The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-02-27
POLITICAL.

The Anti Imperialistic Conference in
Philadelphia adopted declaration OF
principles and decided to call a national
convention.
Judge Samuel II. Williams, of Wythe.
vile. will be a candidate for the DEM
ooratic nomination for Attorney Gen.
eral of Virginia
Elk Senator German, it is expected
will prepare the Democratic national
platform, and may name the vice pres
idential candidate.
Hon. W. j. Bryan in an interview
in Atlanta, Ga, declared that the
Democratic platform would be new
declaration Of Independence.
1t is said that the use Of voting ma
chimes would stop election contests in
courts growing ont Of disputed returns
as the machine makes no miscounts or
mistakes
Representative John Allen, Of Mis-
sissippi, developed the fact in debate
in Congress recently on the sub
ject of inefficient clerks in the de-
partments. that 1, 100 clerks had been
re-instated by the present administra-
tion who were over sixty years Of age.
A correspondent CHANGED to look up
at the directory Of private office build
ing in Washington the other day and
saw the names Of nine ex.Oongressmen
and other ex-officials The inclination
to linger about Washington lie so strong
that men who have taste OF official
atmosphere cannot be content out OF
Washington.
Arkansas is 30 be stirred up on the
question of territorial expansion as the
United States Senatorial question has
turned almost altogether on that sub
ject Senator Berry. who is opposed
to expansion, is opposed by Cover
nor d W. Jones, who favors expan-
sion. Both are Democrats. so far
Senator Berry appears to be in the
lead.
The Executive and State Democratic
Committees will moet at the Jefferson
Hotel, Richmond, Friday evening,
March ,. q call having been issued by
State Chairman J. Taylor Ely son. The
meeting is called 10 select the time and
place for the next State convention,
which convention will elect delegates TO
the National Democratic convention TO
be held in Kansas City July 4th, and
for other business
The opposition TO. William Jennings
Bryan as the presidential nominee Of
the Democrats will it is said, soon as
sert itself. While Mr.. Bryan's name
was signal for applause at the meeting
Of the National Democratic Committee,
his opponents appear to be undeterred.
A conference Of anti Bryan leaders
will be held this week, probably at
New Orleans or some other point South.
The Washington correspondent Of
she Alexandria Gazette says; "Col.
Lige White, president OF a national
bank in Leesburg, Va, who voted
against Bryan in 1896, as all other
bank presidents did. says he intends to
vote for him now. as the silver question
is practically settled, and as on all other
questions the Democratic is preferable
to the Republican party.
By agreement al the Republican eau
Gus to reorgani' the United States
Senate 1t was determined that all
Democratic employees should be dis
charged except one appointee Of each
senior Democratic Senator. This
means that all Of Senator Martins
patronage as far as the Senate is con-
cerned is cut Off. Senator Daniel will
be able TO retain one appointee, who
will probably be Mr.. Arthur Payne, Of
Warrenton, messenger to his committee
This arrangements, however, does not
affect private secretaries or Capitol po-
lice appointments. A number OF Vir-
giniaus will lose their positions.
GRosvENoR AND BRYAN.
Mr.. Grosvenor, in a speech in Con.
gress last week on the Spanish treaty,
said: IF there was one man in the
country who should shoulder response.
bility for the treaty and it's succeeding
that man was William
j. Bryan. Of Nebraska y
Mr.. Bryan in his speech at Atlanta,
replied 1T is true that l favored rati-
fcation Of the treaty, but 1 stated in
my interview, four days after the treaty
was signed. and nearly two months be-
fore it was ratified, that In my judg-
ment we should not only ratify the
treaty, but should declare the nations
purpose to give the Filipinos indepen-
dence, upon the same terms that inde-
pendence was promised TO the Oubans
This opinion was reiterated time and
time again"
Democrats to Ask Hays impeachment.
n.L.-so. Tob.ra,v o. Town, al