The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-10-10
TUESDAY. OCTOBER 10. 1899.
INDEPENDENT CONTEMPORARIES

INDEPENDENT CONTEMPORARIES
We said the other day that the press Of
Virginia was never more independent
never more defiant OF the political ma
chine than it IS to-day. We repeat that
assertion. having just finished reading
the weekly papers of current issue.
The Brunswick Gazette reminds tho po-
utical bosses that there are some things
higher and nolier tlpn so-called party
regularity.
The Louisa News. which was one Of tho
most aredent advocates Of the doctrines
Of the Chicago platform in 1896. says "the
people should pass judgment of disap-
proval upon any so-called Democratic
organization that does not duly and truly
carry out their Will" Every sort of
stuff" 1t adds. as not Democracy" In
short. the Louisa News is now fighting
the machine.
The stanton Daily News boasts that IL
wears no party's collar. and calls atten-
ton 10 the interesting fact that its neigh
Dor. the staunton Argus. which in 1896
denounced boiling. is now encouraging the
boilers In Augusta county, IL it has not
indeed become the boilers organ.
The Fredericksburg Free Lance. one Of
the ablest and most progressive news
papers in Virginia, makes bold the opinion
that the great need in Virginia to-day is
a respectable minority party.
The South Boston News says that there
is no interest whatever among the people
Of Halifax in the campaign that is now
going on The reason for this indifer-
enoe, It says. is that the people have
become thoroughly disguised with ma
chine methods by which the voice OF the
people is stined.
And so on we could quote from others
Of our contemporaries if we had the space.
We must content ourselves, however, with
few extracts from a recent article in
the Norfolk Virginian-Pilot. The Rich
mond Dispatch had said that in every
case 1t would have persuasion first re-
sorted 10 in order TO show the indepen-
dents the error OF their ways. And the
Virginian- Pilot replies:
Has It never occurred 20 our esteem
ed contemporary that the organization
should be shown the error OF its way
The independents and kickers may not
he tthe Democratic party Of Virginia
but they are true Democrats. loyal TO
the party and constituting a large por-
,icn OF the party, though in revolt
against an unfaithful and usurping ma
chine. But II persuasion win not do
what: We respectfully suggest 70 our re-
spected contemporary that talk like that
may imply too much, and may be holly
resented as d threat
Certainly the machine, nor the organi-
zstion. IS The Democratic party of Vir-
ginia. nor Its masters, 10 whom absolute
obedience is due. as 20 absolute power
The Democratic people constitute the
party, and the Independents haven't the
remotest idea OF creaking their knees or
bowling their necks 10 insolcnt and as
summing officials VINO are properly their
servants. II strikes the Democrats OF
Virginia. who arc the thraiis 0eno man
and Of no set of men. that II is pre-
posterous pretension that robellious- and
usurpins official servants may command
and discipline the citizcnTy who make
parties, organizations and officials.
II IS not necessary to say to the readers
OF The Times that the Virginian- Pilot
has until now stood by the party orsau;-
zation and HIS been rho most ardent. IL
not the ablest. OF ali the strict Chicago
platform newspapers In tho state on
questions OF finance and some other owes
tons OF public policy our Norfolk CON
temporary has been as far from the POSI-
tio NOT Tho Times as the cast Is from
the west. II has vigorously assaulted The
arguments Of The Times and We have
tried TO give blow for blow But the Vir-
xinisn-Piiot has always been generous
enough 10 say that IL admired the indie
pence and bonesty-we quote from its own
words-of this paper. and we can hon
>cstiy return the compliment. Although
these two newspapers are no nearer to-
gether on the financial question than ever.
yet they are to-day on the same platform
~ regards honest elections and oouo-
sition to bossism. Indeed, our Norfolk
contemporary has gone tow-shot beyond
the most vigorous utterances OF The
Times in denouncing this sort Of thing.
Truly The Times is grstined at this
show Of Independence on the part OF its
esteemed Virginia contemporaries. We
ere encouraged. not 70 say enthuscd. IL
~ Refreshing 10 read the manly editorials
uAzfeh ws find In these contemporaries.