September 12, 1902

A newspaper is supposed .to be an educator of the people; and newspaper correspondents are supposed to be the rocks on which the newspaper is based. Given these facts what is the presumption? The newspaper must educate the people for good or for evil, in a moral tone or otherwise. There are a certain class of people who never smell anything but carrion, and who are never so happy as when reading, or listening to some deed of scandal done in the community. They will rush to a newspaper, or its correspondent, and with “are you going to publish an account of that?” await your answer. If told a recital of such an occurrence is not fit to besmear the columns of a decent paper, they will very soon tell you “Mr. So-or-So will publish it.” To all such we invariably answer: “If Mr. So-or-So wants to publish such trash, he is welcome to do so, as he or they have nothing to lose by the operation; but the paper we represent does not want such stuff.” While these gossip-mongers are delighted with any rehearsal of a thing in print, we cannot see that the morals or reputation of a town is enhanced by the publication of such news. True, there are many things of a criminal character that should be published in the papers, but the mental acumen of the correspondent supervised by that of the editor, should be such as to enable him, or them, to discriminate between what is lit for publication and what is not. It should be remembered that the newspaper lies loose around the house, and on the tables, and the children if they have any intellectual turn, are after them with avidity; therefore, we consider the local news of a paper should be made tip as far as possible to suit the minds of the young, as well as of those of larger growth.

Rev. Frank Cain and his estimable wile, after spending several weeks with Mr. Purnell Bennett and wife, Mrs. Cain’s parents, and visiting their many friends in contiguous localities, returned to their home near Princess Anne last week. Mr. Cain is another one or the many men who appreciate the Milford Chronicle. If there is anyone who does not believe this, let him say so to Mr. Cain. This allusion of personality is published by permission.

We are surprised at the quantity of turkeys, guineas and chickens that are daily seen on the streets. Can there be no way by ink or pen to mitigate this nuisance? There is a law against the indiscriminate turning of poultry at large upon our streets. Presumably, like all other laws enacted by our little town, the glamour having worn off, it has become obsolete. Witness the number of dogs now running the streets without muzzles. Only a few weeks ago there was a law passed by Town Council that all dogs, after a certain date, should be muzzled ; in default of which they, the said dogs found without muzzles, should be impounded, and if not redeemed within a certain period of time, should be shot. Under this Star Chamber enactment, several poor pups without owners, or whose owners did not appreciate the services of said dog enough to redeem him or she, were shot. Now, doubtless, these dogs were worthless—the prima facie evidence proves this. But this is not the question, as we look at it. Town Councii had no right to pass the law, then the dogs, who or which, were captured and executed under said law have a redress through their owners; and why not owners make a demand through a legally appointed committee? It will be remembered that a few weeks ago, we noticed six dogs on Lavinia‘s camp ground, and so published the same. It is now thought these dogs were in solemn council, or had been, and had discussed their grievance toward their brethren of the two-legged persuasion.

Miss Agony Conwell, after several weeks’ happiness around the haunts of her girlhood’s happiness, has returned to her city residence.

A batteau[1] laden with oysters—nine bushels—the firs of the season, arrived at the headwaters of the Broadkiln on Thursday. They were soon sold.

Dr. B. F. Wilson and J. B. Welch went squirreling on Monday. They were successful in shooting nine. It is said Dr. Wilson killed the whole number, but to keep from any hard feelings agreed to say, “We killed nine.” After the writer heard the gunners had returned, he went around to interview Mr. Welch. We found the horologist lying on a lounge in his studio, completely fagged out.

“What luck, John?” “We killed nine.”

Betts & Jefferson have been enlarging their store in the Ponder Block. They have torn out a portion and given much needed room to their growing business.

Edgar Lank, Esq., attorney-at-law of Philadelphia, after spending some ten days with his mother, grandmother, brother, and other numerous friends, returned to his business on Monday. It really does one good to meet such boys as these.

Joseph Fields is one butcher who is not in the beef trust. Mr. Fields butchers twice a week cattle of the best variety. . His patrons prove this. We called this afternoon for a roast. “Just gone to butchers splendid steer; will send it to you to-morrow in time.” And we knew it would come.

Prof. W. G. Fearing has contracted to paint the new dwelling of Dr. J. A. Hopkins on Chestnut Street.

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[1] From the French bateau, a small, shallow-draft flat-bottom boat, pointed at both ends, used on rivers, lakes, and estuaries across North America in colonial times, and still in use in some areas today.