The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1900-03-20
ciropmstances Alter Cases


To The Free Lance
The Free Lance recently said. in re-
fcrring b reported activity OF politi'
ciars in Westmoreland county, lit
seems that Congressman Jones friends
consider that county his stronghold,
and contemplate holding convention
early. so as to give the Congressman q
send.off with the hope Of Influencing
other counties that follow in the selec-
tion of delegates -
This ought to be mistake, as 1t is
well know that the Congressman Is, or,
at least was last year, bitterly opposed
10 early or snap conventions The
calling Of snap conventions by
Senator Martins friends last year was
strongly denounced by Mr.. Jones and
his friends His personal organ, the
Northern Neck News, issue Of Septem
Der I. 1899, said in an editorial, in re-
ferring 20 Senator Martins claims. If
he Senator Martini really believed he
vas in no danger Of defeat, why did be
cause snap conventions to be held in
Richmond and elsewhere -
1t is very true that circumstances
alter cases. " but with the laurel Of vic
tory yet fresh on cur Congressman =
brow. and his wide popularity, there
would seem TO be no need Of apprehen-
sion upon the part Of his friends as to
the need II "send.oh - II is also
true that he has developed many enc.
mics within the last twelve months. 1t
is asserted that his and the Governor 5
friends caused the defeat Of Powers, Of
Caroline. last November. and the elec.
tion Of Pitts 70 the House Of Delegates
and the following from The Free Lance,
# y jyember i6, 1899. under the head
# " Caroline COURT " Is otfered in evil
dence:
The old war horse Of r putlicanism,
SIR W. q. Digges, who was on the
court green. being asked what h.
thought Of the result said, the election
4 Pats l. great Democratic victory
In Caroline What do you mean by
that? asked The Free La1ce. L mean
that Pitts received more Democratic
votes In the county than did Powers -
" Who, " it is asked, could have
cast those votes except the friends Of
the Governor and Mr.. Jones? "
A marked evidence that "circum.
stances alter cases at times is shown
by the following extract from Mr.
Jones organ in juxtep)sitor to other
extracts from the same paper Of later
date In commenting on the Demo.
cratic nomination for Governor Of Ohio
1t uses these words
1t is a significant fact that John r.
Mclean who received this nomination,
l. the editor If the Cincinnati Enquirer,
the most Influential paper in the West.
Yet during the whole Of his campaign
for nomination, he refused 10 allow his
paper TO utter one word in advocacy Of
himself. This high minded course
commanded the commendation OF the
Washington Post, and other leading
journals. and is in striking contrast
with the course Of other papers, which
the public will readily recognize with
out more specific designation. IN. n.
News, Sept. s, 1899.
The following extracts from the News
Of March Q, 1900. appear to show that
circumstances sometimes do alter cases.
In commenting on the endorsement by
the Eastern Shore Of the Peninsula Eu-
tsrprise's criticism of the extract from
The Free Lance. as partially quoted at
the beginning Of this article, the News
has to say
1T shows the high esteem in which
Mr. Jones is held, not only in his own
immediate section but on the Eastern
Shore and in all portions Of the First
District. IL shows that the people Of
this district appreciate faithful service
and that above all they honor the cour-
age Of conviction which Mr. Jones has
so consistently displayed. "
" Seldom" the Westmoreland corre
spondent Of the News, also says in the
same issue:
But l don't hesitate to say that
Hon. W. A. Jones is our preference Of
any man in the District and that we
are solid for Jones and we have
reasons for our preference Of him lst-
Because we know and love him. End
Because we have tried and found him
as true aud faithful TO our best interests
as a man could be 3rd-Because no
district in the United States is better
or more ably represented than ours is by
him. 4th-Because we always want the
best -
These and other puffs OF the same
nature would appear to show a slight
deviation from the "high.minded
course " so freely commended last Sep.
TIMBER But the approach Of the Con-
gressionsl campaign may have some-
thing to do with it all.
The Tattler