Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1906-05-11
Friday. May IL. 1905
JONES OR MEARS."

the Craftsmanship OK the Board Of FISH
cries from the Eastern Shore, our
contemporary. the VIRGINIA CITIZEN.
graclously proposes that the Northern
Neck now reciprocate by surrendering
the Congressional nomination to the
Eastern Shore-a fair exchange is no
robbery, Ell, brother Lee? The Senti-
mel has already said its say as to the
Craftsmanship of the Board of Fisheries
going to the Northern Neck, and it was
not because we thought the Eastern
Shore had had it long enough that we
were glad it went to the Northern
Neck, but because we thought the man
VINO got it was most excellently fitted
by natural ability, training and expert
fence to discharge its duties. For the
same reason we can conscientiously and
enthusiastically say that the Northern
Neck should again be allowed to furnish
the democratic candidate for Congress
IN the First District, and we are strongly
inclined to believe it will be allowed so
20 do. In connection with the announ-
cement that the Citizen will in its
feeble way assist the candidacy of
Mr.. Mears, we are glad to note
we never strike in the dark, and our
purpose is openly announced. We
should deprecate any mud-slinging in
the primary compaign that is now on.
We do not believe either Mr.. Mears or
MIR. Jones will indulge in it. Even if
they should, this paper will go the limit
OF endurance in keeping out of a
scrap any contemporary, candidate or
man should, try to inveigle us into. Z"
And we hope that we shall in no
way contribute towards a violation of
our friends intentions. We have
also noted the grounds of the Citizens
opposition to Mr. Jones to be these:
we think Mr.. Jones has held the
position long enough. We think under
existing political conditions there are
men OF better views who should repre-
sent the District; we think there are
others enabled to do more for us. These
are honest convictions, and on these
grounds we espouse Mr.. Mears' can
didacy. The curse of the whole thing
is the primary abomination. Hardly
out of bitter and long drawn fight
before being thrown into another. Con-
gresham Jones as much, or more.
than any other, foisted the primary
upon us.
That the editorial columns of the
VIRGINIA CITIZEN should ever have
contained the three first men
toned reasons is incomprehensible to
us, and surely they will have no weight
with any who can recall with what con-
summate skill such reasons were ami
hilated by the CITIZEN in a certain
campaign ending August l4th, 1905.
Having, therefore, itself DESTROYED the
force of all such reasons as those. the
citizen seems to have left one ground
only upon which to oppose Mr.. Jones'
thatSis that he cas- much or more. than
any other, foisted the primary upon
us. "-SOuthside Sentinel.
We reproduce. somewhat to the ex.
pensa OF space. this portion q onr
urbanno friends leading editorial Of
iast.week because it 10 20 generously
miid-just like brother Ryland-and
because it opens up points that we
may with propriety enlarge upon
becoming controversial.
4r. Mears is in no sense the CIrI-
other than that he |
8 to receive Dur loyal and meriteti |
support. We had no hand in bring. |
ng him out, and when the Norfolk |
papers announced his candidacy we
lad no idea that any was thinking
# opposing Mr.. Jones. His candi.
lacy, we believe, was inspired by
arrest persuasion of Eastern Shore
md Peninsula sterling Democrats.
10 say that his decision was not re.
'eiVed by many on this side of the
Say with degree of pleasure would
BE undeserved and untrue. Yet there
ire many logical candidates on this
Idle (none from the long-favored
Northern Neck, please bear in mind),
my one OF whom we might have first
picked. Why, thereis friend Ryland,
more upright, able and deserving
elbow we do not know, whom we
Would have been glad to present for
consideration aud pushed with might
nj main. But our Southside and
fredericksburg WORTHLESS have all APP
reared too timid. So when the great
eastern Shore presents its favorite
on there are many palpable and
nst reasons why We of this side
hould lend our support. We have
most positively subordinated all
'ersenal feelings in this cany ass.
'aved aside the rather cold-blooded
emperament of our present Congress
Ian (his misfortune rather than hjs
'uiD, the standing in the-way of I
'pirations of political friends and I
IS failure to lend support and SYM t
'thy, to our local temperance cru il
DIES, and have considered the can e