Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-13
REMOVAL OF THE COURTHOUSE.
Delegate B1anton, of buckingham
Explains His Position

| BDChlNGHAM COURTHOUSE, VA,
| February 12.-(Special)-A very hot con-
| test is pending as to the removal Of the
| courthouse from its present location 20
| White Hall. Delegate Blanton some time
back wrote TO Judge John r. Moss sta
| ting that he would not secure any Iegis-
lation on the subject until after February
County Court, which meets on the l4th,
but last week, much 10 the surprise or
the people, he introduced the bill author
zing the vote, and had the measure pass
ed by the lower house. The following let
ter from Mr.. Blanton 10 some degree ex-
plains his position, which is regarded by
4 large majority of the people with great
disfavor, and such an expression as would
have deferred Mr.. Blanton's action would
have been obtained here on next court
day. had the action on the bill been de-
layed until that time.
House Of Delegates,
Richmond. Va, February g. 1898.
DR.. W. L. Pratt:
My Dear Sir,-Your letter OF the 7tn
instant was received this morning, ana
in reply will say that a committee or
gentlemen from your county, composed
Of Messrs. Il. w. Hubbard, II. NJ. Johns,
II. NJ. White, - Moon, and two other
gentlemen, whose names L now cannot
recall, came to Richmond Monday eve
ming. January 81, 1898. and presented TO
Mr.. Flood and myself four petitions from
The citizens of the county Of Buckingham,
addressed as follows: ITO the Hon. H. D.
Flood and Il. w. l.. Blanton, Richmond,
Va. conference.-the the undersigned
voters of buckingham county respectfully
request you to have passed at this session
Of the Virginia Legislature a bill allow
ing the people of Buckingham county 10
vote upon the question Of moving the
courthouse from its present location 10
White Hall. The reasons for wishing the
courthouse moved from its present loca-
ton 10 White Hall are too well under
stood TO be discussed
l met these gentlemen, according 70
promise in the room of Mr.. Flood, on the
evening named above. / stated TO these |
gentlemen that | had written to Judge |
Moss to post notices and get an express
sion Of the people at the February term |
Of your County Court Mr.. II. W. Hubbard. |
who is the Commemorative Attorney or |
your, county, a gentleman of intelligence |
and high character, and one, too, who is
IN position to know the wishes or the
people, suggested that 1t would be
unwise to hold such a meeting
that in all probability it would |
end I'm a row Of some kind. ana
was 10 give the people an opportunity to
express themselves by an election. Mr..
Flood, too. so expressed himself L have
10 interested feeling in the matter except
30 far as 10 carry out the wishes of the
)eOple. This is a matter which your
PEOPLE should settle, and not me, and the
pest and only way that IL can be done
airly is to give them an opportunity 10
'ote on the subject.
l am frank to say that II the matter was
eft with me, ! would vote against NOV
ne the courthouse, &C My sympathies
re all with the courthouse people. but
n Justice to all parties, / felt IL 10 be
Nv duty TO introduce the bill and let all
arties have a right to express them
elves at the polls. Especially did | think
o. when the Commemorative Attorney.
tho is fresh from the people. so urged
1e. and Mr.. Flood so advised. l cannot
ee. for my life, what harm can be done
, having a vote on the subject. The vote
n the railroad can be taken at the same
me. I introduced this bill at the sug-
estion OF Messrs. Flood and Hubbard. J
fr. Hubbard was in my seat at the time
introduced the bill. don't see how you
eople can attach any blame 10 me for
lowing them TO settle their own matters
V vote.
start tomorrow to Southwest vir- c
mia. and hope i may return in time 10 7
tend your court; but II anything should d
i'm up so / will be unable TO be present, c
will thank you TO read this letter 10 b
our people. With high esteem and good '
shes, am \
Your friend. truly, ]
b. w. J.. BLANTON. Z
- - C