The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-03-14
4 PERSONAL WORD.


with men and II is only In respect to their rela-
tjon to principles and measures that # cares to
a,sruss men and personal affairs Recent out
bursts IN the general assembly showing venom
ans hitter resentment, and recent publications In
Richmond papers, which were unwarranted and
unjust. make II desirable TO get certain facts
straight In the public mind. With the facts
nj, the facts and only the facts-betore the people
sre are satisfied 10 leave to tho Just judgment OF
The pabnc.any matter in which The V'rointan is
INTERESTED.
Within the last week or ten days there have
been two more or less direct efforts made in
The house and one In the senate to have Rev
Or james Cannon, an accredited representative
Of Thc Tiyoin9on, denied the privileges of the
foor to which representatives OF tho press are
entitled Publications have been made IN con-
nection with these attempts which were dis
creditable to reputable newspapers. DR.. Cannon
has been delegated by the editor and general
manager OF TINS paper TO assist in editorial and
ether work In connection with the session Of
Tie legislature He has enjoyed the privileges
Of the floor throughout the session just as the
representatives, Of the other papers have and
there has not been word Of complaint that he
justly be any complaint. for he has not abused
the privileges.
Then why these attacks upon DIR. Cannon on
the aoor OF the house and senator And why
these unwarranted and misleading reports in the
other city papers7 The answer may be found In
the simple statement that such attacks have
come from few men who violently opposed
reform measures FOR which both DR. Cannon and
qhe FRotaian stood and in some cases at least
from men whose position was criticised in The
lirgintaa Neither DIR. Cannon nor The vir
gsHian is surprised at the attitude of the wet
Richmond papers.
The Ttroinian selects those whom It wishes to
write Tor Its columns. Il has convictions on
questions affecting the welfare OF the people OF
the State whch it does not hesitate to express
II has views about the legislature and the work
nf It's members which It considers itself under
obligations 10 the public to give expression to-
And consider this we'll within our rights
The fact that hese views or the man who writes
them. differ from the views Of members OF the
senate or house has nothing TO do with the
rights Of our representative. be he editor or re.
porter. The floor OF either branch of the gen
view the matter in any other light would be TO
abridge the liberty of the press, the need Of
which Was never more manifest than now
Publications made in the Afternoon papers yes,
terday, especially the afternoon Bryan organ.
would give rise to the belief that the privilege
of Or, Cannon, The TirGiHianS representative
had been Withdrawn and that he had been thrice
denied admission TO the hall Of the house The
correspondence printed below shows how much
foundation there was for these publications:
TIE RICHMOND vIRGlNIAN
Richmond, Va, March 10, 1914.
Hon, Edwin P. Cox, Speaker
Virginia House Of Delegates
htNHHtHIt Va
Dear Mr., Cox:
Publications in the carly editions of the after
noon papers OF today would indicate that some
step has been taken to restrict the privileges of
the representatives Of the press on the floor of
The house Of delegates. Ne have one of our re.
gor,ers regularly at the reporters table in the
hefsae, and besides, Rev. Dr James Cannon and I
are accredited representatives OF The Tiroinian
aud have been engaged in both editorial and news
xorE. in my experience of more than thirty
years az active connection with newspaper work
In the general assembly have never known
authorized Representatives OF any Richmond
papcr denied the privileges Of the floor ] write
aow TO know whether there has been any re-
strietion OF the privileges which representatives
n Of Tbs FlrGiaiaa like those OF the other papers
hAys eDIoged. and Il 80 10 What extent and for
RI