Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-03-29
TWELVE PAGES
WEDNESDAY, MARCH %, 1899.
DIRTY WORK"

Recently, the esteemed Richmond
Times quoted with approval an edi-
torial from THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
on the need of honest men in politics,
and especially in conducting and super
vising our nominations and elections.
The article quoted concluded thus: "1f
honest men do not push 10 the front for
honesty, honesty will be LETT"
Upon this, commenting at some
length, the Times said:
"Amcn and amen. We disagree with
the Virginian-P in regard to GER
tain questions OF public policy, but
when 1t comes to the question of cleo
tions. there can be no difference he
tween honest men as to how they shall
be conducted. This is Il country of such
vast resources that il can exist. and
even prosper. under false policies OF
finance, tariff ana the like. But if dis
honest elections are to be the rule in
the several states. and If the affairs
of government are 10 be administered
by corrupt men chosen by corrupt
methods. the Republic will soon fail,
and great Will be the fall thereof"
Amen and amen, say we; and cspe-
cially do we say amen when the Times
declares: This is a country of such
vast resources that il can exist. and
even prosper under false policies of
finance tariff and the like" a DECLARE
ton THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT itself
has made many n time and oft in ol
most the same identical words,--as may
now be seen to partial extent in some
branches of industry. enterprise ana
speculation.
But. though the Times thus offers
TO us n most tempting theme of discus
sion, we turn from it to the more inn
portant topic upon which all respecta-
Bile citizens and journals should agree
and In which the Times and TIE, VIZ.
GINIAN-PILOT are at one 1t is =
truism, indeed, that honesty shonld
prevail In everything. and that honest
men alone should be invested with o,,.
trust public or private; but much
more than this is said and meant in
our assertion that. IF honest men an
not PUSH TO THE FRONT for hon.
esty, honesty will be left"
some or US are old enough TO remem-
Der when It was still the custom, NJ an.
Oest citizens. as n matter of coursr
10 mold the polls and be In control of
many other functions now fallen into
The hands OF loafers, and men of $40
having" nor business, and ",yitb noth
ing else to DO" This is very boh. b,,,
IL is by no means the worst to no cola
IL mas come 20 pass that many rcnu.o
ole citizens shun and shrk these a,,tios
particularly in connection With polj-
'cs' nominations. elections and tho
polls; another and unreliable sort of
men seek these very trusts; ana mo
powers that De find in the latter ,
Piiaoie set OF gentlemen, who do not
even require nod or Il wink. I'M, v.ho
comprehend that their selection ana
appointment signifies ana convcvs ,,o
1uilest notification thu, they are en-
pected to do all that rariizan worl,
necessary to success, and which fs con-,
monty known as dirty work"
Ihese appointces are proud of their
Office and perform it with zeal and dill
1gence; and it is greatly TO be feared
that better men who scorn the "dirtv
work" and its dirtier workers. are graf
ified at the results ana applaud them.
while regrettng the lamcntable means
Can apt word. in its meanest sensc) So
meanly employed Every body. without
regard to party. knows these fellows, 4
and what they will do il need be: and
IF one side feell there is no use of yot
ing, the other equally feels that there
IA no need of 1.-THE polling hoIn, q,