Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-07-25
UNPLEASANT FACTS.
THE RICHMOND NEWS TAKES
EXCEPTION TO STATEMENT
OF ITS POSITION.

THE RICHMOND NEWS TAKES
EXCEPTION TO STATEMENT
OF ITS POSITION.
In The Virginian- Pilots Richmond
| news letter. in the issue of July S0th,
appeared statemnt subsequently
| quoted herein to which the Richmond
| News, in it's issue of the same day took
| exception, and the truth OF which il
called in question.
To the end that the columns of this
| paper may merit and retain the full
| confidence of its many readers. on Sec
| ing the veracity of the statement
quoted questioned. The Virginian-
! Pilot at once sent the following letter
to It's correspondent ct Richmond:
July u, 1900.
Mr.. John D. Nfurrell. Richmond. Va.
Dear Sir: You have. OF course, seen
the attack OF the Richmond News Of
the 2oth instant upon you. You Will
| appreciate the necessity The Virginian-
| ptiot is under of having its news from
| Richmond "above suspicion"
The Nirginian- Pilot would be pleased
| 10 have YOU state over your own sig
nature the facts in connection with the
matter rs TO the politics of the News.
| ITS proprietor and editor. in reply TO Its
| attack upon YOU and US.
| We are pretty we'll advised that no
Injustice was done by your statement.
! but We should like Ii to be perfectly
plain to the public. Sincerely,
! NlEGlNIAN AND PILOT PUB. CO.
STATEMENTS REAFF1RMED.
In reply to tho above Letter The Vir-
gianian-Pilot's Richmond correspon-
dent replied as follows:
Richmond. Va. July %.
Editor of The Nirginian-Pilot.
Sir: In The Nirginian-Pilot of the
| goth OF July, under Richmond date
| line, appeared the following:
The Richmond News, which started
out as AZ Democratic paper, Is now
| generally denominated among the
| Democrats as very much Republican,
and the chairman OF the Third District
Committee a few days ago declined to
give 1t any information on that
ground.
The paper is now owned by men
| who voted for Mckinley in 1896. and
are expected TO do so this year. It's
| present editor was unable TO make Il
success In journalistic life in South
Carolina on account of his leaning that
way. The paper has recently been
| made much more attractive. but 1t
| does not take in n Democratic commu-
nifty"
Tho Richmond News reproduces the
| above edltorially and declares the bulk
| OF the statement To be untrue. In JUS
| tice to myself as Richmond CORES
! pondcnt OF the Nirginian- Pilot, and
also to the Nirginon Pilot itself. II Is
proper that the statements contained
In Your Richmond correspondence OF
the 2lth should be substontiated They
were written purely as news item,
and were regarded as timely since the
Presidential campaign is Just opening,
ana II is e matter OF Importance to
the Democrats ut large that the prin-
| ciples Of the various newspapers read
by memberS OF that party should be
| known.
OF the truth OF every allegation there
: no doubt. and the wisdom of writing
| NJ publishing them was the only Ques-
/ ZION TO be considered.
| The Richmond News started out as
| Il Democratic organ. under the man
| agemcnt OF Mr.. Harvey l.. Wilson, and
! as long as he continued In control 1t
was no doubt worthy of that title
| Some time ago Messrn. John l.. Will
| iiNIns {; Sons, wcll-ilnown bankers and
brokers. purchased the controlling in
! terest in the paper. and Mr.. Alfred Il.
| Williams. Il nephew of Mr.. John L.
| Williams. formerly engaged In Journal
| ism in South Carolina. assumed edi-
| torial charge. and rs the present ed
! itor.
Now as to the statements:
| No. /. The paper is dcnominated very
| mucn Republican. and the chairman OF
| the Third District Democratic Com
mittec q few days ago declined 80 give
it any information on that ground.
| This is an absolute fact, and was SO
| affirmed n few days ago by the News
in q lengthy editorial
/ :--a,. - -naiAS nNynad by
mc.i who voted for Mckinley in 1896
| ana are expected TO do 20 this year.
Messrs. John l.. Williams {; Sons are
| strong gold men. They were very
much opposed to Bryan in 1886, and
| have given no intimation of a change
| Of heart.
No. O. It's present editor was unable
to make success in journalistic life
in South Carolina on account OF his
| leaning that way: Q. his uncompro-
missing advocacy of the gold standard.
Without discussing his motives or
his convictions. II Is enough TO say
| hat his views were not acceptable TO
the people of Greensvillc, S. c., gem
| orally, though no doubt his bold and
made him friends. However, Il is Il
fact that when Mr.. Williams accepted
his present position on the News. the
| editorial columns OF the South Caro-
lima papers. notably the Columbia
state. said in wishing him success in
his new venture. that despite his per-
sonal standing his editorial course in
| GreensViile had not been popular.
There was no purpose to say what
measure OF success Mr.. Williams de-
! sired. II he sought only to speak out
| his mind and encourage those OF his
own opinion he succeeded. no doubt.
But measured by the standard OF cir
chation, Mr.. Williams did not achieve
any marked success.
No. t. The paper has recently been
made much more attractive. but IL
does not take. in a Democratic COM
| munity.