Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1908-03-06
RES ADJUDICATA.


who heard and weighed the Rhea
investigation matter. This press has
warped sentiment throughout the
State, and thereby many of our State
papers have been mislead. Articles on
the first page of (in fact, all through)
the issues succeeding Judge Rhes's
confirmation and their headlines
(Which. it is fair to assume, received
editorial sanction) veer far from the
facts. That there was any gag
rule" or flash" used by the majority
is absolutely untrue. To see such
statements in so. called Democratic
press is outrageous. One attending
the session would have been puzzled
to determine, after reading these
papers Friday, whether or not he bad
been present the night before.
Through the entire evening, as well
as through all the investigation, the
prosecutors had been given great lat
itnde, and on the final night the Re-
publican-Democratic opposition were
allowed more than their quota of
time. "After discovered evidence"
afterward exploded, and various and
sundry tactics were resorted to,
playing for time to complete the
mind-poisoning begun by the minority
aud particularly by the Richmond
newspapers. Had the vote been
taken Tuesday night, as in all reason
1t should have been-instead of yield
ingopportunity for intrigue-itis safe
to say that not half dozen Demo
Gratis would have stood up for Noel
and his spotted tribe of prosecutors.
AS it was, the Democratic majority
consented to continuance
and that continuance two days. was
occupied with burning the wires"
throughout Virginia appealing to
constituents to press their represen-
tatives into line against Rhea. Many
of the q Democrats who voted with
the Republicans voted against their
better judgment and wishes because
Of this manufactured sentiment.
The only saving feature is that the
concerted and organized action dis
closed the premeditated launching
of Democratic aspirant's guberna-
torial campaign, and not so much a
sympathy with the Republican
movement. Results portrayed the
Republican leader as being so CRATE
full that he promised in his speech to
support Mr.. Stuart, the potent behe-
ficiary of it all, for governor. So
this combined crusade accentuated
by the subsequent attitude of your
press was aimed at Judge Mann,
as true Democrat, and as high o
type of citizenship as Virginia
furnishes. Such positions bring
forcibly up the serious doubt
as to whether a paper in
Richmond is truly Democratic, or
would sail at all under Democratic
colors but for patronage or to gain
the ear of the people of the State.
If Richmond editors, or other edi-
tors, whom I personally know and
respect for their ability, think this
view of the matter drastic
and attacking the integrity
of my fellowman without cause, l |
ask them to look in the recent files
of the Richmond papers and then
say cast the first stone at me. If
still further evidence be needed, lust
turn to their files in some Presiden-
tial canvasses prior to the last one,
and If this does not yet satisfy l am
content to await developments of
this summer.
An outraged public sentiment,
when the pendulum swings back,
will visit upon them the gross wrong
and injustice done men in public
life today, for distorting the imagi-
nation and unfairly influencing pub
lie opinion. Attending the General
Assembly from necessity on official
business, l heard virtually all of the
investigation. The testimony against
Rhea had less foundation than upon
what you would shoot the near neigh
boris yellow dog because some I'm.
known pup mad killed your sheen
the night before-the one because he
was a hard-hitting Democrat, the
other because it was dog. The
verdict of the Richmond press
means this, if it means anything,
that If you are charged by an enemy
with stealing hog, and it be lie,
the mud must stick to you through
life. Verify splendid incentive to
high-minded young men to venture
upon public life in old Virginia
As an editor not affiliated with the
political faction of Judge Crump,