The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-02-14
EDITORIAL
The Times Dispatch, The Vireinian and Mr.
Yoder.

In another column on this page We reproduce an
editorial article from the Iimes-Dispatch OF SUNDAY
rr-printed in black type in the llmes-Dspatch Oh
Monday. Our contemporary entities it he New
Standard in Newspaper Ethics" 1t certainly could
mi have given il better title. The lmes-Dispatch
has bsen arrogant and rather boorish IN ITS manners
toward The Nirginian. We had been lnclineo 10
ignore it. but this exhibition sets such new standard
In newspaper ethics that The Nirgihian heteoy
lenders its word of sympathy the South Carolina
rentlernan who takes editorial charge OF the lines
DISPATCH tomorrow; that such standard has oeeh
erected two DAYS before his arrival Ii Will require
all his courtesy and ability to explain the foiy OF
this utterance.
The Times Dispatch makes an attack upon / ne
Virginian because OF letter written by M a.
Barbour, citizen of South Boston, to Mr. A; a;
Yocer editor of the Idea now on trial Tor criminal
libel in the city of Richmond. This letter was
written by Mr.. Barbour as private citizen ana was
his own individual act, for which he and ne aione
is responsible responsibility however which ne Is
doubtless willing to bear. Mr.. Barbour Is VICE
president director and one OF the forty or my
stockholders in the Nirgnian Company, and WINE
he has shown a deep interest in the paper, yet ne
is not as the Dispatch intimates, one oil the
chief owners or the chief owner, of The Richmond
Nirpinian Nor does he direct or control the poiicy
ri the naDer or attempt to do He has never
mentioned the matter of the Yodcr trial, or ms
letter TO MIR Yoder to the editor OF this paper Mr.
Barbour is a gentleman of high standing and char
acter and is abundantly able TO defend himseli
from the personal attacks of the Times Dispatch
But bv the new standard of newspaper ethics
announced hv the Times Dispatch newspaper IS
to be Judged by the personality or the conduct OF
any individual who may chance TO own shares OF
its stock or holds position on its stall
The Richmond Virginian is to be judged by the
personal acts of Mr.. Barbour in his individual ca
nacity. because forsooth, he is the vice-president
y director. and stakeholder in The Nirginan Go, On
the same principle exactly, The TimesD spatch must
be Judged today by the personal acts OF the prescn
or managing editor OF the limesDispatch, VINO Is
responsible for the new standard OF newspaper
cth;cs II must be Judged tomorrow by the personal
acts Of MIR Hempbll, the editor, who will
doubtless receive with amazement the statement
that the ethical standard OF the Times Dispatch IL
to be Judged by his own personal conduct,
The Virginian will not agree however that any
newspaper is to be judged by the personal acts OF
any one connected with the paper whether as owner
editor. manager or reporter. The position OF th'
e Times Dispatch would change all newspaper dis
cussions from a discussion OF topics and principle
to discussion OF the personal conduct and char
acter Of the individuals working on the newspapers
which would soon and very properly disgust al
right thinking readers.
And now having shown the pettiness and folly o
this attack on The Nirginan by the Times Dispatch
The Vrgnian wilt state its position as TO Mr ODER
so far as is proper in view OF the TACT that MS Cast
is still on trial in the courts The NirgInlan ma
not thought proper discuss the case very 1ull,
n until all evidence had been introduced IT has hee
our endeavor to give fair report OF the trial with
out prejudice to either side, On February T.
card was printed in The Nrgnian, signed by Nh
loder, declaring that the 1imes-Dispatch ha
grossly misrepresented his testimony, and that h
intended to sue them for libel. This card was sen
by Mr. Yoder to The Nirginan, and was not
statement made at the request OF any one connecte
y with the paper. On the next day, the lines-o is
patch on the front page publicly confessed It's TAU
in the following language