The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-05-09
The Richmond Conference.
To The Free Lance

To The Free Lance:
The address of certain gentlemen (tor
many of whom | entertain the kindest
feelings, upon which is based the
present agitation in Virginia for the
election Of Senators by direct popular
vote. states that 1.-The demand for "A
change in the method Of electing United
States Senators is 80 widespread aud 50
imperative that the issue thereby raised
cannot longer be wisely or safely avoid.
ed by the Democrats Of Virginia. "
Such is the opening statement Of this
address. Is it true that outside OF Nir-
ginia there is any concern or excite
ment on the subject? Where Is the
State in the American Union where the
people. whether Democrats. Repubi-
cans or Populists. are worked up OF die
cussing or even considering this sub
Jest? | deny utterly that there is one
State or even one neighborhood where II
is lively topic Had there been any such
public sentiment 1t would have found ex-
preston In the Chicago convention three
years ago. or at least been brought for
ward. 1t would have cropped out in
the action Of our State conventions for
years past The movement Is not one
that excites any interest In the other
States of the Union. although the ad
dress recites that recent occurrences in
these States necessitates this reform. Ii
is reserved, therefore, for Virginia 90
discern the disease and supply the rem
edy and the doctor The people of the
United States as mass are discussing
other and some very grave issues and
admitted evils, and il any Of the worthy
gentlemen about to assemble in Rich
mond are going there on the idea that
they are part and parcel Of great ma
tional uprising, then they are going on
vain hope. and there ought to be some
travelling expenses. Asa Judge Of pub
lie sentiment in the Union, the gentle.
man who wrote this address is no bet
ter than old Rip Van Wrinkle. who had
dreamed considerably for long years,
but at least was free from nightmare.
There are very good and substantial
reasons why the body Of Democrats
throughout the Union, and. believe,
also in Virginia, should take no inter
est in this movement II is true that
Mr. Bryan is quoted as favoring it at
one time. but l have read every utter
ance Of this great, popular tribune for
years past, and fail to recall even
sentence of his on this subject. Evi.
IDENTIFY he did not regerd it as being Of
sufficient consequence to distract our
consideration from the great issues
pressing upon public attention still re-
naming unsettled, or to warrant di-
vision Of the great party upon whose
unity must depend all our hopes for the
future. listened TO his matchless ora
tory at the Chicago convention. Not a
word did he utter on this mere side
show in modern politics. My worthy
friend, Mr.. VIM. A. Jones, will con-
firm my recollection Of the speech, and
it is equally true that he did not re-
mind Mr. Bryan at the close that he
had forgotten something. Perhaps, like
all the convention, he was carried off
his feet, and forgot all about this nos
trum which is 10 cure all the ills Of the
body polite. Now. this proposed re-
form is q national question since it in
wolves a change in the Federal Oonsti-
tuition. Why, therefore, does Mr.. Bry-
an pat it asidel answer because he
is not only great orator but an emf
nently wise and practical statesman.
He addresses himself to the great and
admitted evils which threaten our lib
critics. our national prosperity and the
hopes of every producer and toiler in
the land These evils, mischiefs and
expressions are set forth in the Chicago
platform with truth and power hardly
equalled since the days Of Jefferson.
These evils are the product of the in
tolerable insolence and rapacity Of the
money power They involve the pow
erty and enslavement Of the producers
and toilers of the land. First and fore
most Of these stands the grand bankers
conspiracy, by which silver was demon
etized in order to swell the profits of
the creditor class and the office-holding
class at the expense of the producers,
farmers and laborers and this robbery
under the forms Of law is to 90 on not
for day or year. but for all time
Other great and kindred evils are the
refusal of the plutocratic class to pay
by an income tax their fair share Of the
burdens of taxation the issue Of gold
bearing bonds in time Of peace, and the
usurpatiou by national banks of the
Governments power and duty to Issue
our legal tender money. Again, there
was denounced the absorption Of wealth
by few, the consolidation Of our lead
ing railway systems, the formation Of
trusts and pools, the idea of life tenure
in the public service, the imposition Of
onerous taxation, extravaganza in pub
lie expenditure and, above all, govern
ment by injunction, as new and high
ly dangerous form of oppression.
Is il not known to us all that not one