The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-07-10
CORN STALK HORSE CRpsAprSG.

CORN STALK HORSE CRUSADrSG
Essays and poems have been written on the
pleasures of imagination. By use Of imagl-
nation we create for ourselves new. separate
and beautiful worlds and lives From the time
we are children strutting in paper caps and ca.
reering about on stick horses and corn stalks and
performing deeds Of heroism and vaIor and gal.
lantry. most of lis like to think of ourselves
as doing stupendous service and achieving great
results for the country and public ard having
our names writ high On the rolls OF fame and
In the list Of the immortals
Our neighbor the Ttmes-Dispdtch particularly
enjoys itself rs saint, pure and fearless
leader OF the populace of Virginia. warrior
doing stupendous execution against the hosts
OF sn-consisting OF hundred officials In
the State who are paid by fees~-a pale martyr
In sheet Of fire. There Is no special objection
to the Times-Dispatch pleasing itself by posing
In front Of its own camera and presenting TO It.
self, with gratifed bow. its own photograph In
any OF these characters but 1t is just as well
to consider the facts.
Several weeks ago our neighbor published
editorally, series of direct and damaging
accusations against members of the Virginia
general assembly. Its language was rather VIC
lent 1t spoke Of contemplate lobbyists practl.
cai1y controlling the action of our legislators
OF a "plunderbund." which we take to mean
an association or combination of thieves and
robbers battening on booty stolen from the pub
nc This 'plunderbund" was said to direct
the policies and actions or the senate and house
OF delegates of Virginia
The Richmond Tirgintdn. at the time, called
on the Times Dispatch to name the members Of
the assembly 1t intended to accuse and indict
Assuming that there were some honest and hon.
orable men In our two houses, we were anxious
70 know who they were. to separate the innocent
sheep from the vilIainous goats. who were the
agents and slaves OF the clerks of court. sherifs
commissioners of revenue. town sergeauts and
treasurers Also. with natural curiosity and
desire TO do substantial good for the public
we wanted to know. and enquired. about the hor-
rible lobbyists who were corrupting and con-
trolling our general assembly.
No answer in the way Of specifications names
times. places or circumstances was given The
Tfmes-Dtspdtch, intent as Don Quixote on his
windmill and flock of sheep. fervid in its beliefs
Is Milton in his conceptions OF the war between
Lucifer and Heaven. continued Its printed and
published allegations against the characters OF
all the men recently serving in the general
assembly.
Violence provokes violence inevitably. It
happens that Mr. w. A. Land. of the respecta-
BILE and important town OF Blackstone not only
is member Of the Virginia house of delegates.
but IS a newspaper editor with access, to the
public and the ability to ask questions say things
and hit back when he thinks he has been treated
badly accused improperly. AS a gentleman
OF Virginia and responsible member OF the
house, he demanded OF the Times-Dispatch that
1t specify and name. Presumably, he desired
to be cleared. seeing that all the members OF the
body to which he beloagad-a- bod -lene and
generally regarded In Virginia as Of decent and
Reputable men-were arraigned as slaves OF the
-plunderbund.' He got reply. explanation
or courtesy. Thereupon. being practical man,
with regard for his own character and the
character of his colleagues, he broke forth. He
attacked specifically the Timcs-Disp0fch and its
owners and editors and accused them OF doing
some lobbying of the worst kind IN their own
interests
We submit that Mr.. Land was within his
rights AS a member OF the general assembly
be had been attacked and accused grossly and
cutrageously in public newspaper. His de-
mand for exemption from the general indictment
or specification of his ofense was ignored In
these conditions he was fully and clearly justi.
fled in searching into the characters and mo-
dives Of his accusers. as any man is allowed