The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-10-04


quCf interests and for virtue and
Righteousness. II this n doubted. re-.
member the men who went down to
defeat on this platform. don't mean
10 say that good men have never
beer elected. and men opposed to H.
quor; but they would not make this
feature In their platform. You ask,
Why? Are there not as many good
people in Richmond as in other cities?
Yes but the friends OF the liquor traf-
flc and its ally. the rcd-light district,
are registered and can vote. and G,ou-
sands OF church members have not
paid their politax and cannot vote. II
i mistake not, the records will show
that there are ten to twelve thousand
white men who have not paid their
polltax and are DISTINGUISHED. The
forces Of evil see to it that their friends
and allies are kept ready to vote at
all times, while many people in the
church have no voice whatever in the
government of the city. One who will
no. pay his polltax and vote has no
right to complain of any corruption in
officials.
FruttMge Of Bad Planting.
THE disgraceful scene which has been
opened to the public is but the FRUIT
age of this bad planting. Richmond
may well hang her head in shame when
u
that law is inforced are themselves
lawless and conntve at the violation
of law. But these men are the SER
WANTS of the people, and are in posi-
ton because the people put them there.
or put the men of like mind there who
put these In ONCE.
The symptom of the bad conditions
have become more aggravated, Men
who seem to be lost to self-respect and
ha nrn dx- dnfu
wholesome public opinion. Shall the
people Of Richmond rest satisfied with
such servants? Can they look upon
ofhcials randed with lniquity and keep
them In once? And worse STILL shall
men who dare to tell the truth when
summoned to do so. men faithful and
efiicient in their work. be turned out
OF ONCE and deprived of their bread
because they were courageous enough
to tell the truth even when this truth
exposed to wickedness of the officials?
What 10 the inference to be drawn? It
is to every police oficer that II he
dare to tell the truth upon matters
affecting his superior in ONCE he must
pay for 1t with the surrender Of his
position and his daily bread. This
10 In Richmond. the capital Of Old vir-
ginia, VIII the people not wake up
and demand Of their servants that such
unworthy ohicials be summari,y dealt
within
Want Right Men in Once.
We TAX Of charter changes, and
am In favor of those changes, but
they are minor matters: the great
Fundamental fact IL that good people
must prepare themselves to vote and
put in once men who with faithfully
and in the fear Of God discharge their
duty. II II entirely possible for bad
electorate to put In office men who will
abuse perfect charter"
DR.. Christian urged that this dis
grace which had been brought upon
the city by certain members of the
Board OF oPlice mmissioners be the
symptoms OF condition that should
stir the city Of Richmond until
definite and permanent moral reform
should he established, which would
make it impossible for men OF like
character ever to occupy official po-
sition This was especially necessary
for the proper enforcement of the
prohibition laws which will be in ef-
feet November /. 1915, and laws
against vice.
The minister closed with an earnest
appeal for the making OF good pub
lib opinion for law enforcement by
mass meetings and by individuals.