The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-11-30
Who Stated liz


Editor of The Times:
Sir,-There appeared In the Richmond
Times of October 18th. under the caption
OF Police Board Has Completed Work
an article which stated that there was
then "a strong contention between the
Police Board and DR.. Hawthorne in re-
gard to who started the wave Of reform
which was then swearing over this city
tho Police Beard claiming that it origi-8
mated With them. and Or. Hawthorne
claiming that il was the result OF an
uprising of the people for a better condi-
ton of things In the ligttsof the near
by past. this contention is amusing to
the citizen who has an unbiased mind.
and who has given any thought to recent
them
That DR.. Hawthorne is .correct. in his.
conclusions that recent Investigations
have resulted from an aroused public
opinion, there cannot be a shadow Of
doubt. So far as this statement goes it
can be suhstantiated beyond doubt
but 1t does not go far enough. as 1t
rails to relate the causes which led up
10 this awakening of the people. and to-
give the#credit for its primary cause to
the man. Who from conscientious mo-
tives had the nerve to denoance fraud
and corruption in high places. as we'll
as low. even at the sacrifice of his per-
sonal and political interest asking and
pleading In his candidacy for Mayor
not SO much for himself. as in behalf#of
pure men and honest government.
Notwithstanding the fact that for
Mayor, there had been Widespread ri
mors of cues tionahle transactions in the
conduct of orr public affairs. Notwith-#
staigdil1g the fact that protest ui1on top
moral evils existing in our city, no man
or set Of man in authority, seemed to
consider it their business TO ATTEMPT to
remedy tlle#iroabie. or to Use power, with
which they had been invested by vir-s
tue of their office. to@insure To oursciti-
zels an honest and pure admins tration5
of#their public trusts Political influence
seemed Ole Of more Importance than
tbe$ public good. and ward politicians con-
tlolled the situation III all municipal con-
tests.
Mr.. Carton AieCarthy commenced#5i1
canvass for Manor of this city. As can
We'll be remembered by every citizen of.
Richmond the. canvass of Mr.. Mccarthy
was one. Of the most remarkable ever
yraged in a. political contest. The man
seemed to be enthused only with the
idea of denouncing4 What he. , felt to be
wrong ard fearlessly unfolding what
he believed to be right. throwing aside
every political consideration, making no
attempt TO gain votes at the expense of
truth Cor what he thought TO be true) he
fearlesslv exposed and denounced both
men and amethods. which he believed to
he wrong. regardless of adverse crificis:1.
or unfriendly# comment. As Mr.. Mccarthy
often said during his canvass. hetwas3
more interested in arousing healthy
public sentiment. and awakening the
PEOPLE "a sense Of their danger and
their DUTY than in political success. Mr.
Editor does not8recent events prove that
Carton Mccarthy $ warning and denun-
Citations were timely. and had some foun-
dation in fact. and in the light Of recent
events can any one doubt or deny. that. 4
the wave of reform which recently
swent over this city. was the result of
aroused public opinion. hprn. fed, and
,natIlr,aii by the -ificent. hut self
ss;lcrtt1einsr4sca canvass for MANOR of Carl
ton Mccarthy? Give honor to whom
Respectfully
c. z. RICHARDS.
Richmond, Va. Nov. q, 1902