Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1897-02-20

detriment to the public good or in
terests, | shall be in favor of sustain
ing the law. Upon the other hand,
if l find that there is no material
saving in money to the Common
wealth resulting therefrom, and that
the law has the effect of shielding
criminals and increasing crime or
exercises other baleful influences
upon the well being of our people,
without compromising advantages,
then l shall vote for it's repeal entire,
or it's amendment-so that the OBJ
jectionable features shall be elm
mated. Yours respectfully,
S. WILKINS MATTHEWS.
Assawaman, Va, Feb. II, 1897.
Mr. EDIToR:-Seeing that a "Coun-
tryman" has freed a lot of old" Coons"
and is making an effort to get them
down and out so that he can see and
know what manner of "Coonsn they
might be, 1 thought 1 would help
him smoke 'em out. Like him l want
a look at 'em; want to know whether
they are poor" Coons' or fat "Coons,"
smart "Coons' or foolish "Coons,"
docile "Coons' or unruly "Coons. !"
Whether it would pay better to kill
'em and eat 'em, or whether it would
be better to keep 'em and train 'em;
to make trick "Coons" of them, that
would dance when we patted, that
would growl and jump and "play
dead" and do other tricks when we
told them.
If they can't be trained and be
made to do these things, then they
are not the sort of "Coons' am
looking for. If they won't act as I
want 'em, think the same thoughts l
think, speak when l speak, and fol-
low whenever and wherever | lead,
I'll hay 'em for their pelts, throw
their carcasses to the dogs, and look
for "Coons" that will, that's all.
l don't want any fool "Coons" or
Boss "Coons" "in mine.n can do the
"fool act" and the "boss act" for
1.-The whole shooting-match," and
any Coon" that thinks he knows
better what to do, or how to 10 than
+, is fool Coon" sure enough, and
had better "stand from under" if he
don't he'll get hurt.
So smoke 'em out, "Countryman,"
smoke 'em out. Some of 'em have
already "smelt'' fire. and have poked
their noses out to find out what's up;
keep it up, pile on the fire, and make
'em all come clear out in the open,
so that we can tell which way these
legislative two legged "Coons" are
going to jump. Let's find out how
they are going to act, and what they
are going to act, we have right to, and
let's do it.
I'd like to fire" few pyramids" at
lem myself, old "Countryman," if you
don't object concerning matters now
pending" and their attitudes and
opinions 10 regard thereto, chunks
which any wide awake Coon that's
''up to snuff" and that can read a
handwriting on wall'' ought to be
able to answer or to dodge in a man
ner that will satisfy even Country
man. or myself. $50 here goes. !"
How are you, Mr.. "Coons," on the
high hat question? Do you believe
that ladies should be allowed, for the
sake of style, beauty or effect, to wear
such hats in theatre as would de-
prive one of your constituents of the
male persuasion-sitting in the rear
from getting glance even at the
feminine beauty and grace on the
stage, or that would deprive spin
ster of uncertain age-at church
from shooting unmistakable glances
at the young and brilliant minister
in the pulpit? How are you on the
Cuban, Venezuelan, and Hawaiian
questions? Are you for gold
or silver? Do you believe in
State banks or National banks
Are you for government ownership
OF railroads and telegraphs? For a
high or low tariff? Are you in favor
of bounty on farm products? Do
you believe in the election of Presi-
dent and senators by direct vote of
the people? Are you for or against a
constitutional convention? An opin-
ion in this matter now, even from a
level headed Coon" would be of
interest. Do you believe the State
should sell, lease, or otherwise dis
pose of the natural oyster rocks? Are
you for a fence law? How are you
on the dog tax? Are you for local
option. free whisky, or. high license!
Are you in favor of individual, ma
tional and international arbitration
of disputes, or would you prefer to
fight? Are you in favor of woman suff
rage or not? Doyou believe that only
those who own real estate should be
allowed to vote? How are you or