The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-07-14
PEOPLES FORUM
Carysbrook, Va, July s, 1911.


Mr.. Editor,-It appeared in your columns not
very long ago, that you are Offering consider
able prize money. forgot just how much, but
a million or two. to anyone who can discover
from anything that appears in your editorials
what your preference is in the present United
States senatorial fight
dislike exceedingly to disclose your posi-
ton, but the need of your millions is my ex-
cuse FOR doing So and only such sum as you
offer would tempt me to present to the pub
lie solution of the conundrum you have pro-
pounded.
AT one time the writer supposed You to be
on the opposite side of the fence from which
my solution viii now show you to be, and with
me best or feeling towards you undertook to
erticse you for certain things you had to say
in one of your editorials which I regarded as
a contradiction of your declared position of
neutrality.
But since then 1t appears to me there has
neen a change in your editorial heart, due. I
suppose, to change of management or in con-
troll. former articles having been written by
some one now not with you.
Because of exceedingly poor agricultural re-
turns. and prospects, am badly In need of the
millions you are offering.
Indeed l am sure that I have the key to
your lnnermost thoughts on this matter. for
Tear you might miss the next mail out with
a remittance l am tempted to ask you to send
at once certified check for million dol
lars, and the other million will leave in your
f1nnds for disbursement for such good causes
the wiping out of the debt OF the Memorial
hospital and same to be endowed with such
sum as will induce the city fathers to take 1t
over; something for ice missions the need of
which we have been persistenty reminded al
most since the opening of May: very large
sum to aid in securing for the city commits
sion form of government, to be used OF course,
only in a legitimate way; again large sum TO
pension off. under condition of retirement for
ever the ring politicians OF your. city. said sum
to be used in making life comfortable az
possible for them here, as part compensation
for the evils they to suffer in the here
after.
Now Mr.. Editor, Joking aside, IN all serious
ness this is the key: How could a friend OF
Senator Martin, how could friend of Senator
Swanson criticise their State committee as
You have done; how a friend OF theirs criticise
the corrupt conditions they exist in Norfolk
county, when the conditions there have helped
elect and keep elected these two genlemn.
| You should know that those directly responsible
/ for the reprehensible acts of that committee,
and for the corrupt conditions in Norfolk coun-
7 ty and it might well be said in the Second
district have been guided By the master hand
! that has manipulated our county and State
governments for many years.
/ Mr.. Editor. IL you do stand for him, in the
name of all that is good and right, how do you
do it? If you do not stand for him YOU are
against him. do not believe from what you
! have learned In this campaign that you
capable Of standing for him, you who stand for
what is moral and right in other things then
/ If that be true again in the name of all that
| is good and right. why don't you raise your
strong right arm and do battle for the right
II you do not you are Weakening the other
/ causes that you stand for
4 Can we accept Mr.. Martins bold, bald, hrazen,
unainching denial of the charge of having been
a railroad lobbyist supported only by his own
denial. when we are confronted with the pre-
ponderating reliable evidence OF JOSEPH Bryan
and of William l. Royal, corroborated by that
of Mr.. G.. V. Meredith, in his statement OF IL
slush fund raised by the railroads, and as Mr..
w A. Jones recently charges, was In part at
least spent by Mr.. Martin in the furtherance
of his own selection for United States senate.
! once heard say. and that man Is very
foIao To Ny n m taken Lesson
from him for ought know. that he did not
believe In telling lie unless 1t was to do some
body good
i And 1t seems farther that other evidence Is
i to be produced to substantiate Mr.. Jones
charge IL Mr.. Martin accepts Jones challenge,
either to meet him In open debate and deny
it. or to deny It his own signature.
i This has gotten to be question OF
more than party politics: 1t has gotten
TO be question well of pubic morals ana
following it down to Its inality. question Of
morals OF the home and of the individual for
the conclusion is inevitable, that IL we permi
corrnpt men to govern US. who shape up COM
mitteas for withdrawing Of criminals. who con-
niee at and assist In getting into public office
criminals saw done once IN my own state
senatorial district some years ago, because that
criminal had been useful in support of certain
Of our leading office holders, then il will be
felt eventually IN very homes.
AS for Mr. Martins recent conversion to
non fusionisrn: ut Is mere subterfuge." quot
I1fng hfs own words once used with reference
{ to Hon ST. George Tucker: 1t Is an apparent
tumbng to public demand he Is quick at
reading handwriting the wall and shapes
his course accordingly. If he has struck blow
at fus,onism fusonfsm will not forget his
treason and will strike a blow at him IN Sep
ternbar BY hook or by crook. but In Norfolk
county you will see Mr.. Martin win Fusionlsn
: understands Mr.. Martin,
c. e. JONES