The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-05-10
Major DOGGY Taken 10 Task by a Man
Qupstgrtan

Manchester Va. May Q. 1895.
TO the Editor Of The Times.
Sir,-I read your report Of the discus
sion I'm the Chamber Of Commerce on tho
evening Of the eth. on annexation, and
was greatly surprised TO see the unfair
and uncalled for statements made by
Major j. H. Dooley in reference TO our
city. In his hot haste to strangle the pro-
position az the beginning he has misrepre-
scented facts. In his illustration of the
sick and poor farmer he makes II
appear that our city sought out Rich
mond on the subject when the records
show that Richmond introduced the sub
jet 10 US. Then the Major does not deal
fairly with our financial position. as the
letter from our city Treasurer I'm your
issue OF to-day clearly proves, but the
Major might be forgiven for those Of
fences, as IL is so apparent TO every one.
the motive that impels him TO resist
the move with all OF his energy and
ability for he is playing for big stakes.
Although ! insist IL was not fair
means he employed, he, In his intense
zeal, oYerstepped all bound NJ nrOpTicty
and legitimate argument. when he speaks
so disrespectfully OF our community.
characterizing us by inference "paupers.
beggars and a community where the
criminal class predominates"
If all OF the Majors statements are as
wild and sensational on all other sub
jects. and as misleading as he is on this,
/ hope. for Richmonds sake. he will seek
some other councillor. and one who re-
sides within her borders The records
show that there are fewer crimes COM
mitted here than any other place In the
State. or i'm the Union. similarly situated
as Manchester is. being only separated
from a city OF 5000 by a river spannod by
five bridges, where the evil doors Of the
larger city can easily come among us.
also make the assertion that there is no
place. where sWiffer and surer Justice is
meted out to offenders against the law
than here, and that is one reason that
the law-breakers Of our sister city con-
fine their operations TO the north side
OF the James. II I were disposed 10
fins. mud and follow the example set by
the Major / could easily refer TO some
strange verdicts rendered ina the city he so
eloQuently defends and i'm the county
where he resides. but that is not my
purpose. l simply wish to say that we
resent the insults offered our community
and let the world know that we have been
slandered, and j feel sure If my knowl-
edge Of the gentlemen composing the
Chamber of Commerce is correct. they
do not endorse the sentiments expressed
by the Major. and II the matter had TO
be done over again. ] think the Major
would not take part in the discussion
He as good as tells us that We are Rich
mOnds servile slave. and compelled 10
deal with her II We for a moment
thought that was the sentiment Of the
business men of Richmond self-respect
and pride would make as deal elsewhere
Representative men from all the large
cities Of the Union visit our merchants
nd a. d. D uaf
ting all the goods NE needed. Perhaps
the Major has forgotten that the block
ade has been raised and that there
are many transportation lines ready to
deliver freight ~ our depots our people
have been for generations closely allied
10 the people of Richmond by so many
strong ties Of affinity, consanquinity,
and mutual interest of all kinds. that
Is the reason Manchester has poured
freely i'm the lap Of Richmond our hard
earnings. and not that we are the slave
ana bondman Of Big Richmond. as the
Major would have the world believe The
business men OF Richmond understand
this, and ! have no doubt when next
they come together. they Will be- care
ful TO select exclusively business men
who are In touch and sympathy with
their neighbors who viii be conservative
in speech. and accurate in statements
Mr.. Editor IN conc luSlout / VIII say
that II is true we are poor. and have
no rich capitalists and retired men In our
midst. but we. like every other COM
munity. have felt severely the pinch OF
hard times. many or our truest and best
men have been thrown out Of work. and
been In enforced idleness. for no fault
Of theirs. and 10 comes with ill-grace
from those who have fallen and
grown sick 10 publish 70 the world by
inference. that we are "beggars. pau
pers. and live where the criminal class
predominates. I hope the Major will
have many days spared unto him and
have ample time 10 reflect upon the
enormity OF his gratuitOIs insult which
he has hoeped upon us. may he enjoy the
blessing OF his palatial suburban resi-
dence. and that his olfactories may never
be offended with the smell Of the oil
lamp and tallow candle. and his dainty
feet always find inely-paved streets and
roads on which to carry his manly
FORM and last. but not least. may he be
ever safe IN his country home. free from
the city tax collector. whilst we will
go on uncomplaining, by bearing the heat
and burden OF the day. showing 10 the
world that We are not what we have been
repre- sented 10 he.
Yours truly.
AUGUSTINE ROYAL.