The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-12-15
{" Looking Backward"

Editor of THE Tines,
Sir,-I have read your editorial headed
Looking Backward" with special inter-
est. and I am heartily glad ''Thc Times"
has called attention to the facts stated
therein and has made the proper COM
ments / trust your suggestion with re-
gard 20 the est. Louis Exposition. will
be actively and cre0itably carried ont.
Certainly We caIinot expect Investors
from other sections, and We must de-
pend on such to furnish the capital we
lack, to take moro interest in the de-
velopmcnt OF the resources of Virginia
than her citizens. IF we remain
too supine and egotstic to make known
our advantages, NO do not deserve to
reap the fruit of them, and we Will not.
Southwestern Virginia. fer instance. is
almost a terra ircognlta to Tho outside
world. Yet extent of territory consd-
cred it is perhaps the most richly a!l1
variously endowed section in the CHiSad
States Investors hover all around il,
seeking less profitable Investments i'll
North Carolina, Tenneksee West Viz
sinia and Kentucky. scarcely knowing
that such q. territory exists because We
Nirsinans are too busy stirring our ever
setting cauIdron Of political agitation
and worshippiEg the Fetish of our ''slo-
rious past TO look after our present il
terest.
Should "The Times succaAd in work
ing up sentiment in favor OF Eirs.nians
making a creditahle exhiii. at the ST
Lcuis Exposition. I trust l. will sec to
il that the people be IMPRESSED With the
Importance of having tlleir- plans executed
~ a busness-like way. ana witt, the in
terest of Virginia as the sole Object of
the undertaking.
! base this suggestion cp1l an eSpcri-
ence which opened my eyes to ::lsuspcct-
ed possibilities of abus. # good intcn-
lions. or abuse of confidence in connec-
ton with similar enterprise that
brought discredt upon Ilrc::,ia. where
she should have reaped c,eilt and other
even more substantial returns I was
one Of those appointed by Gov. O'Fer-
raj to act as local assistant and State
Advisory Board in cooperation with u
central executive committee to raise funds
for Eirsinia's exhibit at the Worlds Fair.
] have ever since felt mortified and IN
disnant at the way the money. generous
ly contributed by the people for that
laudable object, was squandered.
The Central or Executive Committee.
like most other officials in Virginia. re-
ceived their appointment through influ-
ence. rather than because OF fitneSS lot
the task set them. Three or more OF
them had substantial salaries, and all
had extensive privileges as to railroad
fares getting up entertainments (and
taking their friends with them at the
public expense). sc. But there seemed
r. ~. NO treasurer, no auditor of accounts.
and no responsible head. The duty Of
the Advisory Board seemed to be to raise
funds each in his locality, and turn them
over Without receiving any receipt in re-
turn. to one of the Central Committee.
and TO assist that committee in their
MANS for the amusement and Qualification
Of themselves and their friends. No
body seemed to be thinking Of Virginia S
exhibit at any stage Of the proceeding.
and any suggestion or doubt In that con-
nection was promptly and politely put