The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-11-24
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS "a, 1900.
Weather forecast for Fred
erickS6urg and Vicinity.
Threatening and Colder
soiRdS, becoming fresh North.
NOT A HURRY" GALL.

NIL n n v M OAa6s
Our neighbor. the Star, thinks that
the other papers of Fredericksburg
have fallen short in their duty in
not having sufficiently prodded the
city fathers on the sewerage question.
After calling the Journal to tsw the
Star says:
1.-THE Free Lance is equally reticent.
Devoted a. this independent journal Is
to the interests Of this city, IL retralns
from discussing in its columns THE
matter Of much import and holds its
opinions back with a modesty IS re-
markable as unusual. Now both Of our
contemporaries have perfect right 20
pursue any course they see tit in the
matter, and perhaps they do not care
TO bore their out Of town subscribers
with opinions purely interesting 60
their readers in this city We believe,
however. the latter would excuse lit
tie discussion Of the sewerage matter.
We thank our neighbor for the
genial manner in which it points out
dereliction-to its way of thinking
upon the part of The FREE LANCE.
We have given as much space to
Fredericksburg affairs in the past as
we felt was warranted in justice to
our general circulation,as suggested;
but we do not think-nor do we be-
lieve our contemporary or citizens
of this town think, either-thst We
fail at any time to give due attention,
with proper limitations, to matters
of interest to Fredericksburg.
In the early spring this paper call
ed attention to the fact that an in
crease in private sewer systems would
in the near future seriously initiate
against q general system of sewer.
age. From that time on THE FREE
LANCE has agitated the question, and
we feel q modest pride in knowing
that this agitation was no small fac
tor in launching the movement that
is now in q fair way to result in
something tangible.
So much for our position in the
past-recent past. We hope we
know when to speak; also when to
keep silent. For the past few weeks
the situation has not sppes ed to us
have been one that should be agl-
tated through the press. The PEG
pie had the matter in hand, as far rs
discussion was concerned, and it was
not our place to seek to influence
them or to force our views as to any
specific way the matter should be
solved. We are satisfied that it is
in the hands of representative citi.
zens who are weighing the subject in
ell Of its phases. We believe that SEN
timent sin favor of general system
Of sewerage; that the committee rec
ognizes this and will in proper time
present their deliberations to the peo-
pie for discussion. Until that time
we have nothing to discuss, nor any
thing to prod the council, the com.
mittee or any person about.
There will be many phases Of the
question presented, we surmise, when
it comes from the hands of the com
mittee, one Of which may show that
the sum suggested by the Davis re.
port would fall far short of meeting the
requirements when it is considered
that increased water facilities will be
needed. And. to-, the committee may
have more feasible plan than the
Davis one to suggest. These and
many other matters will be brought
to light, and when this is done it will
be time enough to discuss ways and
means. So, since the question is one
from which progress" is reported
may we not be permitted to suggest
to our neighbor that it hold its FIRE
until the target is set up.
There will be DO trouble about
procuring the money when an &C.
ceptsble plan is determined upon,
for Fredericksburg's bonds would be
easily gobbled up; but several seri'
Gus questions do arise in this! con
nection, among them thlse two-sn
assurance Of too many bonds will
initiate against future issue and
sale, should q necessity arise; and
the taxpayers will demRnd that they
get full value for money invested in
this, as we'll as any other enterprise.
The FREE LANCE has no particular
method to suggest by which to ac'
complish the ends which it wishes to
see achieved as sincerely as does the
Star; therefore we are not prepared
to jump into particulars. After the
plans have been matured the voters
of the town will probably be given
say in the matter. At that time
every citizen and every newspaper
should be heard upon the subject.
THE NEGRO AND HIS SCHOOLS.
Within the inner circle of politics