Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1903-08-15

-, Very sincerely yours,
w. d. Cardwell.
In reply to Mr.. Rew's present
declaration that he is a supporter OF
temperance, good order and morality
l would like to inquire how longsuch
has been the case, and also who were
his personal chums and political sup
porters and hackers in the past, and
until he became my opponent and was
taken hold of by my political and
personal enemies, who, as Is well
known to me and to every thought
full citizen, have taken him up solely
10 an attempt to defeat. me, the
chief, one Of whom-high in party
authority has recently said that
while he W ould not vote for a negro,
as against me, yet would in such an
event "go on the beach election day."
have heretofore, and do now, en-
phatically deny that l ever In any
canvass placed money with any per
son to treat to whiskey. or with any
authority to use such money for
other than legitimate campaign pur-
poses. As Mr.. Rev has seen lit to
raise this @ question, even In the first
speech he made, am driven to ask
him whether it was just before, or
inst after his recent conversion to
temperance principles that he signed
petition asking the court to grant
license in Metompkin district to
sell liquor under the Mann lswf II
Mr.. Rew's temperance principles are
30 we'll known, and as firmly embed
ded In his life and character, how lie
Il that he now appears as candidate
| In opposition to me, which opposl-
ton the liquor men threatened to
bring out Immediately on the pas
sage OF the Mann bill, and on my
return from Richmond The only
explanation OF such position is that
the aforesaid liquor men have much
less confidence ia his temperance
principles and professions than they
have of faith in his intemperate
practices, and that they fully under
stand the meaning and true inward
ness of his very recent and vehement
temperance utterances. know that
the Mann bill has been a sharp thorn
In the side of a certain class OF per-
sons throughout the State, and know
that it's passage, and the part l took
in it has brought out this opposition
to me and that many whiskey men
all over the State are going to make
a strong fight this coming session to
repeal that bill. l believe that the
thinking and unsellsh people of the
county, whose principles OF temper
apce. good order and morality as
lived in their daily lives, will 30 un-
derstand my present opposition, aud
although the hand Of Esau may be ex
tended to them. will yet recognize the
voice of Jacob. l think that such peo-
pie will also understand the present
mammoth political ring by which l
am being fought, and the bitter and
vindictive personal reasons actuating
the members thereof in their espous,
al of my opponents ambition, and
causing their present alliance with
such men as compose my opponents
original hackers and followers.
Myown life and record are both well
known. have been before the peo-
pie of this county for ten years, l
have worked hard, have made mis-
takes-who among you have notH-
and have rectified them. l believe
that nay record and the knowledge
the people have OF me, are a suffi-
Gent assurance to them OF the in
tegrity OF my purposes, and guar
anty OF the fulflllment OF my prom
ises. l am doing, and will continue
to do all in my power to prevent a
breaking OF the Baylor survey, and
without Boosting, l think l am justi-
fed in saying, that l believe that l
can do more to protect this "line, y
and the interests of our oystermen
generally than could Mr.. Rev, or
any other new man that could be
sent to Richmond, because OF my
1 long experience, my large personal
ACC uaintance in the legislature, and
because OF the influence which
now 20 ssess as chairman OF the oys
ter and Fish Committee OF the House
a position which no new member can
hold. Unfortunately for my canvass
at this time, am as member OF the
committee to investigate the barren
rocks compelled to leave on that duty
on the 10th of August. know what
nv absence will cost me in the way
OF votes in the presence OF an active
opponent, who for that time will be
unopposed in his attacks upon me
butlI cannot afford to neglect my
public duties and the interests Of
our oystermen at this critical time
|, even though may be defeated
!, thereby. In view Of the present sit
uation am compelled to leave my
cause In the hands Of the people
whose interests have always sough
, to protect.
Respectfully,
s, Wilkins Matthe ws.
Aug. 10th, 1903.