The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-04-07
TEE rILor pEARs rALsE w1TSEss

Tho Pilot OF sunday pears iaise "A'HeSs
against the Virginian. unjustly. and
without reason for doing so. when 1t as
ser,s that as soon as the Prohibition Re-
formers came into power the virginian
became 1.-The champion ur wrong and
wrong doers as It's own files and the tes-
ltimory of this community Will fully bear
us out in saying.
This, Virginlan challenges the Pilot to
! show an utterance from the files OF
this paper as a warrant for It's assertion
| that 1t championed wrong and wrong do
ing. Indeed instead of melting spirit
of active opposition to reform in all mu-
niclpal matters. it prodded the new
administration and its officials In every
way possible to carry out the promises
made to the people, in freeing the Gov
eminent Of the city from ring control.
and in urging war upon all dives and
dens. and low resorts that were fostering
sores upon the good fame and reputa-
ton of the city
In It's issue OF July LIST. 1894, COM
menting upon the advent of the new ad-
ministration. Ii remarked:
The issue upon which the change of
administration was effected. was based
upon the desire of the people for govern
ment free from the dictation of ring
rule. an observance OF the Sunday liquor
law, and police system. that would
he free from the influence of the repre-
senta tives of the breaking classes of
the community. The people eX-
pect much ut their hands; more, in all
probability, than should he expected.
If a wise and conservative course is
pursued. the city officials and the
Councils will So act as to convince the
people that they are actuated by an
earnest desire to advance the cHy's well
fare and correct abuses that have eX-
listed, they well deserve the thanks of the
community. If they fail. they will
justly deserve its condemnation"
On July Atm. it warmly approved the
appointment of Captain J. j. Burroughs
as Police Justice. remarSing that, "his
high character as n citizen, his legal
attachments, and his fair-mindedness.
all combine to make him the right man
in the right place"-and 1t voiced public
opinion when 1t expressed regrets at the
removal of Boswell Z. Camp. Esq, who
for twenty-five years, under eleven ad-
ministrations. had faithfully discharged
the duties of his position as messenger
of the Councils, and who was an ideal
type of public official" 1t approved the
City Engineer. and II decried the send
ing to the rear of Mr.. II. c.. Church, the
jantor of the City Hall, to make posi-
tion for Ole Bly, colored, removing q
white man to throw sop to the negro
contingent. In the interest of true re-
form in the Police Department, 1t cri-
ticised the course of Police Commission
Ell Nerdier upon the race-track at Suf-
folk, with his fast trotter, the winner
of $780, not for any objection to the plea
sure of horse-racing. but as the case
would affect the trials of violations of
law in the city by crap-play-
ers. policy dives. and gambling
establishments. lfor it was diff
cult to conceive how. as member of the
Board of Police Commissioners, he could
conscientteusly correct the evils of
crap" policy" or gambling" while
he tolerated or countenanced the racing
of horses for money. II called attention
10 the fact that the great club used by
Mr.. Small, In his campaign, on the head
of the Democratic party, was that which
the Police Department of the city pre-
sented him, through reason of the
shameful manner in which the law
breaking element of Norfolk was pro
iected by those Who had charge of the
laws observance, and that It was the
folIce Department, under Democratic
administration. more than any other
cause In connection with bussism on the
| part of the Democratic ring. that caused
| division in the Democratic ranks. and
drove hundreds of good. earnest Demo-
Gratis 10 vote the Prcaib!t!on-Raform
ticket. as a matter of protest.
AS The Virsinian had never hesitated
tine and again during its existence IL
honestly criticise the mismanagen,cnt
Oh municipal affairs, upon the part OF
| olhc1als elected by the Democratic
party. denouncing in unmea sured VET
just terms. the prostitution of office. pro.
testing against ring rule and offensive
| oosslsm' waring without fear, upon a
Police department. that v-inked Mt fla
rant abuse of law by keepers OF dives
ana brothels, and The violation of the
SUNDAY law: proclainino- e, ,ro;,e+ f,o,,d