Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1840-10-29


TI0N I'VE were rejoieed % see In Mr.. Web
STEERS speech at Richmond, the other day, that
one Of the drst "rsforms" contemplated ey the
wings, when they get the power, - the ssPa-
ration Of the Political Press altogether from
the patronage Of the Government: for hoe -
u possible To keep pure that great Instrument
OF good or evil. .. u /. In honest or dishonest
hsnds, II such powerful temptations TO . course
OF serS'li'y be constantly held up TO the eupidi-
~ OF tis conductors Who for instance can
expect truth iron, the Washington Globe. ex-
eePi when ns ~sss, are not endangered by tell
ins the truth who can expect press. de-
irving such large emolum,n ts from the Admin.
istrstion, ever TO say word witch wild offend
that ADMINISTRATION n the Globe ssw III.
hand upiifted To strike fatal blow az the I,b.r-
ties Of tae eountry-n Il believed that the
measures OF the Administrsiion would over
whelm the nation 10 ruin who believes that II
would dare TO raise the voice Of warming No
man in hrs senses. The sentinel - bribed--and
yet We expect him ~ give warning OF the enc
my's approach II LsHeAts's vrsiaiaH-
Never have gr eater means been employed 10
any country, to destroy the hbsriy Of the
Press and 10 sub.idize and corrupt this imPor-
isnt engine, than have beer used by this Admin
isirstion Almost every editor in the support
Of the Administration, has been rewarded
directly or indirectly; and those who have mo-.
been rewarded, are assured by the course pur-
sued with others and the general policy OF the
Administration, that their turn will come next.
We DO not know = single Administration press
in Virginia, which has been in existence any
COO, idsrsble length Of iime, that has not been
"gressed" from the public larder at one time
or in one way or smother Of which pres.
the editor has DOT been rewarded by money or
by Office. And so 1t has been, We judge from
the statements OF our friends. throughout the
whole country. 10 1899, the Nat ion,i In,elli-
genesr shows from the Official records.
fny thousand doiia,, were paid by the public De
psrtments at Washington, TO printer--being
hesirs iims' much was paid before this
"eeonomicsl'' and ''retrenehment" Aluminium
ton came toto power-ihs expense OF printing
for three years preceding 1896. having amount
ed only to the sun Of JOs thouiand dolls,i per
annum.
Do our readers want any proc! OF all thi.
Look at the thousands OF dollars which have
been paid by the Administration TO their by
Authority" presses in Virgins, and to the large
SUNS which have been paid TO other party ed
TORS for advertising Proposals for carrying
The Mails" sc. Look at our own imme6iste
neighborhood, for the truth OF our remarks
Was not Alburtis ofthe MartinsburS Re pu bic an
rewarded for bis lsbors in The cause OF the
J dinierais3 ?" Was not Robinson OF the VIM
chester Nirginian, rewarded for like services,
by an appointment in one Of the public De-
Psr,ments At Washington, after he had become
doubly recommended by bee oming a dsfsulier
as Postmaster ut Winchester Was not Robin
son OF the Charlestowu Argus, also rewarded
/ In Lab h.
'Ponsible station in connection with the Post.
ohee DePaftment--an Office which he now
holds, as travelling agent aud postmaster to s1-
anime and as'ort the great Southern nails on
the route between Washington ard Richmond
Next you will hear that Smoot Of the Virginia
Republican, who has likewise earned his re-
ward, has been rewarded by some importan,
Office. II lac has not already received IL And
are there not others our doors flies, enviabie
character, backing IN the sunshine Of favors
from the public purse-Who will also ella in
their reward, and receive IL too-sye, receive
lit-(for they are OF the true 20. Ky stamp 10
find favor with this Administra ton If Mar
tin Van Buren, shall be continued in power four
years longer
Thus has the Press been eorrupIed-tbus ha,
its liberty been abridged, ihroughou tse whole
country sswell as al your own doors Can there
be any wonder that defalestions occur. and thai
rogueries take place in the public channels
when such men find favor with the Admini.tra.
ton and are appointed by il 10 responsible Off.
Ices,-When such men are chosen 10 conduct the
public Affairs of the natouP
Does not ihi. form subject for reflection
on coming 10 the polls on Monday next Can
you, votsrs-ean you Yirginians. give vote o.
approval upon such attempts to subsidize and
corrupt the Press, AMI upon such appointment,
TO Office DO it-re-eleei Martin Van Buren,
and what may we not look fer hereafter -
Sanction by your vote what has already beer
done and what outrage in this respect, as wei
as in all others Of which We have eompi ains,
from time to time. will not be commits d, A
the future We look with dread, when vote o
approval shall have been given upon the past.
g.
] PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS.