The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-04-29
TWENTY-EIGHTH DISTRICT.
Views Of Ex- Congressman J. F.. Epes
H.a on Redstricting.

Views of Ex-Congressman y. E. Epes3
5.z on Redistricting.
Editor Of The Times-Dispatoh:
Sir,--An article appeared a few months
ago in the dispatch on the aubject of
rodstrcting, the tenor Of which was to
call attention to tho evils so often re
sultlng from the disruption OF old asso-
Citations.
# With all due respect to public men. par
tticularly lawmakers they do not seem to
begin to appreciate this as do men en-
gagged III private business especially the
farmers of the country. who know that
ey en- in the vegetable world 1t is ruinous
to transplant anything unless 1t Is done
at the right time and in tho right way.
In the simple matter OF the alphabet,
tho mere transportation OF the letters In
the good old word preserve makes 1t
to mean and read the bad one s'peryerse,'
which Is SO often destructive to peace
and composure, and there is no depart
ment In the life OF either the law-maker
or politician In which the great principle
of conservatism ("keeping together"
"guardng old landmarks" preserving
long established condtions") is so literally
and positively involved as in the matter
OF "redlstrlctng. - tia "
or all times. 1t ought at this time to
cuted with most caution In View of the
fact that amid the many changes going
on the County Courts are about to cease
to exist. In many respects they were
grand old institutions, Of which their
monthly terms We're prominent features,
afrording facilities for mutual acquatnt-
nnce and exchange OF views among the
pass away, the formation and cemenla-
| ton OF new associations Will be more
| difficult than ever 1t has been before.
| The occasion for the further expression
o! these thoughts and feelings is informa-
| ton recently received to the effect thai
the Twenty-elghth (State) Senatorial Dis
4 trict will probably be dissolved.
It cannot be reasonably denied that the
matter Of population Is one Of Importance
| ana ought to be carefully considered In
this connection; nor. on the other hand
can 1t be reasonably claimed that 1t is o.
supreme Or controlling Importance unless
It falls very far below the geenral aver
| nge. In tho very nature OF the case. :
| Is absolutely impossible either to create
! or preserve In this respecy an exac
\ equality without destroying the intogrlt!
4 OF different counties and towns by dlyld
Y Ing them asuEder and assigning one par
i thereof to one district and another t
i another This is exemplihed by the fac
/ that il the changes proposed for tn
i 'I'wenty-eighth Senatorial District ar
correctly reported, the result will be t
make the Thirteth District as mucl
1 larger as 1t is now claimed to be smalle
! than most OF the other districts In tn
4 State,
RECONSTRUCTION DAYS.
our people are Intelligent enough t
II know that changed conditions sometime
!yupire that changes be mdao, They hav
4 a becoming regard for the views OF thei
representatives, and when these change
4 become really necessary are prepared t
4 submit becomingly to them, but 1t ough
net to be expected Of them to do so with
cut the deepest regret,
III, All the counties In the State. part!cu
Marry the older eastern counties, hay,
a been called ppon from time to time. Il
stand by sound principles firmly and /,
face threatened dangers faarlessly. blu
not ono Of them has exhibited more he
!, ro.sm than the central county In thu
i tsents- eighth senatorial district 1t 1
Ia feet which deserves to be recorded /,
! Ihis.ory that in the year 1870, commonl
called tho year Of reconstructinn whcf
"A as far as human eye could SEQ promise
the immediate DESTRUCTION ot the right