The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-09-29

citizen OF Virginia. with his opinions on
an hrcs OF pubic questions, we very
much doubt o. he could be elected 90
single Office On the gift Oc this people
our own Senator Daniel is greatly his
superior as q statesman and an orator
ana in his fine appreciation OF the self
respect, cOurtesies equities and diguitics
Of life. he is far and away beyond him
We admire Mr.. Bryan for his beautiful
home life. for his personal honesty, but
no rs am unsound leader Of public thought
a dangerous stirrer-up of unjust passions
VIII the railroads in Virginia give
political contributions 20 Democratic
campaign funds in the future?
a few years ago there used 20
roll into the State Committees
treasury thousands OF dollars from the
Southern. the Chesapeake and Ohio and
the Norfolk and Western railroads. II
has been even slyly limited that similar
contributions poured into the lap OF the
Republican Committee at the same time,
So that i'm either case they could De
making friends OF the mammon Of un-
righteousness" But the story is going
about this state that a Few years ago
in a famous senatorial contest these rail-
roads had worked Off on them gold
brick" and since then they sicken az the
thought OF having anything further to
do with politics. Why do the railroads
give political contributions? Is &c throw
ing "a tub 90 tho whale" that otherwise
might smash them. or Is 80 purchasing
further extensions or special privileges
and special franchises The safest and
most becoming thing for railroads IA this
state 20 do I'm the future IS 20 stav out
OF politics. By appointing certain agents
70 see that certain sums of money reach
political leaders is like sowing the wind
from which some day they may reap the
whirlwInd. Certain book companies tn
this state have tried 20 make campaign
contributions 90 political parties, and the
whole thing has acted as a boomerang.
IT, is n stupid man ar the head OF any
or these great corporations that begins
10 put his money out on political waters
with the hope that 10 may return again.
The Republican party in Virginia IS
about as badly muddled O. piece of po-
udcal organization as it has ever been
orr opportunity to- see So scattered and
neglected has the Republican organiza-
tiou become en- this State that it even
oXcites the suspicion that such disOr-
elulzatiOn is intentional ln facr DC Is
even whispered in knowing circles that
/ they have Withdrawn from the field in Nir-
| rlnia iu order 90 give the Democrats bet
| Ter opportunity 90 lal ont among tnem-
| selves. With % strong man Go lead them,
| OF the -lah0ne type for organization with
0ur his interruptions methods, the fe-
| publican party On this State would ate
| tract the interest Of tho nation. But, as
| o. is. they are scattered. indifferent nes-
| lecteul, scrambllus FOR spoils. eliminating
! and terminating each other. and appa-
/ rcntlv hopeless There is not a Republic
| can daily paper On the State OF Virginia,
/ and very few weekly papers. In fact, 10
| almost looks like an abandoned camp
| What THIS means lt behOOves Democrats
/ 90 Doe looking into PERHAPS they intend
| 10 wait until. the great senatorial nsnt
| between Lee and Martin comes on next
| fali and then make e. dash for the con-
! tr0l OK the Legislature while The Demo-
/ Gratis are warning among themselves.
! There are enough Republican voters 10
! tho state OF Virginia lying around loose
| 90 make such an attempt extremely me
/ terestin5
The American people are beginning 10
feel like their aero-making disposition has
been played upon. They have caught
sight of the wires that ran back behind
the stage and have detected the creaElns
of the machinery as Alger and Lons
have tried to work shafter and sampson
off on them as the heroes of this war.
Years ago General shafter ought 90 have
/ been invaded ou- of The army But Sec
/ rotary Alger selected his fellow Alchl-
/ gander and warm personal friend 20 iead
! the expedition against Santiago smarter
/ is man oil about si1ty-ilve years or age
| weighing 80 pounds, with varlcose veins
so that his legs have 90 be wrapped every
morning. and some chronic kidney or
bladder trouble: and yet this man was
sent ln midsummer TO the tropics TO
| lead the most aggressive and difficult exc
| pedili0n that our country has ever plan-
| ned That he and his army were not an-
/ initiated was the bOunuful mercy or
/ rood Providence together with the ster-
| ling stamina OF the private soldier For
/ three or four days during the nghl ne
/ lay three or four miles back In the rear
on a cot with attendants tanning him
| It was wrong I'M Secretary AlSer 10 PUT
| lis friend IN such position; but ngurlns
! on the overwhelming power or the Jnlled
| states, ne thought he would give MN
| this opportunity % become nero. INC
! great generals OF the world, at least those
/ who have done difficult leats Of invasion,
| mountain crossing. and rapid and thun-
! Her-bolt-like strokes. have all been
| Young men, Alexander, Hannibal caesar,
/ Napoleon, Give, wellington. Stonewau
| Jackson, We're young men full Of physi-
/ cal vigor and initiative. II we ever nave
any more wars TO fight. let us pray that
! an Alger may not be Secretary Of War.
Now let us look a moment al Secretary
Long and his favorte. Admiral Samp-
son is a gentleman IN manner, nne
| bureau officer, full OF the technique or
his profession, accurate in all of its little
laws and court.ies faithful and PAINS
! taking. but after he was given the SUI
prcme opportunity OF this war; and. with
10 particular record behind him, was
put in charge of the greatest number
u vessels any American seaman ever
! commanded, yet In his official report OK
the battle az Santiago he wrote himself
| down a small. a mean-spirited man. he
Is HIS own worse enemy. BY magnliylnS
! himself and minnifying Commodore
! schley and the Brooklyn ne has shown
that he IS incapable OF generous senti-
! meuts which are the constant accom-
| panimenus OF great men. 1.-THE squadron
| under my command" and the Fourth Of
| JuIv present" have covered him with i'm
mortal ridicule. while Secretary LOns
ZONES along and finishes the JOB By pro-