The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1909-04-24
CAROLINE
Interesting LsttH From Spzts-"A o." on the
eubsdnstorIsl Contest. Etc.
Sparta, Va, April %, 1903.

Sparta, Va, April %, 1909.
IL has been quite a while since you
have had a word from this commu-
nifty. But really we are quiet and peace
able people and startling events are
almost unknown among US
We have been greatly disturbed by Ell
tensive and destructive forest fires VIII
the people never learn that IL is unjust to
leopardlEe the prosperity and homes of
Others by the lack OF the strictest care
In regard 10 fire? The carelessness
sometimes shown Is outrageous. During
the last n years the county has lost
not less than seventy. five thousand dol
lars by these forest fires Is there nothing
that can be done to teach our people the
folly oil allowing this useless waste TO
continue2
The mild wiLtsr was also one OF the
healthiest | have known, but the spring
has been marked by much sickness
Among those who have been recently
laid up with grip and kindred troubles
are several members OF the families Of
Mr.. NJ. F. BeaEley, Mr.. Phillips Rolph.
Mr.. Wan r. Beazley and Rev. Andrew
brOsddus. The last named has been con-
fined To his home for several weeks
unable To preach or fulfill any oi:his
engagements.
Little interest seems To be taken IN the
gubernatoriai nomination. Both candi-
dates have their following Some who
were supporters of Judge Mann five
years ago are now opposing him be-
cause Of his vote ia the Rhea matter
While | think &c Was shown that Judge
Rhea's reputation was not such as =
man ought To have for the position he
holds. IL does seem To me rather unfair
u heap on Judge Mann the chief blame
OF Rhea's confirmation when every men,
Der OF the committee OF Investigate
except one, favored the combination and
a majority of the Legislature upheld
their report. And isn't it strange that
there are those who thus heap ON Mann
their bitterest maledictions and who at
the same time have been and continue to
bc the most ardent supporters of the
Governor who made the appointment
aud used all his influence to secure the
confirmation, and whose responsibility
Tor IL Is lar greater than that OF any
other man In the STATE? Please under
stand that am not upholdingor defend
ing Judge Mann in this matter. am not
But do Ike tn see people just, and It is
not Just TO blame one man almost
wholly for an act which was shared as
largely by others.
There is one other thing | wish to say
to thoee who may read these lines and
who are really the friends of temperance
legislation. Judge Mann has been act
lively and prominently connected with
about all temperance legislation IN this
state Tor tho past ten years or more
To him more than To any other one man
We owe many OF the laws now on the
statute books controlling or prohibiting
the sale of liquor. Now that temperance
enactments have become popular and
many have flocked to the standard.
let US not forget what we owe this man
who fought Tor US 10 the days when It
was unpopular To do SO. In the dark
days OF our need he stood by US at the
risk OF his own public career. Shall We
now be so ungrateful as to turn our
backs on him and give our support to
one who, so far rs | am informed, never
raised his voice for temperance until he
became n candidate Tor the governor.
ship?
Since the foregoing was written our
people have been shocked by the killing
near Brandywine. in this county, OF a ne
gro. named Edmond Mercer, bg +. ].
Bullock OF that neighborhood. Bullock
aed. but was promptly pursued by Con.
stable Muscoe Taylor and captured AnS
lodged In jail. The promptness. courage
and skill with which Mr.. TAYLOR die-
charged his duty are worthy OF the high
est communication. II we had such ei-
ncient officers as he In most OF the offices
OF the county We would soon see @
brighter day dawn for Us. But, alssl
draw the veil.