of ade
quate machinery for so doing . It is true that there
has been little evidence of interest or co-operation on the
part of those who should assist in a tight for the institu
tion of necessary health measures. This is due perhaps
largely to the fact that those, who have the intelligence
and the information to appreciate the matter, have failed
l to take into account that Kinston is no longer in tne vii-
ae stage and that precautionary measures, necessary
in city life, are requisite to Kini-ton's safety now. Kin
ston is growing. Her population has perhaps increased
upward of two thousand within the past twelve months,
but still Kinston has taken no steps whatsoever to throw
around its people those safeguards, which they are en
titled to. As a matter of fact, there are rural communi
ties in some sections of our fair country which have given
nnore attention to conservation of health than have we
in Kinston.
Kinston needs a meat and milk inspector. Some of the
barbecue stands and meat marl.c' vh'. h are t'catcf'
n Kinston and permitted to serve food for human con
sumption, are positively nauseous with their filth and
'.insanitary environment. Of course, this does rot apply
o all the markets in town. If such were the case we
vould eat no meat. And there are none, which will not
'ear inspection. Some of these days we will know bet
er, and ne wili have a health department with proper
irovision for food inspection and controlling infectious
nJ contagious diseases.
It seems that President Wilson has decided to for
ard the central power's peace proposals without com
lent. So, well and Rood, for we have confidence in hi
idgment to do what is right and best in the matter, but
e venture the h.pe that he has found it possible for
istituting a good follow-up system and that he will be
Ve to lond the influence of this country very forcefully
r peace through this apparent opportunity.
n
The Christmas season is at hand. Let us remember the
aching of the Master: "It is more blessed to give than
receive."
DAREDEVIL VILLA.
Bandit Villa is a man out of the ordinary. As a news
lo the unexpected. It is the daring and unlocked foi
producer he is great. Villa can always be counted on to
'.hat the outlaw chief perpetrates. No better evidence of
his daredeviltry has been given than bis latest reported
message to the United States Government in which hr
?eeks by compromise to gain recognition. He understands
that the entire regular army has been on tne border and
'hat this has been augmented by a hundred thousand or
more mil.tiamen, drafted into regular service, awaiting
ihe opportunity to seize hici and bring him to answer for
a lo;:g reign of terror, murder and pillage against not
only hi. fellow countrymen, but Americans, culminating.
,s it did, in the dastardly raid on Columbus last sprinj
Mr. Villa now proposes to be free again. He offers pro
tection to Americans and other foreigners in exchange
for amnesty and recognition, and a free rein, so far as
this country is concerned, to go after Carranza.
Uncle Sam will probably not signify this latest pro
posal with so much as passing notice but regardless of
that, it srrves to demonstrate that in Villa he is dealing
with a most unusual character.
The Free Press hopes that the full reports coming from
Fort Bliss in regard to the shooting of Lieutenant Bar
hour by Lieutenant Faulkner, of the Kinston company
will show beyond the question of a doubt that the shoot
ing was accidental. The information that The Free
Press' correspondent on the border has been able to get
pending the official investigation seems to bear out the
accidental theory; While other reports carried by other
papers have charged that the shooting was premeditated
The Free Press hopes that no Kinston soldier will be
known to have maliciously attempted the life of a fellow
guardsman.
WE STILL HOPE FOR A SQL A RE DEAL.
Not being learned in the law. we do not know what
ffect the decision of the Supreme Court will have on the
Britt-Weaver controversy. Of course, it is generally
'nown that the final decision regarding a scat in the
House of Representatives is for the House itself to ren
ler, but it is to be hoped that the State's Supreme Court
ran clarify and give to whoever goes to Washington as
'.he representative of the Tenth, credentials which will I
itand the test of the House.
The Free Press has already gone on record in this
natter as favoring a square deal. It favors such in all
ases and it believes that the honor of the State and the
I'enth district demands that the man, who actually re
ceived the highest number of votes on November 7th
ihould have tne honor of representing the Tenth district.
Very naturally we hope that when the mists have clear
3d away and the situation has been thoroughly clarifed
that Mr. Weaver can show clear title, because he repre
sents the principles of government, which we advocata.
We don't want Mr. Weaver to go to Congress by Jie jug
gling of technicalities route, and we believe we echo the
sentiment of the best people of the State in taking such
a position.
o
The second thought of the Allies, as is generally the
ase with mature deliberation, seems to be saner with
respect to the attitude to be assumed towards the peace
.ii'oposals of their enemies than were the foundations for
Lhe first expressions. The indication that the proposals
f Germany and her confederates will not be turned down
without examination and some consideration is indeed
-nore encouraging than was the report that a fiat refusal
would be civen.
Americans generally will take little pride in the fact
that their fellow-countrymen have been detected in vio
lating the neutrality laws by aiding and abetting Mexi
can revolutionists and the activity of the Department of
Justice in bringing such culprits to taw will unquestion
ably be approved by the lanre majority of the people of
this country. The fellow, who sells his honor and jeop
ardizes his nation's interests for paltry mercenary gain,
deserves no consideration but the limit of the law.
Sam Gompers et al are launching a movement to hav
the President's salary incre:. jd. Mr. Wilson will no
doubt appreciate the injunction, "casting bread upon the
waters."
Ml
ITHR
CAPITAL
OF
$100,000.00
and
SURPLUS OF $95,000.00
this bank is in position
to extend aid to dcp si
tors for any;le6itimate
purpose
New accounts, Urg
or small a e desired,
and a perfect seivke
s assured
HAVE YOU A BANKING
HOME?
Tka
National Bank of Kinstoa
Confederate
Pension
Warrants.
We are pleased to cash
free of charge pension
warrants for cxCon
ft derate soldiers and
their wiJows, when
properly endorsed.
FARMERS 5 MERCHANTS
BANK
KINSTON N. C.
.. V. MOSEUSY, M. D.
PHYSH A .id eJURGEOX
Hli of Lrir Omg fovtpaaj
phone Office 478; Residence 1U
OK. t. FiTTh,
OSTEOPATH
Upciairn, N?t Dow Old Pealo
EXAMINATION FREE
Plumes: OmV 80. .Re. ,!
UK. O. L. WILSON
DENTIST
Oflk Ore J. & flwrf
Drag Star
Dr. Albert D. Parrott
PHYS1CIAJW AND SURGEON,
Kinstom, N. C
Offcce Back of Bead's Drmf Str
Miss Sallie Foy Hazolton, I. N.
(Registered Nurse)
119 E. GORDON STREET
PHONE 21
I Ti Mafctm Fa
Situated in and Near
the Town of
LaGRANGE N. C.
Cut into small Farm tracts ranging from one to 10 acres each and will
be sold at Auction
. TOtUISPY PEC. 2tm. fl;3 Rfl,
TCnftflC 1-5 CASH BALANCE 1-2-3 4 AND 5 YEARS EASY ENOUGH FOR ANY ONE. $15.00 IN GOLD WILL BE GIVEN
f LUlYlO TO THE THREE PERSONS GUESSING NEAREST THE WEIGHT OF OUR AUCTIONEER SO BE AT THE SALE
y hQd By. V