Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1901-03-23
Letters From the People.

in the last few weeks in regard to
certain great questions now upon us
for solution, as indicated by our local
press. OF course among these ques>
tious. that OF the Constitutional Con
vention for obvious reasons, properly
takes first place. But even this mat
ter, momeutous as 1t certainly Is to
all OF us, threatens to be overshadow-
ed FOR a time at least it seems, by the
contest OF certain eminent indivf-
duals OF the State for the nomination
for the Office OF Governor. This con
test has become so earnest and so
heated between these candidates and
their respective partisans, as to
eclipse for the time almost, all other
matters. Now while we are ready
TO admit the great Importance OF
nominating a tirst-class man for Gov
ernor, and are ready to admit also
that we entertain very decided views
as to which OF the candidates at
present In the field has won, and is
fairly entitled to the support OF the
people OF Accomac, yet l have not
lost sight OF the fact, nor should the
people OF the Eastern Shore, or OF
eutire Tidewater In fact, forget that
there Is a nomination to be made,
and an Office to be filled, that owing
to the peculiar circumstances under
which we live Is scarcely second in
Importance to our people, to that OF
the Governorship itself. That is the
Lieut.. Governorship. This office, al
most lost sight of usually in the
turmoil and scramble OF the candi-
dates for the first place, and their adj
herents, is at present OF very great
conseu uence to us, owing to the fact
that it's occupant will be in a position
10 do our fishing and oyster interests
a vast deal OF harm, or a great
amount OF good, according as his
IDEAS and wishes might lead him. AS
President of the State Senate, he can
WELD power scarcely second to that
OF the Governor. In the appoint
ment of the Senate committeeman
most all important legislation is con-
tr olled by committees he can, and
does generally, select such men at
Will in their acts, reflect in a great
measure his own views upon any
great question that may arise. How
IMPORTANT then is 1t to US OF Tide
water to have If possible in that
position, man thoroughly identified
with our interests and who would be
responsive to our wishes, so far AZ
they were consistent with the gen
eral good. 1t seems to Inc, sir, that
it behooves tue people OF Accomack,
and OF Tidewater generally, to look
the situation squarely III the face al
once; and while we may not Suggest
that they should give less attention
10 the candidates for Governor, We
would, however, propose that the
Office of Lieut.. Governor Will ot
fraught with power, the exercise
OF which may be used for their wea
or their woe. For this important
position, we now have as candidates
two gentleman from the interior o.
the State, and one from Underwater
our own county LeCato. Ii
should not be, nor can 1t be necessary
to impress upon our people-ln view
of the facts above stated-the urgent
uee, OF Immediate consideration oil
measures that Will if possible, result
ia securing the nomination for thi'
Office of our own emmett citizen. Al
a. matter OF policy, as matter o.
characterization almost, to say
nothing of his merits, and OF the III
valuable services already rendered
US of Tidewater, we owe him GU
best and united efforts in this fight
NO candidate, however, hign TIT
.ffi ce 10 which he aspires, nor an.
man however great our admiration
or strong the ties that may bind us t
hun, should tempt US to forget GU
own welfare, the duty we owe t.
ourselves, to our toilers both on LAM
md water, and the debt we owe t.
him who has done more than an,
other man in Virginia to save GU
ioystermen and fishermen from tn
destruction threatened by the gree
of a few highland legislators, entice
! by the gold OF northern syndlcate'
While we are sure that the peopl
of Accomack and OF Underwater gen
orally are practically unanimous TO
LeCato, yet We must not conclud
from this fact, that his nomination
secure. The whole of Tidewater car
not nominate him unless aided b
votes from other sections. And W
should be very careful in what we q
in our county conventions or mas
meetings, in order that whateve
action we may take shall strengthe
il possible, rather than weaken h
cause among the people OF otht
parts OF the State. This is eminent
day, of what is termed "practici
politics." and in which any supper
however unanimous, or any enthus
asm however great among the ma
ses, often counts for naught whe
opposed by the cold blooded calcul'
tions OF trained and scheming pollt
clans. Watchfulness and prudent
with an occasional glance at our ow
interests, seems to be what the pre-
ont aituation now demands.