The Semi Weekly News

OUR POSITION
It is an unpleasant duty to feel compelled to explain ourselves. For more than two years The News has maintained an independent position on all questions of whatever nature, and no matter to what side it has swerved when it was deemed to the best interests of the people, it has been unjustly accused of having been in league with its champions. This time it has no champion, but in our last issue we took upon ourselves the unpleasant duty of informing the people of Burlington County of the unfitness of GEORGE P. CONOVER for the office of Surrogate. Personally, MR. Conover has been to us a friend in the general sense of the term, but from personal observation, and from hearsay of the very best authority, we became convinced that in his management of the office of Sheriff he has done many things to criminate himself and place himself in an unpleasant position before the people. These facts we stated as plainly as possible. Now what is the matter with The News. It has spoken its convictions, and proposes to carry it out on that line cost what it may. If we are not to give publicity to what we think the people ought to know, if we are not to be allowed the liberty of free speech, and to do what we deem it is our duty to do, then THE News is for sale cheap. Some people claim that our paper is neutral, and that it should not take any part in public matters of this nature. "Neutrality" is defined as indifference. "Independence" is exemption from control--freedom, and The News claims to be independent and proposes to be so. Some say we have made a mistake. We have had no evidence of it. An adverse opinion may be expressed by many to our views but that does not prove our statements to be untrue or qualify a mistake on our part. We do not think we are on the brink of ruin nor does business disaster stare us in the face. We were not goaded into our present course, but for policy's sake were importuned to keep out of it. To say that we have given offence does not meet the issue. We did not appeal to passion, but to sound reason and careful observation, in order that an important county office should not be put into the hands of one whom we deem incapable of its proper management. We do not know that our warning will be heeded, we cannot say that our influence will be felt, but we do know and feel we are doing our duty in the premises. Whether we are upheld as to the truth in the matter time alone can make clear, and whether we will suffer by our course, is a matter that we have not considered. We are of the people and for the people in common. We endeavor to be practical. We furnish our patrons with all the local news occurring in the county and also our opinions regarding public matters and public men, and if they are not accepted we cannot complain. The editor of the Herald does not think the Democratic candidate for Surrogate worthy of his support and of his paper and he has many of the best men in the party with him. Against all importunities he manfully stands out and lets him fight his own battle. This is courage, and courage that costs, in the same respect that it acts against our interest.
"Neutrality" is a disgusting word to be used in connection with a newspaper. It means nothing. O to be nothing.