Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1902-03-22
FIRST Congregational District.

Mr. Editor:-We notice that some
OF our Eastern shore papers with
singular shortsightednsss and seem
ingly, with wonderful Indifference ia
our iu'nr welfare and political asso-
citations, strongly endorse the rear-
rangement Of the Congressional Dis
tricts as proposed by State Senator
Barksdale, which puts the two East
ern Shore counties in the Second Dis
trict along with Norfolk Portsmouth,
Newport News, &c. Not being on
the 'inside," and consequently not
being aware OF the true inward
ness" OF this proposed change, we
must confess that we are utterly at q
loss for any good reason that would
justify such proposition. Is ii that
our people are tired OF generous, high
minded, upright political associates,
and pure, and clean politics, and
hat they are longing to wallow in
the filth and fraud OF the Second
District that this change is endorsed
by them? Are the people here weary
Of the monotony OF fair and honest
primaries and elections, and are they
eager for the contentious and strife
that fraud and vile political methods
engender that this change is advo-
Gated? The steuch OF the corruption
OF the political parties In the Second
District arises and spreads over all
the land, and is a standing and burn
ing disgrace to that section Of our
State. When they have no party
foes to fight and defraud-they usual
ly fight and cheat each other-and
this in spite Of the strenuous
efforts OF the honest and re-
spectacle element OF the people there.
What possible inducem"nt, Mr.. Edi-
tor, is there existing that we should
desire to renounce honor and honesty
Is politics, clean associates and TO
cast our fortunes with the ringsters
and tricksters OF Norfolk, and vicini-
tyr AS part OF that District, and
in competition with such adopts in
fraud. what could we expect to gain
in a division OF Offices or other honors
unless we adopted their own
methods? Even then, long practice
would ensure them victory over us
every time. The democratic party
will probably even adopt the policy
OF making nominations for nearly all
offices by primary elections and this
being true what show would an
Eastern Shore candidate have In a
contest with one in, or around Nor
folk in view of the methods usually
practiced over there in conducting
primaries? 1t may be possible that
Senator Barksdale did not originate
this scheme. 1t may be that some
one suggested this change to him.
He had no personal ends to serve we
are sure in advocating it. 1t may be
that some aspiring individual,
stirred to action by the buzzing of
the congressional bee around in his
ears, suggested the change in order
to get rid Of some apparently immov-
able barrier that stands-as they
may imagine-the only obstacle in
the way of their ambitious designs.
1t may be that there is this sort OF
all axe to grind, and that part OF
our local press has been by some
meaus induced to hold the axe, with
the expectation that the people
would do the turning. In this, they
may be mistaken. 1t may be that
the people here do not wish this
barrier removed; do not wish
Just at this time to part with
the services of their present able rep
resentative or to sever the happy re
lations that have bound them to
him, and to the old district for so
many years; do not wish to be mixed
for years and years to come with such
a heterogeneous mass as Norfolk
politics usually represent, even to
promote the designs Of some ambi-
tious individual or embryo congress
man that may live among us. In
any event, Mr.. Editor, would 1t not
be right, would it not be well, to
first consult the people, and to hear
from them regarding this PROPOSE
ton, before the deal shall have been
contaminated? Is there man among
us, who from ambition for office,
would assume to say to the people Of
Accomac and Northampton, "come
hither" or "go hence" without first
consulting them as to their wishes in
the natter Hardly.
3, IS, 1902. "Waldo."