The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1909-02-13
PRAISE FOR DELEGATE
e0otRIcKS RECORD

Richmond. Va. Feb sth. 1909
To The Free Lance
l read with considerable interest your
editorial of Jan. 18th, relative to the
representative from the county o! Spot
syivenia and the city Of Frederick sburg
10 the next General Assembly OF Virginia.
ana desire 10 emphasize the position
taken Dy your paper on that question
being inters sted In what concerns your
section OF Virginia.
First, ! want to say that | WAS I'm a
position TO know, not only the value of
your most efficient and aggressive repre-
sentative. Mr.. {. O'COnor Goodrich I'm,
every member of the last Legislature
was personally acquainted with. as
spent almost forty dave. In the two
branches Of that body | desire 10 SAY
that without the persistent. Vigorous
and untiriOg efforts ~ Mr.. Goulrics
fredericksburg would not hove secured
the state Normal School appropriation
last year. lie. however, had the hearty
cooperation of Mr. Aoncure, OF Stafford.
rs well a. the delegates from Tidewater
section Of Virginia. They came nohIv 10
bis aid. but he ed the fight TO a success
ful conclusion against Tremendous odds
when IL had been given no FOR lost by
many members who ielt kindly towardit
and thus secured the first appropriation
Tor the LIST district. 20 which the nsxt
General Assembly Of Virginia should
make a large addition, Or, vided IL IL
properly and vigorously presented TO IL
thus securing for this much neglected sac.
ton OF Virginia one Of the most desirable
institutions 10 the -tste.
A Normal School. with large grounds.
modern school buildings, sn up TO date
equipment and a splendid body OF teach
ers, VIII b. an addition 10 our county
and an educational upllit that will be
worth all the combined eff Irts of the
county and city to have Mr.. Goodrich ~
turned TO the next Legislature, and have
him secure the balance which IL necessary
- make this much desired hope a reality.
do not think that any new member at
this luncture could 50 Effectively push
THIS very Important matter To a finish
a. Mr.. GOOlrck. he Is In possession OF l
vast amount o! Information, which l.
necessary TO secure the best result. which
came TO him as "A result OF very arduous
effort on his part in the last session of
the Legislature, and which a new mem.
Der would have to acquire to be OF any
force In securing this school. la the rush
OF more experienced members TO get their
pet measures through, you may possibly
lose the appropriation next year and
thus delay, and maybe defeat, this i'm
portaDt matter FOR years. And so do
not think the Intelligent voters OF the
county and city can afford to take the
rick at this time.
Mr.. Goolrick's efforts In behalf OF good
roads are well known TO all who took
the trouble to follow his course at the
last session He was the patron OF the
bill which made IL possible u have a
competing line OF railroad built from
Richmond to Washington, to which bill
gave many days OF hard work. Mr..
Goodrich rendered that measure most
valuable service. There are many coun-
ties In the State that receive large
amounts OF money in taxes from the rail.
roads passing through them which ad6s
much TO their revenues. This was de-
MED the counties directly between Rich
mond and Washington before the pas
sage OF this bill Now a competing fine
OF railroad. subject TO county taxes. can
be built. This alone should entitle Mr..
Goolrick to the hearty support OF the
voters oil Spotsylvsnia county. An hon
est hort to secure another railroad that
can be taxed for the benefit OF the coun-
lies through which IL passes, good coun-
~ roads. State Normal School. and
much other valuable effort ia behalf OF
good government, is a good record Tor a
member to make In one session. | do
not believe IN life time In office. but [ do
believe that when representative has
made a good record and has been ia the
Legislature only one term. he Is entitled
TO at least another chance to show his
ability to carry to a successful consum-
nation that for which he fought SO hard,
and be should be given a chance to make
good. There Is too much Involved at
this time to trade horses while you are
crossing the stream. And | think that
the county OF Spotsylvsnla and the city
OF fredericksburg will do well to return
Mr.. Goodrich to the next Legislature.
Yours very truly,
John A. Traylor.