The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-10-21
FREDERICKSBURG VA. SATURDAY. OcTc
The Next Legislature.

4 letter from Richmond TO tbs
Washington. ID c., Star say
Itis estimated that about oue.fhrd
of the regularly nominated Demo
Gratis will have opposition Tne Re
publlcans have made not moro than
half a dozen nominations. Most Of
those opposing the Democrats are IN
dependents. and in nearly every case
they lain TO be better party men
than the nominees.
The vote in this state wall be less.
probably, than half of the registra-
ton. There has not been IN a great
many years such lack Of interest IN
the general result. The few stump
speakers wbO have been sent out
have found it difficult to get audi
ences of respectable size, and suJ
more difficult to interest the voters IN
the issues.
All Of the big contests sre settled
10 advance. Senator Martin Will
have three fourths II the votes in the
Democratic caucus. though Governor
Tyler will not now admit It. In fact,
be claims he has q fighting chance to
via out. Speaker Ryan Of the house
of delegates will be beaten by +. W.
Saunders Of Franklin county by
practically the same vote that will
re elect Senator Martin Mr. Ryan,
who is from L1udoun county, is the
oldest member in the house IN point
OF service. He was first elected ln
1883, and succeeded Judge X. h.
Cardwell as speaker. when the latter
was elected to the bench of the court
of appeals. Mr.. Saunders WAS badly
beaten by Mr.. Ryan two years ago.
Mr.. Ryan's downfall will be due 10
the fact that he does not speak the
Language of the tribe" 10 other
words, he is not Martin mar. and
Mr.. Saunders is Mr. Saunders has
been member for more than ten
years, and has been = conspicuous
leader on the floor He is the ablest
debster in the house, and IS q very
accomplished psIlismentariau.
Most Of the legislative and state
Ctiicers will be unoppOsed. Henry I.
Wickham will be again honored with
the office of president pro tenn. of the
senate, and Joseph Button, the secre-
tary Of the state Democratic com
mittee, will have no one TO run against
him. Frank B. Watkins Of Charlotte,
sergeant alarms of the senate, will
be reelected, but DR.. W. C. Num- OF
West Point. the doorkeeper Of the
senate, will have opposition.
There is a pretty fight ou for the
clerkship of the house. This Office
was filed for about thirty years by
the late Col. John Bell Bigger When
the colonel died Gov. Tyler appointed
Thomas II. Bigger, the colonels son
to the Office. Young Bigger is run
ming. He has opposition in Judge
W. S. Gooch Of Louisa, William
Henry Mann of Petersburg, formerly
assistant district attorney, who had
10 resign in 1896 on account of toe
active participation in polite; John
T. Loving. the mayor of Pulaski
Clarence T. Boykin, Richmond
newspaper man, and John W. Will
liams, commonwealth attorney o.
Giles county. Most Of the candidates
are making canvass Of the state
The clerk of the house is also keepe
of the rolls of Virginia. 1t is one o.
the best state Offices.
Col. Morton Msrye of Alexandria
who was elected auditor of publi'
accounts in 1888, has been reelected
every two years since that time. H
is not only model officer, but b
left leg upon the battlefield NJ
one for several years has ventured T.
run sgsinst him. He will, as usual
have clear field
Virginia is fortunate in havnI
good officials, and state offices hav
been singularly free from scandal
Treasurer A. W. Harmsn, Secon
Auditor Josiah Rylsnd, Jr., Secre
tary of the Commonwealth Josep
T. Lawless and Superintendent of tn
Penitentisry George NJ. Helms hav
no oppos tiou up to this time. Regis
ter of the Laud Office J. W. Richard
son has clear field, but the geners
assembly two years ago tried t
abolish this position. The court q
appeals decided that the bill was de
fective, and Richardson has held or
The legislature will doubtless abolis
the position. The only state office
who has opposition is the superinter
dent of public printing, J. Il. O'Bsr
non. l.. E. Lookabill of Roanoke
running against him. Capt. O'Bar
non has filled the office for twelV
years.
The railroad commissioner an
superintendent of public instructio
have two years longer to serve. III
governor appoints the adjutans gel
eral, commissioner of agriculture an
ommissioner of labor.
There are several judgesbips to /
filed. A reform will be started
this session. 1t has been the practi(
of the general assembly for son
years to elect its members to Il
bench in most cases whenever the
aspired. The people have been or,
ing out against this evil, and it W
not be an easy matter hereafter for
leglator to be elected by his colleagu
to any Office.