Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1897-01-23
A strong PIea 10 Retain lhe H'rescn
Eastern shore Legislators.

The present members OF the Gen
eral Assembly from Accomac
aud Northampton having signilied
their willingness to serve the people
again as law makers, the following
estimate of their worth. which APP
peared in the Free Lance last week,
contributed by one who signs him
self as virginian, is of interest to
their constituents:
Observing that the Lance is in
familiar association with the Eastern
Shore aud for several reasons feeling
an interest in that interesting section
of our State beg for Il little space in
YOUR columns to say something not
Inappropriate just now as to the
merits both IS men and law makers
of the three Incumbent members Of
the Legislature from Accolnac and
Northampton with whom served
last winter in Richmond.
While all three of them were excel
lent representatives, 10 two of them
impressed me as being strikingly
similar in individuality or in the at.
tributes that make men effective
workers with their fellow men. They
were well suited, however, each to
the other as coadjutors; and, pulling
together. they always made strong
pull whenever the interests of the
Eastern Shore or any part OF it were
involved. Always calm, deliberate
and conservative, always accOmmO-
dating and courteous, always in full
mastery of every question under con
sideration by him, Senator LeCato
was easily man of acknowledged
influence and weight Though not
given to talking to hear himself talk,
he is fine speaker when he does
speak. In the committee room he
often rendered service to his i'm
mediate constituents and to his State
never made known in the proceed
ings Of the Senate us published inthe
newspapers. The positions to which
he was assigned Oh committees were
high compliments to him and to the
intelligent and sagacious constitu-
ency behind him. He was greatly
esteemed as an authority on the
much vexed oyster question, and if
he shall return to the Senate | sup
pose he will be regarded as logically
entitled to the craftsmanship of the
important committee on Fish and
Game. He is now Il member OF three
special committees, | think, to report
for legislation on a matter OF much
interest, next winter. | hear too,
that his efforts in favor of u
Board of Fisheries made a favorable
impression in the State, and, If re
turned, he will doubtless easily ac-
complish his purpose in that direc-
ton. Mr. Mathews was hustler, "
when anything of interest to Acco
mac was on hand. He is u fine fellow,
IL true man, and Il democrat all over.
Fl was very popular, his friends in
the House being confined neither TO
section nor party. His head is clear,
his perceptions are prompt, and his
nature is earnest and energetic with
breezy vitality about him that tells
in legislative life. DR.. Charles Smith,
Y. III. l. man, showed his soldiery
training by the steady, systematic
way he had in pushing on in every
purpose pertaining to the interests
of the people represented by him. He
was always at his post, always awake
to duty, always where he ought to
have been when the Eastern Shore
might be benefited or injured by
any pending bill. On account OF his
sterling worth as a man, his gentle
manly bearing, and his excellent
sense, the DIR. stood high in the
House. AS an outsider, it may be
said, have nothing to do with it,
but as yirginian and an admirer OF
the Eastern Shore aud the Eastern
Shore people, think may not I'M
reasonably ask to be allowed to eX-
press the wish that these gentlemen
may all be willing to go back, and
that their constituents may be will
ing to send them back to the Legis.
lature next fall. Such men are need
ed in our State councils. And with
LeCato, Matthews and Smith to rep
resent them, all the people, of all 10
caities and callings, on the Eastern
Shore, may rest assured that their
interests are in safe hands at Rich
mond. If l shall ever see the East
ern Shore sending any but good men
to the Legislature, shall begin to
feel that our grand old State is no
longer what she used to be.