Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-11-04
UNFAIR TO THE STATES
NEWSPAPERS.

This editorial statement from the
Roanoke Evening World is not, we
believe, In accord with the facts:
There are few independent papers
In Virginia with courage to express
their convictfons-the Evening Woris
is one-but the majority OF the lead
ing papers are politically subsidized.
Occasionally one OF these papers will
come dangerously near trespassing.
and promptly the word Is passed up.
cut Il out!' These same influential
journals will take up some side Issue
and make a great TODD over IT, In an
effort TO impress the public with the
idea that they are the peoples cham
pIon. But the people are not fooled.
They smile at the stage play and.
generally speaking, can tell you exact
ly the combination OF the wheels.
How about the Norfolk Virginian-
Pilot, the Norfolk Landmark and the
Richmond Evening Journal? Thes e
are not the only Independent newspa-
pers in Virginia with the courage to
express their convictions, but they are
prominent papers, and the three OF
them may be said to constitute almost
a majority of the larger Virginia daily
journals that can be described as
leading" II these papers do not ac-
tually express their convictions. par
ticularly In regard to present political
conditions In the State, We have ut
terly failed to comprehend their atti-
tude If the custom of passing up
the word, "Cut It out!" prevails in
the offices of The Landmark. The Vir-
ginian-Pilct and The Journal, the per-
son or persons entrusted. with the
duty Of deciding when the editorial
writer's ''trespass" and empowered to
pass the word have been woefully neg
ligent at times
As stated before, the three papers
mentioned are not the only papers in
the State with courage to express
their convictions. They are mention
ed merely because they are prominent
examples. belonging as they do TO a
class in which only six or eight pub
locations In the State can be listed.
The Daily Press, while not attempt
ing. as yet to pose as leading
State paper, knows that it possess es
the distinction The Evening World
claims for itself and denies to the ma
jority of the leading papers. This paper
has expressed Its convictions always,
and its dies will show that it has seldom
II ever overlooked an opportunity to
strike q blow against machine rule.
The World has done the papers of
the State q gross injustice While
there may be some politically subsi-
died" Il is unfair. to say the least,
to put a majority of the leading pa
pers In such class.
in a fippsnt editorial purporting to
be an answer to the Roanoke papers
article. the Richmond Times-Dispatch
attempts to coafuse the public. mind
by suggesting that the growing spiEi;
OF rebellion against the intoierable
political conditions now existing In
yireiais Is merely a case OF the ~outt "
against the '-ins." That, OF course, Is
tie burden Of the song sung by the
professionals who manipulate thing
pelitjcsr IN tho State. The song has
helped co. ~in campaign after cam
psisn, and no doubt II stil has ~
vzlus But thousands and thousands
Of people know hat this is not hghi
20 the ~sutS- against the ms I'd
be sure there sre men now denounc
ing the ring" Who would be delighted
to- Dc a part Of a ring" and partiei
pate IN a. rings pie-cuttlng- Blu
these men win no; and cannot over
throw ne political powers IN "a
STATE. n the professionals who con
.roi virginia politically and use tbe'
power Tor their own purposes. wit
Incidental attention given to the mat
ter Of furnishing Virginia with {
government ever h broken n wil
be because the people, With their eye
opened to the facts. a. last take int
their Own hzads hat which belong
20 thea