The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-10-09
RICHMOND AFFAIRS,


Rlchmoud's good name was seriously
besmirched by the report OF the Hust-
inss Court grand jury anenl corruption
in its Common Council. That paper
which was handed in to Judge Witt on
Saturday afternoon is a strong official
mpeachment of the citys civic integ-
rity and will be read with regret not only
in Richmond, but throughout the STATE.
The grand jury states, a4aoas ulner eva.
5dences of official corruption existing IN
richmond, that for one franchise a Ger
tain corporation expended $ZvO,vvV IN the
way Of directly and indirectly influence
ing votes in the Council.
While 1t may prove impossible to as
certain with sufficient legal certainty
the guilty parties to this and other like
fraudulent transactions. yet out of such
uncover;ng and exposure Of the grievous
sores from which the body polite of
hlcnmond mas suffered. there ought to
result the ultimate purifying of Its city
government. The eyes of her electo, ate
are at length opened through the inves-
tigation Of this grand jury. What has
before been a matter OF charge and as
sertion has now become the subject of
Official presentation and proof, and it Is
left with the voters whether such con-
dlt1ons shall be permitted to continue in
the future. The unworthy public servant,
he who has struck at the good name Of
the city whose best interests he was
elected and commissioned to- preserve,
will now likely be sent back to private
life and a new Richmond. regenerated
and purified. ought to rise out Of the
shame Of this hunniliating exposure. Our
capital city, If we mistake not. will not
be taught this lesson in vain. 1t is heroic
treatment through which it is now pass
ing, but evidently one in which 1t has
stood long and sorely in need, and from
which 1t will no doubt profit exceeding
ly.-Roanoke World.
II the result be not as our Roanoke
contemporary kindly predicts. then will
tho investigation and the humilitating
exposure have been in vain. When soilcd
linen is washed in public the object Is to
make 1t clean, and II there is no clean
ing, 1t were better not to have had the
disgusting spectacle But before the peo-
pie can determine which members of the
Counc,, to retire. they must know who
the de,inquents are. and the Council as
q body should furnish that information.
=-=-------=
We were in error on Sunday in citing
Section 5e99 Of the Revised Statutes
as now In force. It was repealed by
the posse comitatus' clause OF tho
Army Appropriation act OF 1S7s.-New
York Times.
Curlously enough. this law was enact
ed to enable the President to deal with
the kuisiux in the South. When it had
served its purpose 1t was repealed.
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Another influence Is being brought to
bear to end the strike. The landowners
who lease their coal lands to the opera
tors are getting no rent while the strike
is on. and they are making mighty
howl that can be heard without the aid
OF ear rrumpets.
The Rev. Charles N. Sheldon. who.
before attempting any great and impor-
tant undertaking. always first asks him
SELF What would Jesus co?" has de-
clined to become candidate for Con-
gress.
Guam's supply OF everything else be-
Ing cut of. the island has taken to pro-
ducing earthquakes just to show the
world that she Is some shakes after all
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The Bulgarian brigands have captured