The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-09-07
MRS. SMITHS PAPER.
Her New Enterprise in the Town of North
DanVille,

10 VIII Ice remembered lhdt the ldlc ld-
mented Legislature of Virginia found con-
siderable time last winter 10 amuse Itself
over an application from Mrs Annie smith,
wife of Mr.. J.. \. J.. Smith, 10 enable her 10
prastice law in this state.
That Mrs smith rs a woman Of nerve and
energy is demonstrated by the fact that she
has not yet rclinquished her design. As a
possible means % that end she has started
in North Danyille "a newspaper called the
North Danyille Enterprise. No law
prevents a woman from being an
editor i'm this state. Anybody can
start a newspaper. From the appearance
Of the paper, the first issue Of which has
been received by The TINES, il will bel
bright and newsy. and Of that crisp style
which chararteriZes the newspaper work
Of women. Though Mrs. smith is not the
first woman i'm Virginia 20 enter upon such
"a carecr-the widow of Senator Riddle
bcrges having assumed charge Of his paper
ai WOO dst0ck-she is evidently determined
10 take the lead for her sex in this field.
The papers platoon is 1.-THE adjustment
of cruelty, wrong. and oppression, and the
encouragement of broader and more liberal
views" and the tone Of the paper may be
suggested 10y the salutatory words:
"1he zine has come when the reading peo-
pie are -ired of the newspaper which comes
out with a two-column divorce sensation,
dished uD with shocking details. or a whole
column description ola hgh'. to the eXclu-
sion Of better and more cdifNing literature.
The newspaper Is now recognized as great
public educator, for good or evil j. 10 not
important, then, that its moral tone should
"it is our aim to give North Danyille what
She has so long uceded-a good newspaper
and hope the town viii appreciate our efforts
and give MS hearty support.
TIM TIMES would second many OF the
wise and truthful remarks which follow
upon the subject of immoral advertise
ments. especially those Of the Louisiana
lottery:
1--WE believe that no wOman-yes, no man
can afford 10 put advert iscmeuts of lotteries
and saloons IN a newspaper While they pay
well and help paper financially. they iniure
10 morally. 4 newspaper should have the
morals Of a Christian man OF woman. 10 is a
great educator of The people therefore 10
should not only say, "dO as ] tell you," but
set the example and not be afraid 70 say, edo
as do
Most newspapers DO advertise both Of
these businesses. we "a aware. but that doe =
not make 10 right Ne are not sure, but We
believe we have seen am advertisement Of a
lottery in the same paper win AN article con-
Ocmnlng lotteries This is Inconsistent We
cannot set evil before others without being
morally guilty Of some part. az least, OF the
result. The world would not have known Of
the Louisiana state lottery but for tine press,
and so no evil could have followed but 50 no
evil could have followed, but when the press
makes known where. how when money can
bee gambled away. 10 becomes par,icrUs Grim
mis-. and. morally. must answer for IT'S crime.
We newspapers are not COZ pOratiOus hav-
ing mo- souls. We must answer at the bar of
the great judgment for the sins of the flesh,
among them the sin of impure advertise
ment'
Mrs Smith pays her respects to the late
lamentCd as follows:
IF there is any person who iInaginss that
the editor Of this paper has given up her de-
termination 10 obtain license 10 practice law |
let him disabuse himself 40 once of such
idea.
This month She will make application to
The learned IanVillc judge. who refused 10
allow her certifcate on former appllca- !
ton, in order 10 be refused again. and thus
be able TO carry the matter 10 the supreme |
Court. There she hopes for "a decision i'm her !
case, based not upon any Of the illogical or !
sentimental reasons argued against the mea- |
sure in the recent Legislature, but upon legal |
ones alone.
"!he Legislature graycly 90 decided To |
make no alteration IN the statute relating 10 |
the granting Of license, aLd when the private |
bill, asking them to pass q special act TO /
allow this editor 10 practice law. was intro |
duccd. they put IL OF until the time came for /
dlngleh nom whence many Of them came. |
ard whore they no doubt are now crOaking |
over the fact that they succeeded, by one !
means and another Ia Keeping one woman |
from opening the way into field where men |
have 80 long had a monopoly.
However, 10 is not necessary for the statute |
TO be changed 10 reads not, "ADy man OF !
good character tweuty-One years Of age |
etc, but Any person. Now, the editor OF this |
paper would ike 10 know What She is. If she |
Ism person.
God bless their NOodleShipS Of the Legisla- |
ture who opposed wOmans advancement in |
this respect. but why couldn't they see that |
nearly every other state in the Union has |
given 10 woman this privilege. aud that Viz |
ginia ought 10.
"Great, grand. noble ole virginia 10 be rep |
resented 10y men who would urge such silly |
reasons against reasonable measurei!''
In one Of her squibs the editress grayely |
remarks: This paper will probably be |
entered at the postOflice as secOnd-class !
matter, although it is a first-class paper |
II the Enterprise in iis future issues con- !
tinues as its appears in this issue. there is |
not doubt that it will be trst-class |
paper and THE TINES would respectfully |
Otlcr It's best wishes 10 Mrs. Smith for the |
success of her Enterprise.