Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1908-02-14
Mr.. JONES
DENOUNCED.
Chairman of Board of
Fisheries Makes Hot
Reply to Con-
gresham
Jones.
WHAT SOME OTHERS SAY.
SenatOrs Sale and KeezelI Both
Denounce Editorial in Nor.
thern Neck News
Other Matters.
wednesdays Times-Dispatch.,

X
letter written by Congressman Jones to
member of the General Assembly.
have created no end of comment in
legislative circles. Senator Sale. the
patron of the bill which called forth the
editorial, denounced the article in the
News as malicious falsehood, ema-
mating from a political enemy of the
chairman of the State Board of Fish
cries for the distinct purpose of dis
crediting their work before the people -
The bill which the News so strenuouslv
attacks was introduced by the Senator
from Norfolk with the purpose, he says.
OF creating commission out of the
board, so that it gould sue and be sued.
and also with the purpose of lending
dignity to that body. At present all
suits are directed against individual
members of the board, and large ex-
pense Ito the State) results from de-
tending these suits. This expense could
be eliminated under the provisions of
the bill, the Senator says.
Senator Keezell, chairman of the
Finance Committee and member of the
Board of Fisheries, bitterly attacked
the author of the editorial, SAYING the
statements contained in it were "false.
unwarranted and created for political
purpose. Senator Keezell explained
that the appropriation for the last two
years, which amounted to $51, 600, had
been exceeded by about 81 400, and that
now the board is asking for $50. 900 a
year, out of which to maintain one new
boat and six launches. This" he said.
would certainly Indicate no grab"
WHAT CHAIRMAN SAYS.
Mr.. w. Mcdonald Lee. chairman of
the State Board of Fisheries, who is in
the city attending meeting of the
Grand Lodge of Masons, was approached
on the subject of the editorial. MIR.
Lee charged the Congressman with
doing identically the same thing which
he (Mr. jones' had charged, but was
unable to prove, Virginia Senator
with, in recent campaign, namely, in
huencing, or trying to influence, legis-
lation at Richmond. Mr.. Lee said:
The letter from Hon. w. A, Jones,
Is no surprise to me beyond the fact of
Its having in measure become public. |
That such attack and venomous express
sions of personal hatred were being |
made by that Congressman on the quiet |
was an open secret. | am glad that |
somebody has had the frankness to let |
the public see exactly the state of MIR.
Jones's violent feelings. Though I |
hesitate to account for this feature as
voluntary act on the part of the Con- |
gresham. Perhaps the letter was
handled little carelessly. Mr.. Jones's
feelings toward the present board are
well known.
1T is rightly stated by some of our
friends that he shapes the political |
policy of, and controls the Northern
Neck News; and usually instead of
writing letters, he has this paper as
the conveyor of his denunciations against
me whenever see fit to support any
policy contrary to his sweet will, or do
anything for any man who like myself
may be under his relentless ban.
81 shall certainly, so far as CONGRESS-
man Jones is concerned. not waste anv
time in trying to clear up to him the
criticisms he has labored over anent the
last report of the State Board of Fish
cries; for no matter what virtue might
be IN any act of this board, / realize
that MIR. Jones's fractional and personal
prejudice towards its chairman would
forbid his according any merit due it.
However, so far as the public is con-
cerned, our record is before them, and
upon that am willing to stand or fall
IN the searchlight of the most scrutiniz-
ing investigation, and while | haven't
any great deal of time to spare in
lengthy Investigations particularly when
inspired from the breast of Mr.. Jones.
still. If his utterances against the State
Board of Fisheries have sufficiently i'm
pressed anyone outside of himself. /
court, demand prompt and open in
vestigation, rather than exploitation bNl
confidential correspondence or long-dis-
lance newspaper controversy. There is
not a syllable to be retracted in the
last report of the board, which is ready
with proof to sustain it upon the shortest
notice. His criticisms as to deficit and
revenues extending over thirteen lin
stead of twelve) months, as well as all
other criticisms of the boards manage
ment, are wholly unwarranted and not
to be sustained by facts or figures.
ut does not require any very remark
able memory to recall that this same
Congressman some time back was
stumping the State in violent attack
against one of our United States Sen
ators, and then the burden of one of
his songs was an unfounded charge. to
the effect that the Senator was infiu-
sncing legislation at Richmond. This
vas at that time an objectionable
sig In the eyes of the Congressman, and
ne assembled to his dizzy heights of elo-
ience in denunciations. But so far as
Mr.. Jones's consistency in concerned.
low that he is trying to do some inliu-
encing down here himself, we suppose
hat after all he might readily explain
Kings by the fact that it depends upon
whose OK is gored. So far as the board
s concerned, it is certainly very graft
ying that even after the Jones letter
anne to light, this miserable and dis
reditable place of proposed grab, as
10 ia nlpa Sad m farm = 70 h;lI ,.xo.o ...-.--