The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-03-26

abuses and violation of law, yet, holding
the reius of government during pc.
Rod of nine months, the dives, tho
gambling establishments, the policy
shops, the crap institutions, the houses
of ill-repute, the establishments for the
promotion of youthful depravity, the
vicious liquor element and the prize
fight ring are ms much existing evils
to-day under the so.caliel Reform ad-
ministrstiou as they were before its
advent to power. That is what there
is OF 1t.
But what "delectablo presum ption"it
is for the Pilot TO query. docs The
VIRalSlAN churge that the Pilot or its
editor have ever winked ut such viola
tions OF the law" TIE VIRGIN!AS
never alluded to the Pilot nor its edi.
tor. 1t bad no reason on this ocoa ion
to do 80. MIR. Sam w. Small, the edi-
tor, or Mr.. Sam w. Small, the minis
ter, or Mr., Sam w. Small, the lawyer,
were not criticised. Certainly the
Pilot was not. 1t WAS AIR.
Sam w. Small. the orator ut the meet.
ing in question, he. and he alone, who
was referred to, md no ono knows this
better than the amiable gentleman
himself. The query, therefore, is
piece OF absolute presumption, unwar-
rnnted aud uncalled for. for tho Pilot
aud its editor have taken exceeding
pains to let tue critics and The public
understand where to draw the line SO
as not TO mix up the varied pursuits of
minister, lecturer, editor, lawyer and
speaker, etc., etc., etc.
UDquestionably THE VIRdIN1AN very
emphatically protests against the Pilots
"delectable presumption" that it has
been more alert to the lawless doings
oil the violations of law in this commu-
nifty than any other newspaper in the
city. This is mn unblushing extrava.
gance upon its part. 1t has rs vet
learned but tho crudest lesson of an
apprenticeship at the business, aud Its
work has beou most bungling in results.
In the present attempt for more
thorough police efficiency one of the
Police Commissioners has proclaimed
1t was in compliance with the demand
Of TIE NIRGlNIAN. Throughout It's ex-
istence this paper las never failed to
condemn misgovernment. 1t never
hestated to critcise the misdeeds and
short comings Of its own party, and
it is certainly not going to overlook
the missdeeds aud short comings of
party that protested and Processes
so much aud which has violated its
professions and pledges IN most glar-
ing manner.
1t proclaimed against airing govern.
ment. yet more arbitrary and dicta.
torlal ring never existed than the
controlling element in its advisory
committee Under its rule, good,
faithful officials were ruthlessly re.
moved from Office and appointments
made, III many instances. OF iucompe-
tent and vicious men. Since the ad-
vent of the Pilot it has witnessed, with.
out condemnation, the removal of
officials without charge or specifications
or right OF defense. a high police
official fired upon an inoheusive
negro who was begging for something
to eat. Yet it was silent. 1t has
witnessed citizens OF high standing
arrested upon mere pretext that they
formed and unlawful group, with
ont protest. Evidence has been
given in public court that
private detective of the Police
Commissioners, was man OF unsavory
character and was guilty of most
shameful acts in the discharge of
so-called duty, and not an utterance
OF censure or indignant surprise, of the
Board or the man. was expressed in its
coiumns, while ut other times, members
OF the Council of highest respectabiliiy
IN business and social circles, have
been ruthlessly criticised for daring to
TO differ with the pnrtizan methods and
measures Of the majority party. Que
Justice OF the Peace was denounced
IN most vigorous language for taking
straw bail on trivial matters and his
removal demanded, while another, who