The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-05-18
Weather forecast for Fred
erickSbur0 and ricinitV.
Fair and cooler THurSddy.


The Free Lance has noted the salts
faction of the Richmond Dispatch and
Times with the outcome of the May con-
vention, and in its last issue published
some of the views of the other side
These reflections occur to The Free
Lance, viz. That the object of the
May convention is not approved by the
Democratic party Of Virginia As
proof Of this, whilst the convention
was attended and participated in by
Attorney General Montague and Con-
gressmen Jones, Lamb and Rixey. it
was not attended or approved apparent
" by Senators Daniel and Martin or by
Congressman Young, Eppes, Swanson,
Otey. Hay. Quarles or Rhea So that
of Virginia's Representatives in Oon-
gress nine were conspicuous for their
absence. Nor was Gov Tyler or State
Chairman Ellyson there. and Lieut..
Gov. Echols did not attend, nor gave any
sign Of approval of the meeting. And it is
known that Secretary of the Common.
wealth Lawless was opposed TO the con-
ference, and probably all or nearly all
of the basement officers were like
minded
1t was a curiously contrived meeting.
Some counties and cities sent delegates,
whilst the rest consisted Of anybody
who chose to attend. Congressman
Jones was quoted as saying that 80
counties elected delegates. but little
over one-third of those in the State,
yet Of those so electing, no one
was present. as The Free Lance is In
formed, from Westmoreland, and King
George neither elected any delegates nor
was any one present from King George
as The Free Lance is Informed. And
If q bugle blast for Democrats had been
issued by Chairman Ellyson, Ashton,
Bevan and other Democrats from that
county would have Joined the process
sion." Congressman Rixey's name
headed the call, yet Culpeper sent no
delegates, and State Senator Jeffries
took no stock in the movement, and
openly proclaims for Martin. Not only
did King George elect no delegates. but
neither did Caroline, Stafford or Spot
sylvanis, all within the circulation of
The Free Lance, though some gentle
men from each county attended.
In the doubt which existed as to
whether it was "a theory or a cOndi-
ton" which the May conference was
called to consider, few gentlemen on
Monday night, May 9th, met in the
Mayors Office here, probably not more
than dozen or fifteen, and agreed to
60 down. Quite number Of them. as
The Free Lance learns, made it con-
venient between the acts to call on Sem
ator Martin, and if they didn't smoke
the pipe of peace, they at least enjoyed
the Senator's courtesy and joined him
in the smoke of good cigars.
1t will be observed that State Senator
Harding Walker prOnounces for Con-
gresham Jones as a candidate to sue
coed Martin, and yet, unless we are
misinformed, a bare majority of one in
the five counties of his senatorial dis
trict was represented at Richmond last
week. If il be true that Westmoreland
and King George were unrepresented,
and Prince William held no meeting to
send delegates to Richmond. And
even the Virginia Democratic
Association at Washington, which,
under Biscoe and Harper as presi-
dents. has been SO helpful to the
Virginia Democracy in their fights was
unrepresented, though Mr.. Harper, its
active and efficient president. was there
as q Loudoun delegate.
Now the conference has requested the
State Committee to call State conven-
ton, and with only one avowed candi-
date for the u. s. Senate 10 the field,
and In the face of the facts that Gen.
Fitz Lee and Walton Moore. who had
each expressed an intention TO run. had
declined and in the face Of the fact
that the conference, with practical
unanimity, refused to name candi-
date. If when the State Committee
meets there is announced candidate
for the u. s. Senate in opposition to
Martin, then with some argument may
fight be made for the assembling OF a
state Democratic Convention to con-
sider the matter, for the State Commit
tee. in view of the action at Roanoke,
win hardly go faTther II at that time
Martin 10 the only candidate, then u