The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-09-13
THE SILENCE OF PARSONS.

One of our contemporaries, the
Tenry Bulletin we believe, is anxious
that the Hon John Mae Parsons. Re.
publican candidate for Congress in the
Fifth District. should make some
speeches and further reveal his plans
to provide individual penitentiaries
and scanolds for those who see fit to
support him and afterward indulge
in crime. The Great Handshaker and
Back-Patter has been very silent in
this campaign, and there is no sign
that he will open his lips
The fact OF the matter is. Mr.. Par
sons has very little to talk about that
can be uttered from the hastings. The
only argument which he can concoct
is that he was deprived of a sent in
Congress; and he is afraid to do more
than whisper this around for he knows
that some Democrat in The assemblage
is likely to pull out the facts in the
case and nail him on the spot. The
people in the Fifth who have investi.
gated the contested election in Con-
gress between Saunders and Parsons
know that the committee having the
matter in charge were afraid to bring
report into Congress favoring Par
sons. for they knew that the law and
preeedents We're solials against the
contentious of ParsQns,>. =
Then. too the Hon. Mr.. Parsons
wishes TO "gum-shoe" around on the
question of cannonism; for Parsons
and slemp are political twin brothers.
both committed TO the support of the
Speaker and the pernicious doctrines
for which he stands Cannonism is
the issue that is sounding the knen
of many a Cannon Congressman, and
Parsons is "afeared" to say anything
about Cannon. The Cannon wing OF
the Republican party is supplying
some campaign funds to Parsons we
are told. and vet he has not as much
courage as the ordinary feeder from
the hand of the machine who cries,
Whose bread / eat, his song I sing"
A third reason for The sepulchral
silence OF the Great Pawhandler is
that he has no record to talk about.
He has done nothing and he Knows ii.
He was a member of tie Senate in the
last General Assembly, but he was in
6 Washington so much that he did noth.
4 Ing for his people. He introduced a
great many hills-al appealing to
prejudice and all well suited for cam.
paign hot a.r-but that he did any
real work is proposition that is
absurd.
On the other hand. he is keenly
aware of the splendid record of Rem
resentative Saunders For many years
Mr. Saunders has been an able and
efficient public servant, always adorn.
ing whatever position he fiIled always
bringing 10 his public task the utmost
patriotism. fairness and statesmanship.
e His record In The General Assembly
was fine: his record in Congress has
been second TO none Representative
Saunders Is vet young in the National
House, but he is already a real leader
man whose record Is proudly pointed
TO hy yirginians.
We have no doubt that in Tire peace
fnl shades of Grayson, the Hon, John
Mae Parsons thought over all these
II things, while he was devising Improved
methods in handshaking and back.
patting. He is the sort who can Fl!d,
around in the crowd and get nest t,
/ the boys but as for 'ne stump, no, 90
for the Hon John Mae prefers the prl
4, yate conference in subdued tones wher
@promises can be made and all sorts Q
positions be taken. He does not cour