Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1897-12-11
THE TWO sUPERINTENDENTs,

THE defeat in the Democratic legis-
tive caucus OF Major B. w. LYNN, as
superintendent of the Virginia Peni-
tentiary and bon. JoFN (. MASSEY as
superintendent OF Public Instruction
was as surprising TO some people as IL
was certain with some others.
Both had made admirable officials,
and their abilities we're recogniz' d even
by their opponents.
Major LYNN had convinced the peo-
pie of Virginia, who had taken the
time to think that he was a fixed in
stitution," an absolute necessity in
the march OF reform.
He boosted that he had saved to the
state about fifty four thousand dol
lars, besides esta blishing the peniten-
tiary farm. But this was OF no avail.
In order to produce the very result Of
which he spoke he had to take from
the sheriffs of the state large per
cent of their fees, and they inaugu-
rated systematic crusade against him
with the disastrous result noted.
Moreover, Major LYNN made the
mistake OF carrying his military disci-
pline too far. He permitted it to be
publicly announced without contradic-
ton that guards at the institution were
discharged not on account of direlec-
tion in duty, but, but because they
were opposed to him.
He stood by his friends, and was
merciless in dealing with his enemies
With the array against him. his msgni
icent organization or machine" was
powerless in the legislative chamber OF
Virginia, and he went in boldly t.
overwhelming defeat.
He met his Waterloo" defiant t,
the last and asking no favors of those
who had brought about his downfall
The few words which escaped his lips
indicate that two years hence, Hon.
w. SoUTHALL, his successor will find ,
lively opponent in the person OF tn,
gentleman who in few short weeks
will retire in his favor.
Mr.. MASSEY was no less resourcefu
in his canvass. This mistakes of Mr.
LYNN were not made by him. He wa
suave, coaxing, methodical, argument,
tive and brilliant.
1t was a punching of untowa arc
events which encompassed his defeat
He had a plurality of votes as sgains
the field, and was only retired from
the contest on the sixth ballot. rhi
was one Of the most remarkable politi
cal contests within party in the his
tory Of the state, and marks JOAN E
MASSEY, even in the closing years o
his eventful Career as character, tn
counterpart of which has not beer
seen in a century.
The Pilot Libel Suit with its darl
chapters, the investigating committe
of the Sons OF Confederate Veteran
with its exposures, the condemnatio
of the Superintendent by the member
of the Confederate Veterans Camp
and the close fight made by the objec
: of their attack, in the caucus is an his
, torical event so far as this state is cor
cerned.
Strange too that but week or NOR
before his crushing defeat, the Rich
} mond, Va, STATE, the journal which i
days past and gone denounced him Q
the ''disfrocked pulpiteer," the ''spaw
: Of corruption etc." should nave pass
ed into the hands of receiver an
ended its existence.
r The employees who were under thes
two superintendents will be as absC
lutely discharged as though they wer
life long republicans instead of carr
est Democrats.
Such is "the irony of fate."s TIL
leaven is working and the absolut
. reign of one ring will be found to /
even more grievous than the sway
9 two Of opposite political affiliations.
Ring down the curtain Ready I'll
next act.