The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-01-25
Weather forecast for Fred
ericks6yr0 and oicinttV.
Thursday probably rain, east
aoindS.

The Virginia Legislature Monday
adopted q joint resolution inviting
VIM. Jennings Bryan, 1.-THE greatest
living exponent Of the time honored
principles Of the Democratic party,
to address that body lat such time
during the present session as may best
snit his convenience.
A similar resolution was offered In
the Maryland Legislature few days
ago, and referred to the appropriate
Committee, where it is supposed 1t will
be buried. without the possibility OF
resurrection. In referring TO this action OF
the Maryland Legislature, which is just
as applicable 20 the action OF the Vir-
ginia Legislature. the Cecil Democrat
said that the author Of the resolution
aud other members should know that
the State Legislature Is not a political
convention, but an assembly OF repre-
sentstives. charged with certain duties,
the faithful discharge of which is ex'
pected by their constituents without
reference to politics. Because q legisla'
tive body 10 composed largely OF one
party IL no reason why it should be con-
verted into campaign society to ad'
vance the interests Of that particular
party"
But Ii is said that merely inviting
Mr.. Bryan TO Richmond to address she
General Assembly is not all there is in
this action, but that 1t is understood
that the expenses are TO be borne by
the State, OF this understanding the
Richmond papers are silent. but the
correspondent Of the Baltimore Sun
says the resolution carries with IL an
understanding that the Legislature is
TO bear all the expenses incident TO
Mr.. Bryan's visit here TO deliver the
proposed address. This correspon.
dent further says that 1.-TWO years ago
the Legislature invited Represen'
/. tative Bailey. Of Texas. here to deliver
an address. Nothing was said at the
time of paying the expenses Of the WIS.,
tors trip. After his departure a reso'
luton was passed by the two houses
authorizing the payment OF several
hundred dollars incurred in entertain
ing the Texas orator There was some
littlr surprise among few Of the
members that such bill was present.
ed, but Its payment was ordered. There
will be no such Misunderstanding
shopld Mr.. Bryan come here, as 1t Is
pretty well understood that the Legis.
lature is to be his host and foot all the
BILLS"
Waving the question OF the right,
and even the propriety, OF the Legis'
lstuse to invite Mr.. Bryan to address
is, we do insist that it has no moral,
II IL has the legal right, to pay the
expense out Of the public treasury.
The Treasury is the receptacle for the
taxes Of all tax. payers. Democrats, Re-
publicans, Populists, Prohibitiontists.
and other political parties il there be
any in the State. including that collect.
cd from the property Of widows. mi
norc, and non.residents. And every
cent taken from the public funds Is
that much taken TO advance the poll
tiosl ambition Of Mr.. Bryan and q di-
rect contribution to the Democratic
party. That is just what it is,
nothing more and nothing less
Is IL right. then. to make other poll
steal parties In the State, the widows
and orphans and non-residents all con-
tribute to Mr.. Bryan and the Demo.
cratic party? OF course not; and we
venture the assertion that II either one
Of the political parties alluded to was
strong enough to compete with the DEM
ocratic party at the ballot box in State
elections, this action would not have
been taken with the understanding
that the expense was TO be paid from
the public treasury. If it is true, then,
shat an expenditure would not have
been made under such conditions, the
fact that the present General Assembly
10 composed almost entirely Of one
political faith, does not justify this
action.
p. s.-since the above was in type
the discussion in the Senate on the
subject Of paying the expense has been
published. While some hold to the view
that the passage Of the resolution car
ries with It provision Tor the expense,
il is agreed by members that the
charges shall be paid by subscription.
We shall see.