Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1903-07-17

~, l9O3, Hon. Il. A. Revercoml
replies to "Citizen's" letter which
asked why he did not or could not
pass through the Senate the bill
Prepared by don. Mr. Carrot and
presented and pushed by him
through the House.
MIR Revercomb seems to treat
with contempt the man who dareS
to ask why the peoples wishes are
ignored by their representative.
Now, we asked this because we
think the people have a right to
know how they are represented.
As before stated these petitions
were very strong stronger titan
most petitions that go before legiS-
lative bodies, and the measure ask
ed for was Of more vital Importance
to the people than most legislative
Acts.
We are not aware that a single
petitioner ever heard through MIR.
Revercomb or any other source
why the bill was not passed. aad as
we wanted to know why, we asked
in polite and gentlemanly way,
we thought, not thinking that we
were violating any Of the rules Of
ethics or committing the "un-par-
donable sin" that we should be an
swered in such rude and uh-Sen-
tlemanlv manner from one in Mr..
Rs position TO the people.
1t is hardly necessary for us to
notice it, or to remark on the spirit
and tone of his letter. The people
have 1t and have no doubt passed
Judgment upon it. We will say
Just this: If Citizens letter shows
dense Ignorance as he states we
think the reply shows uncommon
discourtesy and rudenesS.
As to Citizen not signing his
true name to letter-that, as Mr.
Revercomb and the public know,
has nothing whatever to do with
the matter in question.
We think the most ignorant of
us know that our Editor don't
print such letters without the true
name of the writer. Citizen is re-
sponsible for what he SAYS and does
and it was only matter Of modes
ty on his part that his signature
did not appear. and not, as Mr. Rev
ercomb intimates, because lie was
ashamed; On the contrary, he is
proud that it is in his heart to
stand up and speak out in the in
terests of the people, and is only |
sorry that he is not able to champ !
ion their cause as he would be glad !
to do.
He certainly does not now feel
inclined to CRAFTY Mr. r. by giving
his signature, but when the public
want it they will find it at ltecor-
der office.
We do confess much Ignorance
of the law, but we think that
should be excused in a private citi-
zen when the lawyers and legisla-
tors do not know the law.
We were not ignorant Of the
provision of the Constitution that
gives the power of local taxation,
bat were informed by those who
ought to know that it would not
he applicable in time to benefit us
this year.
The bill asked for was a speed
measure and if our representative
in the Senate had been as DESTROYS
to serge us as was our representa-
tive in the House. we believe that
our long suffering people could ;
Jlave looked forward with bright .
antcipations and renewed interest {
to our schools the coming fail and t
winter. +
As it is. we must face the same
unfavorable conditions this next {
scholastic year that we have had in 4
the past, only more aggravated. I
Our Com'r Revenue has made off 5
his books and treasurer has had his :
tickets printed, aud the law that /
MIR r. saws was already applicable,
will do us no good this year. i
The people Of Blue Grass can 7
not have this year what thev SO a
much wanted because our State c
Senator did not passed the speedy p
measure they asked for, and did p
not. tell them or amy one else, to |
our knowledge, that they already C
had what they wanted until Gill l
zen's letter appeared, Then, alas, 4
too late
If Citizen was mistaken and
ignorant he was in good company,
as the member Of the house has
"stultified" himself according to q,
Mr. r. in proposing the measure u:
and the House itself has displayed &c
the same Ignorance in passing it. al
md all the while Mr. Il. with his f tr
wisdom,) stood near at OF
land Except when lie was at home of
epresenting the reople?) without II
'ffering a friendly suggestion to S Si
ither that they were making IA dr.
pectacle of themselves.
Why didn't he tell them better?
We have faint suspicion that Mr..
tevercomb's superior information