The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-09-01
Voice Of the People
MIR. Aliens Attacks.

MIR. Aliens Attacks
To the Editor of The Timos- Dispatob.
Sir-f it be incumbent upon a pub
lie Official not to speculate In the stock
or corporation the administration of
be affected by his votes or actions. as
public official, then you thereby nee
ossarily draw the summary conclusion
that no one serving in a public capa-
city should have u private interest in
u corporation IL any of the affairs of
that corporation are likely to come
within the purview of his duties. unless
those whom he serves are advised of
MS private transactions.
That Is very good. 1t might be still
better, II lived UP to.
Theories are beautiful things: let's
begin to practice What We preach
Take The Times Dispatch: When 1t
writes an editorial in the defense of
one. entreating. the public to be just
10 them (Which the public should sure
~ be-. has The Times Dispatch. at
the ownership of Tho Times Dispatch
was largely Interested in the stock Of
some railroads?
patch should have put the public on
notice. Are you not serving in u pub
lie capacity when you write editorials
addressed to the public at large. try
Ntepins with the opinions you therein
express? You arc asking the people
to vote and talk as you advocate just
as much as does tho candidate for
, oilice or the oniccholder. ask the peo-
pic to vote for him or uphold him In
his official actions.
Why one standard for The Times
Dispatch. receiving It's support from
the public. yet Interested in railroad
stocks, and writing editorials in de-
Tense OF the railroads?
Why another standard for Claude a.
swanson. receiving a salary as a pub
nc nc Official. yet Interested in American
writes nor votes FOR the tobacco COM
pany's interest, but votes AS tho Dem
ocratic party has declared shall be- it's
policy toward corporations?
Or am l misinformed that The
Times Dispatch has boen. and was. at
the time the said editorials appeared.
very largely, Interested in railroad
stocks. and therefore very largely In
tcrested in the dividends those stocks
PAID? Has not The Times Dispatch
argued against the increase OF taxa
not said it would be unfair to tho
stockholders?
Have not many editorials. along
the railroads. gone out among tho
readers OF The Times Dispatch. Just as
IImiough the ownership OF Tho Times
dispatch had no, interest In the sub
ject matter. just rs though It was pur-
suing a broad minded policy, merely
making an appeal in the interest OF
fair play for ali-railroads and peo-
pie alike?
You were seeking to build up pup-
| lie sentiment by your writings, got
you did not put the public on notice.
Now YOU would condemn Mir. swan
son for not putting the public on no.
! lice, and giving it an opportunity TO
pass upon his act in relation 10 his
condemn him Tor tho act for his
lud6ment as 10 the morality. the right
or the wrong. of the act may be just
as good al yourn.
You can only condemn him for not
submitting the eXpediency or mis- act
to the public and let them pass upon
lie duty
Now when you condemn him for that
you condemn yourself. for am not
aware that IN your editorials you
stated that the ownership Of The
Times Dispatch was interested In
having the railroads pay no larger
You. or some one. might reply. two
wrongs do not make right, That IL
turned its back upon, ana viii never
again. submit to. the preacher VINO
hasn't the strength OF character 10 live
up to what he breaches.
Perhaps. better reply would be
that The Times Dispatch was In no
way influenced In writing those edl-
torlais because OF any interest. sup
posed or real, that IL had in railroad
stocks or bonds Your readers would
accept that as true statement For
one. do not believe you were prompt
cd by motives OF self gain. even grant
ing there was any gain in 1t for YOU
] believe the very fact you were inter
estcd In railroad Btocks shows you
had made somewhat, at least of a
study OF the subject. and were there
| fore in "A position to present the facts
OF railroad taxation, and railroad COM
pensation for traffic and passengers. to
the public in an intelligent way Ger
tainly you would desire to have the
public believe you We're not using your
public position as editor of q large pa
pocket.
II then YOU want the public to be
!icve that about you and your motives.
why can't you be tair enough to want
the public to believe that Mr.. swan
son wouldn't use his public position
Tor private gain?
You should not forget that Mr..
Swanson is man OF Just as high
! honor, and commanding character. a.
+. any man who is now, or ever was.
You should not forget tina, Mr.. swan.
son mas been most signally honorsd
Dy the people OF Virginia. and he has
borne those honors well. and has
You would condemn him. Point to a
vote OF his during his long career that
VIII sustain you IN your condcmnatio
You should not forget that Mr.
Swansons success has been due to the
estimate of the people who have
watched MIN and studied him. and
tGat me Times -Dispatch never praised
great.
You should never forget that when
he was no longer in need OF your
him and his administration as a Gov,
trnor OF Virginia you dropped in with
your litile need of belated praise, ana
The people of Virginia will not for
get that when a personal enemy Of
MS. a man who admits that he is OPP