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Clinton News-Record, 1973-01-25, Page 4"Stop griping—not only are we protesting the gasoline price increase but we're getting —cough—cough—healthy fresh air at the same time!" Our own haven A solution to the jail problem There is a controversy currently waging in Goderich about the old Huron County Jail and .whether to tear down one of the walls to make room for an already overcrowded regional assessment office. It would seem a pity to obliterate one of Huron County's landmarks just to ex- pand an office building of 20th Century LIah architecture. The arguments wage back and forth about both retaining a historical building or losing a valuable Huron County em- ployer to an already greedy Stratford. Well, there is a perfect solution to the problem that would appease both sides. • Locate the Huron-Perth Assessment office in Clinton. Crazy? Not so. Clarence Denomme, former head of Clinton's planning com- mittee suggested to this paper this week that the former communication school at Vanastra would make a perfect spot for not only an assessment office but for many other regional and provincial func- tions as well. The school is in excellent shape and has all the attributes of a fine office building at a minimum renovation cost. Not only would the former school be put to good use, but it would keep the jobs in Huron County, utilize a building and put the regional assessment office closer to the centre .of Huron and Perth Counties. It would save a precious heritage as well. How about it County Council? We are all immigrants Canada has accepted numerous im- migrants from the United States who left, because of current conditions there. These include draft dodgers and deser- ters from its armed services, They have aroused deep resentment in the U.S., to which some cannot return under present laws without risking arrest. A segment of public opinion in Canada likewise believes we erred in admitting them. some encounter prejudice and unfriendly attitudes. North American history however reveals that U.S. to Canada population movements for political reasons are nothing new. A very influential element among Canada's inhabitants, the United Empire Loyalists, came here in one • such. movement. Again, in the nineteenth century, ten- sions that culminated in the American Civil War caused many south to north border crossings. These included escaping Negro slaveS, also draft dodgers who "skedadled" to avoid ser- vice in the Northern Army. Even when free to do so, few of the recent crop of immigrants evidence much desire to recross the border. As did their predecessors of the past two centuries they seem more likely to become permanent Canadians. But no one knows what the future will bring. During Hitler's regime a young man fled to Scandinavia, taking an assumed name which he still bears, to evade the Gestapo. It is that of Willy Brandt, just re-elected Chancellor of the West Germany from which he fled for . nine years _ofvoluntary exile. Among those who fled from the,U.S,,A. to Canada in the last decade could possibly be a future President or Prime Minister. Too timid? perhaps we are 1...1••••••, THE CLINTON NEW ERA Amalgamated THE HURON NEWS•RECORD Established 1865 1324 Established 1881 Clinton News-Record A member of the Canadian Weekly Newspaper Association, Ontario- Weekly Newspaper Association And the Audit Bureau. of Circulation (ABC) second class mail registration number — 0817 'SUBSCRIPTION RATES: (in advance) tanaaa, $8.00 per year; U.S.A., 63.50 JAMES E. PITZGERALD—Editor J, HOWARD AITKEN — General Manager Published every Thursday at the heart of Huron County' Clinton, Ontario • Population 3,476 THE, HOME OF RADAR IN CANADA Is there anything new under the sun, despite the old adage? Not much. I've just been reading a 124- year old essay by Henry David Thoreau, and it could have been written last week by anybody who dislikes, nay, despises government and what it stands for. The author says that that government is best which governs least. Many Canadians, who are sick to death of government and its agents poking their inquisitive snouts into every aspect of the individual's life, would agree heartily. Most businessmen would not only concur, but would raise a cheer for the sentiments ex- pressed. Ask any man who runs a small business, if you want to get a blistered ear, what he thinks of government. Thoreau suggests that the first purpose of any government is not to seek out and abolish injustice, but to perpetuate it- self. Ask any realistic politician, and he'll agree. We should not necessarily cultivate a respect for the law, but for what is right, says :Thoreau. He uses the illustration of an undue respebt for the law of soldiers marching to war against their common sense and consciences, This has been happening for years in Viet Nam. There are three types of men, he says. First are those who unquestioningly serve the state with their bodies, such as soldiers. Next are those who serve the state with their minds politicians, lawyers, of- ficeholders — but not with their consciences, Finally there arc the very few — mar- tyrs, reformers, patriots in the real sense — who serve it with their consciences also, and are cornmonlYA treated as enemies by it. The trigger for Thoreau's essay was his strong disap- proval of the American govern- ment of his day on two issues, the Mexican War and slavery. The Mexican War was one of flagrant aggression in which the Americans moved in and conquered vast territories in the southwest. (It has always been a source of pleasure to me, when Americans decry British "co- lonialism" to remind them of Cuba, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, the Phillippines, Panama and Texas. They have conveniently forgotten, in most cases, that many of these "acquisitions" were a result of direct and violent conquest.) Thoreau spoke openly of revolution. "When a sixth of the population of a nation which has undertaken to be the refuge of liberty are slaves, and a whole country (Texas) is un- justly overrun and conquered by a foreign army (U.S,), think it is not too soon for honest men to rebel and revolutionize." Isn't the situation almost exactly the same today? Blacks are not legal slaves, but they are economic ones. North Viet Nam was not exactly overrun, but not for want of trying. And what would happen to Thoreau if he expressed such sentiments today? Probably not much, because there is a growing, swelling anger against the stupid war among Americans of all walks of life. But, if he'd said it ten years ago? Or in the era of Yoe McCarthy? He'd likely have lost his job, been harassed by the CIA and/or FBI, attacked by some segments of the press, and generally driven like a fox before hounds. It speaks much for the growing lack of freedom in the U.S. (and elsewhere) that nothing serious happened to Thoreau at all, when he uttered these inflammatory remarks. He did spend one night in jail, when he refused to pay his poll tax, on the basis that his dollar might buy either a man or a musket to shoot one with. But somebody paid his fine, and he was released. Today we have the prospect of men spending years in jail because they refuse to go against their consciences. We have thousands of U.S. draft- dodgers in Canada, forsaking their home and native land for reasons of common sense (who wants to be killed?) or con- science. Joan Baez, the folk-singer and anti-war individual tried to take a similar stand by refusing to pay her income tax. The government merely deduc- ted it at source, from the record companies who paid her royalties. Thoreau advocated that, if there were an unjust law, we should break it. What do you think? What would happen to an or- dinary Canadian who said, "I will pay to have my garbage collected and the streets repaired, But I will not pay one penny for "national defence". I don't want welfare, unem- ployment insurance, medicar so I won't pay a nickel toward them."? The answer is obvious. That hold Canadian would spend the rest of his life in the law courts, being punished by "his" gover- nment, instead of being allowed the simple, sensible alternative of opting out, Life is too short. But are we being governed to death? Oh, for a few Thoreaus in these timid days! Scott's Bide-a-Wee Health Farm Haven for Tired Businessmen is still only a dream. but I believe I'll write a few words about it, anyway, in the interests of attracting potential customers. The idea first came to me when I chanced on some statistics concerning the ap- palling condition of what is known as The Executive Type. The pace and pressure of modern business, it seems, is reaping a terrible harvest. Tests of a cross-section of executives showed them highly prone to illnesses and generally run-down physically. A shocking percentage„ suffered from insomnia. They were vic- tims, in most cases, of hyper- tension and mental fatigue. Shortly after reading this I met an executive I'll call ,Mr. Haddock. When met him he was working a Swede saw over a fallen alder tree. Once or twice a year, depen- ding on the roughness of his nerve-ends, Mr. Haddock drops everything and escapes to the country. He boards in a far- mhouse, does his share of the chores, lives to the full, the sim- ple, regimented, rural life, then FIFTEEN YEARS AGO January 23, 1958 For the first time in 22 years Stephen Township reeve is war- den of Huron County. In a stif- fly contested battle at County Council on Tuesday afternoon, Reeve John Morrissey won on the fifth ballot in a 17-16 vic- tory over John Durnin, West Wawanosh Township. Miss Sadie Lovett and Mrs. B. Murray, "The Lovett Specialty Shop" acompanied by Miss Gayle Murray, spent Wed- nesday at the Hotel London, at- tending the Garment Salesmen's Spring and Sum- mer Festival of Canadian Fashions. They expect to be showing a smart line of sum- mer styles. Harold Brandon was lucky on Monday afternoon when two red foxes fell to one cartridge fired from his shotgun. He and his son Glenn were hunting in the bush at Marsville with two beagles. The pair of foxes were running together and when they came into gun range, Harold pulled the• trigger. 25 YEARS AGO January 22, 1948 E. C. Munro retires after 25 years as barber. His shop. will be occupied by Alvin Vodden, Londesboro, who will conduct a watch reapir business. Oneof Clinton's eldest residents,John Derry, passed away in his 96th year. The Friendship Club of St. Paul's Church held a special Meeting to honour their president, Miss Madelon Hawkins, who has accepted a position as Superintendent of Homewood House, TorOntO, returns, refreshed and revitalized, to his desk. The obvious commercial possibilities in this instantly seized my imagination. Why, if a fellow could handle the Mr. Haddocks on a mass- production basis, I reasoned, he'd not only make himself a nice little pile, but provide a service to humanity. The ground-work for this en- deavor is carried on whenever my two potential partners and I chance to meet. One of them happens to own a farm. There is all. sorts of lovely work waiting to be done there. The other is a general practitioner whd will make sure that ou'r clientele does not drop dead from too much enthusiasm with the Swede saw. We have decided to be cour- teous, but terribly firm with the executives. A list of rules will be prominently displayed in each room. The rising hour will be at 5:30 a.m., a time dictated by cows which, for reasons that persistently escape me, require to be juiced at this hour. Lights out will be at 8 p.m. We do not think our executives will have difficulty going to sleep. Clinton Colts sustained their first loss of the season to Seaforth, 13-6, but won 1640 from Clinton R.C.A.F. 40 YEARS AGO January 26, 1933 Clinton has seldom had such a shock as was felt on Saturday evening when it became known that Dr. J. C. Gandier had passed suddenly as a result of a heart attack. To say that Dr. Gandier will be missed in this town and community is too mild a statement altogether. The directors of Clinton Spring Show will hold a Grand Champion Spelling Match on the evening of the Fair in the town hall, in connection with the concert. This match will be open to all, free for all. Three valuable prizes will be given for the last 2nd last and 3rd last standing when the contest closes, The framed portrait of ex- Mayor A, T. Cooper, which was removed from the wall of the council chambers, where it hung amongst others, has not been returned and no trace has been found of it. The sup- position is that it was taken as a joke but that sort of thing is no joke and whoever did it would be well advised to see that it is returned to its place, 55 YEARS AGO JANUARY 24, 1918 Messrs. J. Wiseman and P. Cantelon are auditing the town books this week. On Saturday last, afternoon and evening the Public Library gave out over 340 bo6ks, The Clinton public seems to be a Tobacco and liquid spirits will be eliminated or strictly rationed, except to the management. My farmer friend being a product of the old world and having the memory of the European spas in mind, is in- sistent on a Danish-style steam bath where we may boil out our customers on their arrival, pale and vibrating from the stress of commerce. The meals, of course, will be plain and simple, as meals generally are in the country, Our physician is convinced that this alone will bring our clien- tele to a state of health they haveri't enjoyed since, they were children. The success of this plan, which awaits only the minor detail of us getting together the $50,000 of the original nut, seems to me pretty well in- s u r ed. You can argue as you will about country-life versus city- life, but the fact is that people who live out in the sticks har- dly ever succumb to nervous disorders. They are often weary. Run- ning a farm, despite the labor- saving devices of the day, is reading public. The salt works at Stapleton has ceased operation. The Russian Bolsheviki troops are tearing up railways, destroying bridges in conflict with Ukrainians. Bolshevik Premier Lenin was fired upon in Petrograd. Mrs. A. J. Holloway returned Monday after spending a few weeks with her daughter, Mrs. I. Rattenburg, Peterboro. The midnight train on Friday night last got stuck in a drift the other side of Seaforth. , 75 YEARS AGO January 20, 1898 The reapirs to the disabled incandescent dynamo were completed Saturday but not un- til Tuesday did the light come up to the standard. The break made it somewhat awkward for the churches Sunday evening. The service in Rattenburg St. Methodist Church was with- drawn, but the Ontario Street officials pressed into service still a physically exhausting oc- cupation. But mentally it is therapeutic. The farmers I know have a wonderful quality of calmness rarely encountered in those who live by their wits. Of course, we are indulging in an idle dream. The Health Farm Haven will probably get no farther than our plan to start a holly tree farm (you spend all winter in Tahiti and come back for a couple of weeks to clip sprigs of holly which you sell at fantastic rates). But, you know, I'll bet it would work, at that. I can think, myself, of a couple of executives in my own business who have that foolish feeling of indispensability and who may, in fact, drop dead still under the impression that the wheels will stop turning if they do. What they need is a week of this absolutely simple regimen with its soothing rhythm of milk squirting in a pail and saw teeth biting in a log and 10 hours of solid, dreamless sleep. Their money back if they don't return to the grind better men, Prices, of course, will be rather high, but may be amor- tized over the 10 years of extra life we guarantee. their old kerosene lamps and chandeliers and fared not so bad. The News-Record has been informed several times of late that peddlers are roaming over the country with a very inferior grade of gold-plated watches which they manage to sell at the price of a good article. The time-pieces look well for the time being, but the plating being of the flimsiest, they soon lose colour. It is surprising that people will continue to buy from peddlers whom they do not know in preference to reliable dealers. Are you afraid of the dark? You should be. The Industrial Accident Prevention Association reminds you that more traffic accidents occur at night. So help support I.A.P.A.'s 1973 drive to "Zero in on Defensive Driving" by being extra careful when you drive at night. It is all part of "Proper Job Perfor- mance" at home and at work. Dear Editor; I would strongly commend to everyone, the letter written by Mrs. E.D, Fingland in last week's paper regarding the use of the cruel leg-hold trap now employed by many trappers. Canada has lagged behind badly in having legislation passed to prohibit these traps. With humane traps available, it is a sad commentary on our country's inhumaneness that so many continue to use the bar- barous leg-hold trap. Mrs. Fingland's letter stated very well the ease for the humane trap, and I can only urge all concerned people to write to the Premier and their local M.P.P. of this Province demanding an end to the cruelty. Sincerely, (Mrs. G.) Audrey Graham - Hayfield Dear Editor: During our 1972-73 Annual Appeal which is just now en- ding, your newspaper carried our news release. As a result we were able to explain the work which CANSAVE under- takes to your community, while asking for their support. Because CANSAVE does no paid advertising, media support is vital to our cause, patricularly at Appeal time. Your response contributed to our success. Knowing that we are only one , of many agencies that request your generosity at this time of year, we are especially grateful' for the coverage. Thank you. Yours sincerely, Neil Kozioff Information Officer Dear Editor: After reading January 18th issue of the Goderich Star I'm sure the people of Huron COunty and our American visitors are asking the same question which is now going through my mind. What is wrong with the thinking and planning qualities of the per- sons voted in and, paid, to han- dle our interests. We apparently have members on the Huron County Council which I believe are taking a very dictatorial view of the situation by saying that the structure holds no memories worth hanging onto. Our neighbours to the south of us have numerous tourist attractions namely (forts) Indian villages which if you read your history books represents a great deal of blood shed and sorrow, but do they tear them down, no they have enough foresight to restore for the coming generations, no wonder we're still in the back woods and until we have solid councils to protect our heritage and not, be carried away by prestige builders, you can ex- pect more of this. We seem to be living in a time when it's not safe to turn our backs. I don't really think our teenagers are so far out as some people believe. I can't understand why this was not foreseen, as the present assessment building should never have been erected in that area in the first place. They should have recognized it as only the beginning of the destruction of the only struc- ture of its kind in North America. Let's hope that the County Council sits down and handles it in the proper manner as this historical building does not belong to a few but the whole area as a very valuable tourist attraction. I surely hope all citizens far and wide will stand up and be counted, and send a letter to Huron County Council. A very concerned citizen. Yours truly Syd Lawson 4—CLINTON NEWS-RECORD. THURSDAY, JANUARY 2 5, 1973 Editorial comnrerr t.