Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1907-12-20
THE ROAD QUESTION.
To Mr.. CHOwNINC:

| culCOr Cltlzen:-Ihere is no QueS-
ton in which our people are
more vitality interested than
that OF good roads, no discussion to
which your paper may throw open its
columns more meritoriously than the
oetterment of our public highways.
Therefore as citizen-first as your
representative, directly responsible for
and endeavoring to improve your road
laws, have right to criticise the ac-
ton of any public officer, as 1 accord
mine.
1t is only natural to fear things in
the Heaven above and the earth
below" to which plead guilty. but
our supervisor has not departed to
either realm yet.
meant, of course, political fear. the
kind Mr.. Chowning no doubt experien-
ced in the last campaign, winning as he
did by two majority over a gentleman
practically unknown to the voters in
this district-no cause for congratula-
tion.
Now as to the evidence introduced
IN the shell case: deem this as a sim
pie misunderstanding between the gem
tlemen concerned, Messrs. Chowning
and Landlord; and what Mr.. Chowning
may have told Mr.. Haynie about one
lot OF shells does not disprove that he
also discussed the proposition with Mr..
Landlord, who in a business-like man
ner proceeded to carry out his obliga-
ton as he understood it. Now may I
ask you, sir, to reply to the following
questions7-
DO those shells belong to the county?
If not, has Mr.. Landlord right to take
them up; and if ne has not q am inform
ed you say he cannoD ought not you as
a fair man pay for what you claim he
shall not have?
Will not it cost the county a large
sum to fix this road like it now is, and
can you do so without shells?
Now sir, further: your ox-teams cost
In feed over one thousand dollars per
year. Why not use mules, and give the
county days work for days pay?
No man can say that is now the case.
From how many people was feed
bought last year and allowed to rot in
the weather?
To whom does the unfinished barn
belong and does the county hold deed
for the land upon which the structure
stands?
Does the White Chapel team work
any road in Northumberland county. and
II SO, is our district or county paid for
the same?
Our roads are in fearful condition
and have been so in spots for long
time. People have to unload goods on
the road; buggies are broken for lack
of attention by YOU to our roads:
bridges have dangerous holes in them.
IL our district funds we're exhausted /
would not pen these criticisms, but we
have a large surplus, therefore / have
right to ask why is this?
You cannot hide behind the state |
ment that you could not secure labor.
Tor If your memory serves you made
proposition to take the road off YOUR
lands from Litw alton to Wheaton for
he tax collected, which you turned
Town as unjust to the rest of the dis
net. Then the offer to take the entire
district was made, for five years. for
he net tax; you refused that.
can easily understand why YOU do
ot desire publicity in this shell case.
+ were you would not either-such
n airing of this so unjust and I'M
easonable disposition of so fair a
ebt. The material has been used, it
hows for itself;'pay for it, repent of
our first decision and remember
LAS long as the lamp holds out to burn.
The vilest sinner may return.
satan's up and bu sy a bumin',
Come. sinner, come, If you is comin'.m
Now in conclusion, let me say that ex-
ept for the manner in which YOU clos
d your previous letter this reply
'ould not be written. If / am wrong
a asking the preceding questions /
hall make the amends honorable. You
e just as fair and pay for those shells.
Yours, i
JNo. CURLETT.