The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-04-11

Some time ago The Free Lance OBJ
sorved a statement in the papers made
by Senator Quay, as stated, that when
.t,o NOW hattleships were named, that
one Of the new battleship was to be
named Virginia. yet, the names have
heen chosen and Virginia is " not IN
if " If either Senator Martin. or Con-
gressman Rixey. each of whom Is a
member of the Naval Committee, IN his
respective House, lifted finger to
have one named Virginia the semt-oil'-
cial statements make no mention OF H.
The Free Lance believes that II these
two gentlemen had acted together ana
earnestly that one would have been SO
named. 70 the great delight Of all Nir'
cinia The Free Lance. therefore. I'M
I'll better advised, holds these two gen
tlemea largely responsible for this fail
ure and if mistaken will gladly make
proper correction
II seems that Pennsylvania petitioned
through Gov. Stone, Senators Quay and
Penrose. and the entire delegation IN
the House Of Representatives. New
Jersey made her plea through VICE
President Hobart. Attorney General
Griggs. Gov. Voorhees,, ex-Seorstary
McAdoor. Senator Sewell, the Board OF
Trade Of Jersey City and many COM
mercisl bodies
Georgia did not even petition the
Navy Department, and it is believed
that the choice of Southern state was
due to desire by the President to
compliment those with whom he visit
cd on his recent Southern trip. Sem
tor Elkins and the Congressional dele
cation was most active for West Nir'
ginia Representative Mercer made 1t
his business to besiege the Navy De
partment wish petitions for Nebraska
The choice Of California also seems TO
be a personal compliment, without the
same effort shown in other States The
same rivalry was shown among the
cities the Mayors, City Councils
chambers of commerce, &c. joining IN
the pleas Naturally, with but twelve
names to assign. there must be many
disappoiutments.
The Washington, D. c., Times re-
ferring to the naming Of these battle
ships and evidently disgruntled that
one was not named Virginia, says
Secretary Long said when his at
tention was called 10 the fact that Nir-
ginia had been Ignored and was en-.
titled TO consideration, that ne would
most certainly urge that the next battle
shin authorized be called for this state
He had asked the President this time
he said TO call one Of the battleshlps
Virginia. but it had been decided to
give West Virginia the preference Mr.
Long insisted that Virginia had been
honored by having one Of the new ships
called the Yorktown, but that name,
he was told, was for the battle rather
than for the village, whose population
scarcely equals the number OF men on
the gunboat bearing its name.
1t was pointed out to him that West
Virginia already had the Wheeling
and that it was unjust TO Virginia TO
be ignored when every other Atlantic
border State has either battleshlp OF
cruiser named for II OF some OF It's
cities. He admitted that the arguments
presented seemed well taken and was
apparently surprised when told that
MARYLAND had been hOnored by having
three vessels in the navy called AFTER
its cities and the bay, while Virginia
had been left out repeatedly when the
question Of naming warships was under
consideration.