Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1906-04-27
THE CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARY

f. Mears, of Northampton, will be
candidate for the Democratic nomi-
nation for Congress in this District
came as u surprise to many. The
long and uncoutested tenure that Mr..
Jones has had on the position had
resolved itself into fixed thing
In the minds of many.
Our friends of the Eastern Shore
got into the way of thinking that
the Board of Fisheries control was a
heritage of that section; in other
words, that the chief position be-
ionged to them. We of the Northern
Neck have probably fallen into a
similar error; we believe perhaps,
that the Congressman from the First
District should reside within the
confines of the Northern Neck. Pre-
cedence has given both sections good
grounds for their faith. The year
1906 has developed the fact that
there are other large sections having
claims upon oyster administration;
may 1t not also prove that there are
other geographical sub. divisions of
the District whose politicalclaims are
equal to those of our own long-favored
Neck 4? We for one are satisfied that
it shall be so. In other words, the
VIRGINIA CITIZEN recognizes the
right of any good citizen to run for
Congress here, and the claims of
other sections to this honor. In it's
feeble way it shall assist the candi-
dacy of Mr.. Mears. We never strike
In the dark, and our purpose is openly
announced. We should depreeate
any mud-sling;ug in the primary
campaign that is now on. We
do not believe either Mr.. Mears or
Mr.. Jones will indulge in it. Even
IT they should, this paper will go
the limit of endurance in keeping
out of a scrap any contemporary,
candidate or man should try to invei-
gle us into. We think MIR. Jones
has held the position long enough.
We think under existing political
conditions there are men of better
views who should represent the Dis
trict; we think there are others en-
abled to do more for us. These are
honest convictions, and on these
grounds We espouse Mr.. Mears' can l..
didacy.
The curse of the, whole thing
is the primary abomination. Hardly
out of bitter and long drawn
fight before being thrown into
another. Congressman Jones as much,
or more, than any other, foisted the
primary upon us. We have consist
emily opposed the primary move, aud
consequently Mr.. Jones' position on
it as well as on some other things.
True. Mr.. Jones was opposed to Con-
gressional primaries, wishing it only
for the U. s. Senatorship, but be is
responsible above all men for our
having these party fights. Whether
1T will be turned to his good or i'll
remains to be seen. 1t NAV be
boomerang, quien sabe? Chickens
come home to roost over political
fences as we'll as over the barn.
yard rail. Results are not We,
apparent, and the CITIZEN i,
not accustomed to forecasting re
suits or looking to the winnin,
side, but somehow or other when W
take up fight we persevere an,
generally come out on top. If Their
were not another vote cast here il
June at the primary for Mr.. Near
he will get ours. But it is safe t
say the Northern Neck will give hin
good support. We are not hoggish
nor do we view the Eastern Shore a
did the pharisees the Lowry Nazareth
We believe there is lots of goo,
over there and much good t,
US can come from there. We shall
see. In the meantime let us not for
get that we are to be thrown int
another primary fight. and that Mr.
Mears is not the incipient cause. HI
stands on his rights as a pure, high
man, representing one of the bes.
subdivisions of the old First Dis.
trict and this grand old Common
wealth; a man above fear and above
reproach.
"Virginia's governor appears to have