The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-03-03

ginian reduced Its price from two
cents to one cent. and which on Tues
day. March 1, ingenuousiy remarked;
To-day the News Leader goes on a
one-cent basis. The business condi-
lions that caused the original change
TO two cents no longer obtain. hence
the return to the price for which
the paper always sold.
The feet. therefore, se-be reeeg-
nized at the very beginning of this
discussion 10 that The Times Dispatch
was not "Discharging a Public Duty
when It attacked The Virginian. but
its editorial was written for the sole
purpose of endeavoring to damage
The virginian. in order that 1t might
protect Its own cash drawer.
What has been written above is
sufficient to show the motive under
lying the attack of The Times-Dis-
patch. and to Justify the statement
that The Times Dispatch has branded
Itself with the iron IL prepared for The
virginian. It's own hypocrisy has
been clearly and Enthusiastically re-
vealsd, and this editorial might END
here. without another word. and the
people be left TO decide which is the
hypocrite, The Virginian or the Times
Dispatch.
The virginian was established be-
cause II is believed by many persons
that there Is need for such a paper.
1t believes that It has serious mis-
sion and a rightfui place In the news
paper meEld of -NaFsiHia=-H f. does not
propose TO be diverted from the pur-
pose for which 1t was established by
ridicuie or abuse or threats, or by
all combined. It does not propose
to take UP time and space in a war
of epithets in replying to this attack
made upon 1t by The Dispatch.
Epithets are proof of nothing ex.
cept OF the character of the persons
who coin them and use them. and
The virginian will not contest the
title OF the Supreme" in that respect
But a statement Of facts 10 given be-
low, for the benefit of those who may
wish to read them. and II there be
those who are not interested, they
may pass them by.
STATEMENT OF FACTS.
/. There has never been any con.
ceaiment OF the facts in connection
with the establishment of The Rich.
mond yirginian. There has been con,
siderable dissatisfaction In the State
at large, ever since the Times and ths
Dispatch were consolidated. But thu.
twelve or eighteen months developed
into contempt and disgust upon the
part of very large number OF people
both in the city and in the State. The
Times Dispatch arrogated to itself the
title of the Supreme In Virginia" and
having practically no competition.
as paper from the Capital city. cir.
culating throughout the State at large
individuals and the general public
have been very IargelyI at It's mercy
specially offensive 10 many people
Of the State. 1t has allowed scan
dalous attacks to be made upon in
dividuals in Its columns and has de-
clined to give fair hearing TO those
who have been siandered. 1t has
selected as the special subject for its
ISLANDERS the temperance workers. Of
Virginia and has allowed its news
columns to carry on this warfare. This
charge Is not that 1t has not stood
for prohibition. but that II has been
shamefully and shamelessly unfair &c
the men and women engaged In the
temperance work, who do not believe
with the Times-Dispatch that a man
has right ito drink liquor to his
comfort"
When the people slnndered have
protested. 1t has ignored the protest
and has with arrogance declined to
allow any correction or any defence
to be made. And 1t has virtually de-
about It? We are the only paper In
Richmond that eirculates in the State
at large TO any great extent. and we
do just as we please. Whom we will.
we Will KILL and whom we will, we
will make alive"
This spirit OF arrogance and con-
tempt for the rights Of others reached
climax In May. 1909. On May 2s
the Tines Dispatch published an
article. written by one of Its staff.
concerning the local option cleo
ton in Petersburg. which was de-
clared by one of the leading
preachers of the city of Petersburg
from his pulpit to have been the
worst. the vilest and the most con-
temptible vilifcation that was ever
given expression to In any newspaper
in Virginia that has ever come to my
attention" On May 81 the Times
Dispatch published an account OF a
sermon delivered by Rev. j. d. Nc
Aiister In Grove Avenue Baptist
church which was a sensational
SANDER Of so gross nature that the
very same day nine OF the most proml-
nent members OF that church and the
pastor wrote out a statement denying