Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-04-02
SUNDAY ...............APRIL 2, 1895
THE WEEKLY PRESS.

The influence of the weekly papers Of
Virginia. in political affairs especially. al
ways has been recognized by the Dispatch.
and 1t is no new thing for us TO
say so. We have never withheld from
them this cheerful acknowledgment of
their deserts. And IL is with pleasure we
find that a great majority of those that
have expressed themselves as TO the May
conference are favorable 10 it, We do not
know that We can claim that the major
ity of the city papers are with us. but
certainly the majority of the weekly pa
pers are.
The editor Of a daily paper has TO make
up his mind quickly and write hurriedly.
He must deal with questions as they arise
and new ones pop" up continually.
He does not have the leisure for COM
position that his brother of the weekly
can nearly always command. More: The
latter's office is the reading-room Of the
town, and there his friends and neigh
bors-the lawyer, the DOCTOR the farmer,
the businessman, and the retired states
man-gather 20 examine his exchanges
and discuss the news of the day. If he
be a wide awake man, and usually he is,
particularly where politics are concerned,
he gathers much Information from his
visitors He may have every public
question sifted for his benefit if he will
but encourage his friends TO talk. And
these assemblies and debates may go on
for three or four days before he Is re-
quired to put pen TO paper See what an
advantage that gives him. In the city
such visits are not encouraged; it would
be impractbcable in the Office Of a daily
newspaper. where everybody, from the
rditor-in-chief down to the devil" is ION
"a rush" and where night is turned into
day. for working hours
So all the advantage for keeping in
contact with the people is with our weekly
brother. There is a difference, too, in
having day and having week, may be,
TO think a thing over, before taking ones
pen in hand.
All these circumstances give our weekly
friend fine opportunities 10 inform him
self by comparing his own views with
those of many different members Of So
ciety. Hence we have come to rely upon
his judgment as 10 what the people want,
or do not want. If the sentiment of the
Virginia masses is not 20 be obtained
from him, We know not where to look
for it. And, as we have said. 1t is crafty
ing now to find that most Of the country
papers are cordially disposed towards the
May conference.
Yes; we find from them what we have
long been convinced of-that the Demo-
Gratis of Virginia, in overwhelming num-
bers. favor the idea of electing senators
by direct vote of the people, and till that
is done. desire TO make nominations by
some popular method.
We learn. too, that the attendance here
on May nth will be large. 1t is to be
presumed that the railroad companies of
this State will make as low rates for
travel to and from this conference as
they have hitherto done for State con-
ventions.
The dignity and importance Of this
movement, and the number Of people
who wish 10 come here on the nth
proximo. will justify the companies In
making the usual reductions in rates.
The people desire 10 see representative
men present from all sections Of the State,
but this cannot be expected unless rates
OF travel are made as low as possible.