The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-03-28

c;xtb. district had gone 60 Cuba Tor the
horoe. NJ his heat IN and that he would
No. be candidate for reelection 10
1900 His health has been indifferent
for many months, owing in part no
doubt. TO his arduous labors IN Con
gress. for he is an incessant worker In
behalf Of his constituents. The next
session of Congress viii be most try
ing one, and he will have but poor
opportunity for oonvalescence in su'h
an ordeal. We cannot but think there
fore. that il would be 8 wise thing IN
Congressman Otey TO yield to health
considerations. and retire from the
tormenting exactions Of public life that
have already overtaIed his strength
In fact we think Mr.. Otey ought not to
hesitate on his point. and feeling
sure that ne will have the good Judg-
ment 70 put the conservation OF hl'
health above the empty bubble oi poll
ticsl honofs. falsely so.oalled, The Fre'
Lance will gracefully glide into the
arena Of the Sixth District and nomi-
nate for its next Congressman
gentleman who is exceptionally fitted
nv native endowments Of the highest
order. and wide aud varied cultivation
and ACCOMPLISHMENTS, and by long and
honorable experience in public life, to
represent that district in the National
Congress. and TO recall the former days
Of yirrinia's renowu when her in
fuence in the councils Of the nation
was felt and acknowledged throughout
the length and breadth Of the land. tie
Is a gentleman who has had an eIper'
ience-a distinguished experience
in halls OF Congress, in the
college Of presidential electors IN
the state and the national Demo
cratic committees, and IN many other
prominent positions to which he was
called BY his conspicuous abilities
and by his elevated personal character.
The well informed reader will sn'ici.
pate that we refer to the Hon. John
Goode OF Bedford Ii is no disparage-
ment TO any man in the sixth district
to say that Mr. Goode has no peer for
ability and experience, and 1t 10 no
disbursement to Virginia's congress
sional representation TO say that It
Mr.. Goode were one Of the number
he would easily stand at its head for
soundneEs Of judgment, brilliant foren'
sic powers, and potent influence in the
Of congress
Mr. Goodies honorable and notable
public career commenced almost i'm
mediately upon his attaining his mAJ'
ority. After completing with honor
his college course at Emory and Henry,
and his professional studies at the Lex
ington law school Of the distinguished
Judge peterborough. he came 10 the
bar in 1851, and was the same year
elected to the Legislature from his ma
tive county Of Bedford. defeating one
Of the most prominent Wings in the
county. In the Presidential csnvAsses OF
1882 and 1866 he was one Of the Vir-
sinia electors on the Democratic ticket
In 1881 be was chosen to the responn-
bic position AZ member OF the State
convention. the Secession Convention
.s n Ia called. and he was, we believe
the Youngest member OF that august
and memorable body. At the outbreak
Of hostilities he Joined the army, a.
member Of General Jubal Early's staff,
but in the beginning Of the next year
he was sent to the Confederate Con-
gress. and = second time elected 20 the
same body. He was for eight years b
member Of the National Democratic
Committee. Having removed to Norfolk
In 1865. he was the next year sent to the
Legislature from that city, and in 1874
was sent TO Congress from the Norfolk
district. He was for six years Congress
man from that district In 1885 he
was appointed by Cleveland to the re-
spouable and honorable position OF
Solicitor General, and discharged its
duties with marked ability until he was
defeated for confirmation in a Republi-
can Senate by the influence OF Gen.
Malone
We indite this from such general
knowledge Of DIR. Goode s public career
as is familiar to all well-informed Vir-
ginians. and we have. no doubt, omitted
many OF the distinguished services and
tokens Of public appreciation that have
marked the course Of this eminent
man. He is modest man, averse to
thrusting himself forward. But how
appropriate would 1t be for the public
sentiment Of the Sixth district to assert
itself above the din and strife OF self
seeking politicians and call to the