The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-08-13
PEOPLES FORUM
Befter PoIi1icaI Times Aheal

Editor of The Nrginian:
sir think may all congratu ldte our
I selves heartily in confident feeling that there
are better times ahead in the political ieId
and fof the moral up-lift of our great country.
Fubhc sentiment, coupled with the noble fight
made BY the Hon. Luke Lea tthe young sena~
tor from Tennessee whom we all in the South
iand ana elsewhere may justly feel proud of,
and the Hon. John w. Kern. of Indiana. caused
the expulsion of VIM. Lorimer from the Sen
ate, because Of ms election by bribery anu
corruption. The whole country should rejoice
in such victories for the right and for truth.
if more of our prominent representatives were
of the stamp OF VIM. J. Bryan, luke Lea. Hon.
Jno. w Kern, Robert La Toilette, and others
might mention who are ready at all times
% night for the right. the time would not De
far distant when we would have clean house
and the rights of the people would be respected,
instead Of being subject to boss rule and the
selfish ends of the machine politician.
l wish to express my regret that Hon. R F..
Byrd should have announced his intention OF
retiring from politics and sincerely hope he
may yet reconsider his decision and not give
up lust at time wIen we have reason to hope
for better and higher things In our body polite.
Mr. Byrd has rendered Halu2 bic service to his
State in the political field and made noble
fight IN the legislature for the passage Of some
splendid laws, which. had the Senate not buried
them. would have done much in helping us
to raise the moral standards OF our peopie.
1t is a source o. great humiliation to us when
realize that Senate killed such splendid
bills as those against gambling, for purifying
elections. protection of child labor and others
that might be mentioned, that were sent over
to 1t from the House We always in need
Of in our nails of legislation. and in the
forefront HgntSf VINO nave SutH iflSn aims
and purposes Mr.. Byrd. Ex-Governor Mon
tague and others we might mention. 1t means
Oh! so nurh the masses, who really are the
people who need protection.
We should all honor, stand by and hght Tor
such being put IN office ana kept there as
long they are willing 10 make the Sacr4-
fees necessary 70 mold Office.
Bryans noble fight in Baltimore against the
interests ANA corrupt politicians was surety an
eye opener" Is TO the rotten conditions In our
national politics. ! love and honor such men.
who WI sSereise the necessary courage and
are willing to take the abuse that comes IN
them from corrupt in a fight for the
truth. right. and for the common people. They
are not appreciated half So much as they should
be The days Of the machine and political
bosses are numbered. they fled To the tall
timber under Brvan's FIRE in Baltimore.
We need in oar public life who love
the people and will serve them Instead of
their selfish ends and who viii act on
thea idea that ITO the victor belong the spoils
God grant that the time NAV soon come when
we may be able ~ relegate 70 the rear all
corrupt men in public life and to fiji their
places with those who have only the interests
OF people NJ heart.
Whatever our vocation may be. We should
Sesotge that will not StranEle all tina; is
nnest and nobest in us for the sake " the
dollar or fame but that wa viii put beauty.
honor and truth above every worldly amhl-
tion. L. s BARBOUR
South Boston VA. July 10, lgl2