Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1903-12-25

present sesSlon Will extend 20 Jan
uary 18th.
A number of people have been un-
lawfully welded the last two weeks
In Virginia. A new law went in to
force December 18th taking from
county clerks and vestiug in circuit
court clerks the right to issue mar
riage lincenses. It was not generally
known to the people or the clerks.
SOME BILLS PASSED.
The social club bill, which will do
away with bogus clubs and prevent
any at all from being licensed in
local option districts, was passed by a
vote of Al to 81. IN. Lyell voted
for the bill and C. @. Baker against
it. They are the delegates from
the Northern Neck.
$4,000 was appropriated to estab-
lish another State Normal School, to
be located North of the James river.
The place bidding for and securing
1t must donate site and some money.
BARKsDALE AND THE GOVERNOR. -
The defeat of Hon. s. Wilkins
Matthews, the oystermen's friend, of
Accomac, was the subject of quite
an interesting episode during the de-
bate on the Jordan bill. 1t is very
we'll known that DR.. Bowdoin, chair
man of the Board of Fisheries, was
instrumental in defeating Matthews
with young fellow who represented
the saloon interests. During the de-
bate Senator Bsrksdale charged that
the machinery of the Board of Fish
cries had been used to defeat Mat
thews last November, and when de-
MED by Senator Keezell Barksdale
added that Governor Montague also
connived at Matthews defeat.
Senator Barksdale read a letter
from Mr.. Matthews stating that DIR.
bowdoin told him that he (Bowdoin)
had received letter from the Gov.
erner alleging that Mr.. Matthews
had polled the last Legislature in
behalf of Senator Martin, and that
ne would support none but a Monta-
que man for the House, as he owed
his appointment to the Governor.
The letter also says that DR.. Bow.
dom used all his influence, both az
chairman of the Board of Fisheries
and chairman of the Democratic
party of Accomac, to defeat Mr..
Matthews. Among other things
Senator Barksdale said:
81 will say that the defeat of the
delegate from Accomac was a source
OF surprise and regret to the General
Assembly asa whole. We all knew
with what zeal and fidelity he had
served his people, and that he was a
bulwark of strength to the oyster
people in preventing hostile legisla-
ton; and l will say further that no
man In the General Assembly stands
higher as a man and representative
than 5. Wilkins Matthews.
"My only object in making this
statement was to defeat legislation
W would Cypress and
impoverlsh to a great extent the
people of Underwater Virginia.
"The Governor made his canvass
Tor the nomination on high grounds
on the highest known grounds. He
pleaded for revival of old-fashion-
ed patriotism, and denounced in un-
measured terms the machine, apy|
man who used it, and any man who|
would use his official position to re-
ward or punish, or to further his
own political fortunes. Now state.
ments are publicly made that the
chairman of the Board of Fisheries.
who Is the appointee of the Cover.
nor, used his official position in a
factional fight within the party, and
that he used it at the instance of his
Excellency. l have repeated these
statements, and given my authority;
and it the result be the exposure Of
political can't and hypocrisy, I con.
Tess l shall be gratifed. Like his
Exceliency, leave the matter with
the people to pass judgment, both as
TO my mott yes and his performances"