The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-04-21
a cowARDLY sLANDEH.

Had the distinguished editor of the
| Pilot q knowledge of the untruth con-
| tanned In the Communication OF CORE
| spordent of the Pilot In its Sundays
issuo. assailfng the motives prompting
| the editor of The Virglnian for critics.
| ing the record of the Prohibition-Re-
form party the Virginian is of the be-
lief that the communication in question
would not have been tolerated. Its au-
thor must either be grossly ignorant of
the facts or wilfully malicious in pre-
venting the truth In the first place.
the brave. honored and respected citi-
zen alluded TO was retired from the posi-
sit.on OF Chief of the Fire Department,
which he had held continuously for over
twenty-three years. by misrepresenta-
ton in the Democratic caucus, and as
q result, by reason of this, misrepresen-
ta;;on. and as it is asserted. a rebuff
TO the editor of The Virginian by Demo-
cratic Ringsters. because of its attack
on the Democratic Ring, Captain Kevill's
name was not presented. although he
rsosived voluntarily the votes of MEM
bers of The Council elected on the Pro-
hibition ticket. Had his name been pre-
sented by the Democratic members he
would have received sufficient votes from
gentlemen elected on the other ticket to
have reelected him to the position he
had so long. so faithfully. so neroically,
al times, and so honorably filled. In
tina second place Chief Kevill was not
retired till the 9TH of August, 1894, and
the criticisms of The Virginian on the
fraudulent record of the party in power
began with that party's first violation Of
its pledges and promises to the people,
as made in the exciting campaign pre-
ceeding the May election. These facts,
pres snted below. will demonstrate this:
On July 4, 1894. The Virginian ex-
pressed the hope that the new Police
Commissioners would reach public expec-
ta;ion in closing up the dens and dives.
especially those i'm the vicinity of the
police station. between Washington and
Main street. The stencil OF their eNis-
tence in these localities being insuffera-
BILE. Thsse dens and dives still remain,
and according to report a great deal
OF this property is owned by Prohibit
ton Citizen Reformers.
July 9th the Nirginiap criticised the
Iediscretionl of Police Commissioner YER
der Il: the Suffolk Fair course. calling
attention to the fact that the admins
tration Of The police departms by the
Democratic administration. mo:e than
through any other cause drove hundreds
of Democrats 10 vote the Prohibitions
Reform ticket.
July 10th 1t criticised ths stultificn-
ton OF the pledges made by the leaders
of the Prohibition-'Reform party. and
denounced the party as piratical craft
sailing under false colors.
July I'M in calling attention 10 the
statement OF MIR. c. w. KellingSr. presi-
dent OF Board Of Street. Sewer ana Drain
Commissioners. that the white men were
removed from the street force and their
places filled by negroes. without charge
or complaint simply n the demand of
! the Board" or Ring OF the party in
power. ii asked IL this Ring" was n
part OF the city government. that l..
should control the representatives of
the people in the Legislative branches of
the city, and to crush out all indepen-
dence OF action nd responsibility upon
the part of elective and appointed offices.
July lith IL congratulated those MEM
bcrS tOf the CouncilS--WinSton, Campo.
Small and otlpsns--who l., oke the sheck-
els OF tn Ring" 10y which Ii was sought
| 10 control and fetusr freedom and indie
pendence of action.
Angus. A;h. abiding to the call made
| on the PTOhibition- Reform CLUBS OF the
| city To meet and take suitable action
lin regart. to the asserted unfair tIeat-
ment nj the hands OF the Democratic
press. especially the 'wanton and scurr!-
| lous attacks OF The Norfolk Nlrgin;an,
this paper had the following comments:
| Since the election The Nirginian has
denounced as a fraud and an untruth
the claim that has been made by the
| Prohibition leaders that this municipal
contest in May was n Prohibition VIC
| tory. 1t has asserted that such a claim
was violation of the issues of the con-
test. and had created just and merited
rebulie. II denounced the displacement
OF white labor upon the street force
without charge and without notice that
negroes might bc appointed in their
places. 1t condemned the course of Po-
lice Commissioner Nerdier in occupying
In consideration of his official position
q place as hacker of his horse on the Suf-
folk race course. 1t deplored the re-
moVal OF the venerable Boswell ~.
Camp. the faithful messenger of the
Council through many administrations.
1t condemned the policy proposed by the
Prohibition leaders of wholesale removal
from Office. irrespective of faithful and
honest discharge Of duty and reflected
the opinion of this community when ii
asserted that a gross error was made
in the selection OF the material compos-
ing the new detective force
This was the course of The Virginian
as 10 It's criticism on the present party
in power. previous to any action on the
cos. of h,a,-. ,,,n, l..