The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-10-13
!, Amateur But Clever Poets

Depot. ciarksvlile. Liberty Mills, Han
over, yerdon, Washington, Cobham,
Montpelier, Alcoma. wilmington, Dick
ems, virgilina, Andersonville. Arvona.
Dinwidde, BIairs. Ettrick, Lawrence
lille.
out Of state st-olflces--Oxford, N
c.; Bluefleld. w. yn.: .ashington, b. X
g.; Winston-saleni, N. c.: Enfield, N.
G.: Raleigh. NJ O.. Durham. N. C,;
Guilford College, N. Ii; Green's
boro, N. q: New York CITY;
Relay, Nd; Warrenton, N. c.. Smith
field, N. G.; Henderson, ". c.; Charles.
ton, W. VA; Weldon. N. c.: Bristol.
Tenn: Rosemary, N. Gil; Chicago. ILL.,:
Tuskesee, Ala; Ossining. N. ": Gin
cinnati, o.; Baltimore, Id; Newborn,
H. c.; Parnassus. Pa, Augusta, Ga:
Chattanooga, Tenn; Greenville, s. CO
Philadelphia, Pa: Columbus. s. G.
Limerick Editor Times-Dispatch:
You offered n prize last week OF $40
to the one who sent the best line, but
there were scores of others far better
I than the poor one which you selected,
and we think we Smell u rat" by
name OF "Partlality," which generally
4 BHds it's way into such things.
!, Wish you would publish this, but
know you will not. as tho writer has
many friends of the same opinion.
"JUSTICE."
| Richmond, Va.
i In IL contest of this sort 1t is natural
I and altogether reasonable that many
| persons should differ from the awards
I and decisions made by the Judges. I'm
/ happily, 1t is equally inevitable that
very few persons, whose minds natural
\ ly run in such directions should sus.
pect Intentional unfairness. The
/ Times-Dispatch. therefore,, considers IT.
self fortunate that the letter printed
| above is tho first expression OF the
sort that has reached 1T during the
! weeks which these limerick contests
| have run.
The mental attitude OF the writer OF
this letter Is a familiar one. 1t is not
uncommon among disgruntled and dis
appointed competitors and particular
/ ly among competitors whose failure
was foregone CONCLUSION. Because, In
his opinion, there were scores or
others far better than the poor" line
we selected, this writer loses no time
In concluding that we are dishonest, 1t
. goes without saying that his criterion
of honesty on our part Is as to whether
or no we select his own line or lines
as the best. 1t is no less plain thnt
/ his many friends of the same opinion
4 would gauge our honesty. In turn by
the rating which wc put upon their
4 several lines.
Mrs. Charles w. Donnally, author OF
the prizs-wnning line last week. is, SO
i far as VIC are aware, personally un-
4 known to anybody connected with The
lTimes-Dispatch. 1t Is certain that the
4 Judges who selected her line out OF
some 5000 possibilities. had never so
much as heard her name before. Louisa
Courthouse, where this lady lives. is a
town of perhaps 1000 inhabitants.
! Why. if The Tlmes-Dispatch wished to
exhibit partially. it should select as
the object OF its fayoritism one who is
an entire stranger to 1t, and who-lives
in Il community too small to make the
ensuing publicity advertising, etc. of
any appreciable Importance, Is con-
sideration which thinkers Of this pro-
: fundity never pause to study.
Justices" letter Is, as was to be
4 expected, anonymous. 1t is. thereforc.
by the rules obtaining in all news
: paper offices, entitled to no notice
{, whatever. We have printed 1T merely.
! because we think 1t will do him good
; to see it in type here, with. these Gem
!, ments appended; and because this Is a
convenient way of requesting him and
= his many friends OF the same opinion
Ito have tho kindness and good Taste
= to refrain from participating in these
; Times-Dispatch may from time to tims
? inaugurate.
!. The secretary and treasurer OF the
|. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce.
. who is. q contestant this week, ofress
!. the following limerick:
j, Dear bird in the third-story cote,
{ / send You one line from my throat;
!, And though quite fee
!, Tor E. singer like me-
!. PLEASE send me thnt ten-doilar note.
u Mrs. Lucy Ball.. of brakes Branch
u W., who inquiries about tho origin OF
j, the Limerick will find all available in
!, formation in our editorial article IN
: Tho Times-D Dispatch for Friday, Sep
u tember eth.