Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1903-06-12
JOKING GIVES SERIOUS PAUSE.
(Rtehmond Me,os Leaderl

(RtehSaond Nesos Leader)
Joking decides great things,
Strengthen and better Oft than earpes,
can"
incidentally little joking between
the VIRGINIA CITIZEN and ourselves
has turned our attention seriously
again to a very important matter to
this city. The CITIZEN, which is
published in Irvington, Lancaster
county, the tip end of the Northern
Neck, so TO speak, is much inclined
toembellishments in the way of snake
stories, the relation of remarkable
hen performances, descriptions of
natnrdl-or unnatural -phenomena,
etc. lie is an artist in that line. Re
Gently, however, we noted that it had
"let up" on that style of literature
and inquired where sits opulent and
redundant fancy had wandered to-"
In truth, we were pining for one of
Its "fairy tales" which, by reason of
their uniqueness and audacity in
defying all rules Of veracity, never
fail TO afford US most enjoyable rec
reation. In its last issue the CITIZEN
"comes back at las" with feigned
savageness, and having nothing else
ripe to exaggerate about just now
though it claims to be incubating
several magnificent yarns-accuses
us of being in the same class with
itself In the matter of playing on the
creduiity of the unsophisticated pub
lie. 1t even charges that the columns
Of the Ne'0s Leader furnished the
raw material for some of its most
marvellous variations, and that it
simply worked that material up ia
more attractive and frst-class style
Butin insisting upon the fecundity
of its section in developing marvels
OF all sorts, our contemporary saws
"Richmond forgets that the CITIZEN
is printed in one of the most produc-
tive and wonderful countries on the
giobe-an 'outside row. that Rich
monders have little looked into, and
consequently they believe little in the
prolific life and energy it contains"
Here is where the joking gives us
serious pause, and we have striking
of true words being
spoken in jest-or in a testing arti-
Gle, at least. The whole Northern
Neck is an ''outside row" of aston
ishing productiveness-in many re-
sfects garden spot-with a popu-
lation than which none are more
loyal to their State and capital. Yet
it is practically without Transports
ton communication with Richmond. |
We can reach it only by going around
Robin Hoods barn and in at the
back door. AS a consequence the
trade of nearly that entire geograph-
ical division of Virginia, which
amounts to hundreds of thousands
of dollars per annum, and which the
Northern Neckers would be glad to
see come here, goes to Baltimore.
The section, against its protest, is
fattenlng Baltimore at the expense
Of Richmond, and at its own expense;
for In the absence of the competition
direct communication with Rich
mond would give, it is at the mercy
of the Maryland city. This is a con.
dition of affairs to which the atten-
ton OF our merchants, manufacturers
and capitalists has been frequently
drawn without stimulating them to
any practical steps looking to the
remedy, which is so much In their
own interest and the interests of
generally. The side re-
marx, so to speak, dropped by the
CITIZEN in its facetious tilt with us
furnishes us opportunity to bring the
remedy to their notice once more.
and we would emphasize the necessity
and the business wisdom of applying
1t, with all the earnestness we are
capable of. The remedy consists in
such substantial cooperation by our
people with the counties stretching
from here to Tappabannock as will |
make the proposed Richmond Tap.
pahannock railway an accomplished
Tact, and such further cooperation
with the Northern Neckers as will
result in extending the line through
and down the "outside row." Con.
summation of the enterprise would
open up to Richmond trade an i'm
nense new field as embraced in the
Northern Neck, and the territory
between here and Tappahannock. 1t
IS trade we'll worth the trying for
the spending of big money to
'ecure-and once Richmond had
secured it, obviously she would have
no difficulty in holding it against all
competitors. Let our people think
IN this matter and think to the end
II acting speedily and vigorously.