The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-05
SATURDAY. MARCH 5. ls9s.
BAD, But ENDED.

The Legislative session IS over
We have heretofore ssid that there
we're many earnest and serious men IN
this body. but the body as a Whole was
n strong reelection OF Chicagoism and It
has left some radical marks upon our
record that will mar It for a long time
10 ccme. The most notable measure oil
this sort passed by it was the bill TO re-
eulate contcmpts Of courts TINS Dill
divides contempts Of court into two class
es those that take place in the presence
of The court and those that do not. The
court may summaIily punish the hfst
but it may rot - punish the second A
u,sn CHARGED with a contempt OF the
second c.ass is TO be arraigned before
the court upon written charges. an issue
Is to be made up and he is 10 be tried
upon the issue by a jury
We can well understand how the power
exercised by the courts under Injunction
proceedings and in punishment Of those
held 20 be in contempt OF It's
orders. may possibly be used oppressive
", and as an abstract proposition the
division Of contempt OF court into two
classes and a provision for the trial OF
certain contempts by a jury might well
have been taken under consideration. But
there was not the least proyocation in
Virginia for any such legislation, and II
waa&assed to bolster up that plank Of the
Chicago platform which was VIGOROUSLY
passed to condemn Mr. Cleveland and the
Federal courts who were instrumental in
suppressing the Chicago railroad riot
The Virginia Legislature gave its en-
dorsement by implication to the Altgeld
faction and against the enforcement OF
law and the protection OF life and proper
~ by means whose legality and effective
ness were indesputable.
IL is a sad reflection that this act was
distinctly a measure in behalf OF mob rule
and should have been entitled IAN act
to indemnify lawless men against the
consequences Of their acts when they
destroy the property of progressive en-
terprises."
anomalous condition Of things now pre-
vailing In this country is the support
this measure received from distinctly ru-
raj communities. and how the re-
representatives. OF a farmer can think
the farmer interested TO paralyse the
strong arm OF authority when lawless
men declare their purpose to carry
things with high hand we are utterly
unable 10 understand. II IS evident TO
our mind that the Representatives Of ru-
raj constituents who supported this
measure, blinded by their devotion to free
silver and the Chicago platform have
mistaken their own zeal for tho I'M
pulses and wishes OF the farmers behind
them. The farmers Go not wish
70 see Law enacted for Virginia
that enfranchises the mob and
turns the property ana business OF
a thriving concern over TO a body OF
iawbreakers. when a difference between
employer and employe happens TO arise.
Many farmers are deluded into tbs be-
lief that innation and cheap money win
lncrea&o tNtil Property buA to q iNits
the farmers are orderly and law-abiding
men and they are totally opposed to tur-
bulence and disorder. whenever II mani
tests Itself The Virginia Legislature
has made the mistake OF thinking that
because the Virginia farmer held his nose
and swallowed the revolutionary declara-
lions OF the Chicago platform IN
his belief that he would thereby
get free silver. that therefore the
virginia farmer Is really convert 70
the disorderly suggestions involved In the
Chicago platforms plank upon the sub
ject OF government by Injunction
Bot he is mistaken. The farmer neve'
had any heart IN that part Of the busi
ness and Il is at work now and 1t VIII. ir
good time utterly demollsh that pestller.
tIai creed. what took place when MI
Bailey spoke here recently was very
significant. There was an immense eros
at the Academy II Is tree. and they 20
litely applauded Bailey, but only once
and that ives when tho band struck VI