The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-02-12
Secretary Cages Proposition Is Considered
an Insult TO This Section.
II is NOT LOOKED UPON AS 4 JOKE
The Nero Suggestion Is Resented
some Snni,io Opinions-..Mon~
stroHs," Buys Gne-'.A Cnso OF Cob.
bic" declares Another Condemn.
ed by Every One.


consolidate the customs of Norfolk and
Newport News and make the latter city
the port of entry, was the chief topic
of discussion yesterday, not only
among business men, but in other cir
clcs OF society.
The general impression may be
summed UP to be that primarily and
originally 1t Is scheme, cmanating
from utterly selfish sources, to build
up Newport News nj the expense of
Norfolk, otherwise. the people say, the
proposition would have been to make
Norloik the port of entry instead Of
newport News, if the consolidation be
really necessary, for. il is urged, Nor
folk could very readily. If so disposed
advance ample claims for this move,
Whilr, on the other hand Newport
news cannot show n single valid rca-
son why it should take pre-eminencc
But Norfolk has never uskcd for 4
consolidation and never anticipated
doing so. She rcjoiccd in the growth
ana prosperity of her sister city with
Il pleasure untingcd by the slightest
OBVIOUSLY, but respectfully desires to
maintain her own rights and refuses
IN spite Of her great inclination to see
Newport News go ahead, to make her
Il free gift OF her own hard-earned
prosperity.
This is the consensus Of opinion in a
nut shell. 1t is also recognized that
'houEh the proposition seems absurd
ana unlikely on It's face, ii was made
seriously enough by the Secretary, und
was not intended as a pleasantly. The
people here do not take ii as Il Joke
anct the mere suggestion is considered
an Insult. In making it Secretary Gage
has not only turned many who were
his friends in this city into enemies
but has created new ones of people
who never before SO much us gave him
n thought. Indeed, II would be diff
culs to describe the intense Indignation
he has provoked
FOLLOWING are some sample opinions
obtained by The VirEinian Yesterday:
p. j. Morris-"lt is an outrage. 1
think 1t looks like another attempt on
the part of the bloatcd bondholders to
gobhle up the earth"
Judge Allan r.. Hanckel Of the Cor
poration Court-"It is "a monstrous
proposition and would he little short
or criminal wonder If they are
serious about It, If there is to be n
consolidation. Norfolk should be the
port Of entry. We have the railroads,
the people, the business. the harbor
VIVA: has Newport News?"
MI bcoFSc MclnlOSn-'lt Is FOOLISH
there is no sense or reason in It, Both
Newport News and Norfolk ought TO
be ports of entry"
Mr.. j. NJ. T.. Trottcr-"Its the most
outrageous thing 7 ever heard Of l
wonder who is behind the scheme"
Capt. Robert w. Tomlin-"I think
like every one else. 1t would be dis
ustrous to Norfolk. 1t would have the
effect Of making us a suburb of New
port News"
Mai. Charles Pickett-''The PROPOSE
ton is absurd on the face of il. To
do what Secretary Gage suggests
would be to perpctrate the grossest
injustice on this city. which is not
only the oldest, but has shown itself
in the last few years to be the most
progressive in the South. | could cx-
press myself much more emphatically
on this point, but this is a general
statement OF my views rs a citizen of
Norfolk"
Mr. d. l.. GrOncr-"It is an outrage.
The mere suggestion is an insult TO
this community ana should be actively
resented. Our business men and our
members of Congress should take steps
TO nip any such gross injustice in the
bud If this Custom-house were taken
away from here we would not recover
from 1t in twenty years. If ever"