The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-14
BY J. c. HEMPHILL.

Especial to The Times-Dispatch1
Natural Bridge. Va, July 13.-After
long and earnest debate to-day the
resolutions printed in The Times-Dis
paten this morning affecting the in
tegrity of the Virginia newspapers
were adopted in the following amend.
ed form:
"Whereas, there is now a propaganda
In Virginia, the purpose of which
tends TO destroy the confidence OF the
people I'm the integrity OF the prcss OF
the State; and
whereas, from time to time there
have appeared charges of corruntiou
and servility nSainst the press of vir-
Einia, more recently that of IL certain
professor of the University of Chicago,
who has I'm public address proclaimed
that the editors of this State coustt-
tute purchnsablc and reptile press;
he 1T
"Rcsolved, Tint the sclf-respect of
thiS association demands that these
charges be declared fnIse, sianderoua
md inspired by evil and malicious mo-
tircs, md We hereby declare that 1t In
our belief TINT the press of Virginia liz
ms pure and unpurrhasabIe to-day. and
ns much in Keeping with the tradi-
lions OF this Commonwealth as Mt my
time In it's history; and we hereby de.
mand that these general charges be-
supported by specific accusations and
proof; and we hereby publicly rebuke
these iibelers who are endenvorinE to
tnrnish the honor of the whole pro-
fession of journalism in Virginia"
Makes Impassioned Speech.
When the resolutions, as originally
oHered by the committee on rules and
resolutions, were reported to the asso-
citation. Immediately Walter E Add
son. editor of the Lynchburg News, OBJ
al
impassioned speech. in which he ex-
pressed regret that such paper had
been introduced for the consideration
OF the association, and insisted that IL
was not properly within the jurisdic-
ton OF that hody
Il :,.aintain." he declared. that It
involves political considerations. and
is directly related to the present SEN
atorial campaign"
To sustain his charges, MI Addison
cited the first clause of the preamble
reading:
Whereas, there has of late been
Instituted in Virginia a propaganda
which has for its object the destruction
of the good name of Virginia by the
imputation that a general dishonesty
prevails among its public men. and the
government OF this State as !nefficient
and corrupt"
What is this" asked Mr.. Addison,
but politics? What is it but an ef-
fort to rebuke certain candidates for
the United States senatorial nomina-
ton. Every well informed, man in
Virginia knows that the inefticiency Of
the administration of the State afrairs
is one OF the chief issues o the cam
paign, and by the adoption OF the
resolution every we'll informed Vir-
ginian well knows that the Virginia
Press Association leaving its legiti-
mate sphere OF activity, wheels itself
as an organized body In line with a
certain political faction OF the State
Spirit of Resolutions.
Mr. Addison argued that this first
preamble clause interpreted the spirit
OF the resolutions. and showed that
they We're saturated with factional
political purposes. He analysed the
remaining parts OF the resolutions,
arguing that they were untimely. M
advised, and calculated to seriously
impair the usefulness OF the Press AS
ISOLATION in the future.
In reply to Mr.. Addison. Hon. Rich
ard Evelyn Byrd. who had prepared
tho declaration and resolutions at the
request OF the committee, made whas
was described by the only Republican
member OF the association as a clear
inc!sive statement OF the cause OF
grievance entertained by the assncIa-
tion. IL Will preface nay remarh an