Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1906-06-01
lCommunicstedl
Is CONSISTENCY A JEWEL 1
If so, Does Mr.. Geo. II. Smith, OF
Sunnybank, Va, Possess il?
EDITOR CITIZEN.

II
vile Era in its issue of Nov. d, 1908.
Editors Era:-The question of the re-
moval of the Custom House from Tap
pahannock to Reedville is one that oc-
ours periodically. Every phase of it
has been discussed time after time.
There is nothing TO be added to the argu-
ments in it's favor. The justice of
removal has been shown repeatedly.
However, the people are to be congratu-
lated on the rumored fact that the Hon.
w. A. Jones will again attempt the APP
parently impossible feat of giving Reed
vile a Custom House, but they need
not hatter themselves that it will be
done. Mr.. Jones has no more influence
now than he had before. He has ac-
CURED national reputation as an orator,
but his reputation for practical work is
almost nothing.
In view of the '1ate revolution" in
this county it would seem that the runner
OF another attempt at removal is mainly
for political effect The actual intro
duction of a bill to that end, would only
emphasize the fact that it has been
considered necessary to throw sop to
the people to partially alter the trend of
public opinion. Mr.. Jones is said to be
in receptive mood as to the U. S.
Senatorship and therein lies the possible
reason for again agitating the question.
He wants to strengthen his position in
the county.
With a negro in the Custom House
and Roosevelt in the White House, it is
all moonshine to expect that situation to
be changed, until Roosevelt is out, or
he changes his mind on the negro
question.
Mr. A. J. Edwards has done enough
work to be entitled to the office, if it is
ever removed to Reedville, but to say
that he would have been made the
Custom Officer in that event, is pure
conjecture. He was recommended, it is
true, but Republican administrations
are not in the habit of appointing
Democrats to Office upon the recommen-
datlon of Democratic Congressman that
are so heartily disliked by them as Mr..
Jones. Anyhow, under the Roosevelt
regime, it is quite likely that some
colored gent would be the appointee, if
the Custom House should be removed
any time soon. Respectfully,
GEO. II. SMITH.
Sunnybank, Va, Nov. 2, 1903.
If the above was true in 1907 we
would ask Mr.. Smith to show us what
MIR. Jones has done for Reedville, Nor
cumberland county or the First Dis
trict that has caused him to change his
mind about Mr.. Jones and express it in
the following language in the News of
the 18th inst.
Zone demonstrated fact is worth a
thousand visionary theories. Mr.. Jones
has made mistakes, but he has profited
by them. With the passing of the years.
he has gained wisdom and the power to
use that wisdom for the benefit of
his constituents. With his retention in
Congress our people may expect to be
benefited more and more as the wears
pass by. With the accumulated exper-
fence of his long service as guide, he
will be enabled to do better work-work
that will rebound to his credit and be
helpful to his people.
''Mr. Mears may do this, and even
more; but we know that Mr.. Jones does
it. One successful performance is worth
more than dozen promises.
1.-THE notion that Mr.. Jones should be
turned down because he has held the
post long time is one that is contrary
to sound policy. If he has been unfaith-
full TO his duties, and useless to his dis
trict, let him go; and the sooner the
better. If he is tried and true keep
him indefinitely. Why should one good
man who does his duty be removed to
make place for another good man who
would like to try his hand at the
business
There are many questions upon
which we may differ from Mr.. Jones,
but surely the one of keeping him in
Congress as the best possible thing for
the district is not one of them. And |
do not believe that our people will let
any. petty thoughts of resentment govern
their actions in this matter"
Wear to judge then, that Mr.. Jones
could not make practical reputation
for work in Congress" the first thirteen
OBJ years of his service, satisfactory
to Mr.. Smith, yet in the last three (S)
years Tin which time we fail to find that
he has done any more than he did his
first term) he has done enough "practi-
cal work" to satisfy Mr.. Smith that he
should be our Moses to lead us out of
the wilderness and serve his 9th term.
We agree with our friend that "events
of the few years just passed indicate
that the spirit of independence is abroad
among the people, and that no man, or
clique of men, can absolutely or even
partially control them to the extent of
delivering their votes to any particular
candidate" and we do not know that
any ''clique of men, has promised to
deliver the vote of Northumberland to
Mr.. Mears. Perhaps some of his friends
have stated that he would carry the
county, basing this statement on the
almost unanimous dislike of Mr.. Jones
in the county, and if our friend will
keep his eye open during the coming
campaign he will find the old court
house rims" (which he fought so hard
with pen and voice in 1909 lining them
selves up behind Mr.. Jones' candidacy.
And Mr.. Smith has repented and come
back into the fold to WELD his mighty
pen! Trusting that our friend from
Sunnybank may put on the armcr of
fair play and possess himself of the
Jewel of consistency, beg to remain,
Yours truly,
A NORTHUMBERLAND VOTER.
Reedville, Va, May %, 1906.
TANGIER ISLAND.