The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-04-04
REPUBLICANS.
OPEN LETTER FROM CHAIRMAN
PARK AGNEw.
Advice to HIS Party on Constitutional Cor
Vention.

Hon. Park Agnew. chairman OF the
Republican State central committee, has
issued acircular letter 10 the Republicans
of the Staten which he said
In sympathy with the action of the
State Committee, and in view OF the very
great Importance of the questions to be
determined by the convention called To
meet June II, 1901, for the purpose Of
framing new constitutional for the state.
urge upon every Republican To give
most earnest Thought To the matter OF
selecting proper persons to represent his
legislative district in the councils of the
convention. Ii has been decided 10y the
State Committee that the local organiza-
ton In each legislative district shall Judge
az To the propriety Of putting party
candidate in the field; 10 that II IN OF the
utmost importance that each voter shall
keep himself in close touch with the local
organization of his county or city and
endeavor To throw the full weight Of his
vote and influence In the manner di-
rected by his committee. The law
providing for the creation of new
Constitution provides, also, that 1t
shall be submitted to the vote OF the
people for ratification or rejection; but
care should he taken To demand from
every candidate asking your suffrage II
straightforward public statement ofthe
position he takes on the several questions
of suffrage. support Of free schools, IT
duction of expenses of the state Govern
ment, and for the providing OF honest
election laws. support NO man who viii
not place himself on record in favor oi
these several questions being so settled
| i'm the new Constitution that all of the
citizens of this Commonwealth may bc
benefited and justice rendered 20 all, and
who shall also agree To submit tn the
qualified voters of the Commonwealth
| the Constitution W. u whole, for ratiiica-
| ton or rejection.
I'm those districts in which our party
has a candidate, earnestly entreat you
To render your loyal support To elect
| him; and where il IL believed the part ol
wisdom not To put party ticket III the
| field. YOU are urged To take your cOursc
Of action from your local Committee, tn
| the end that the least Objectionable man
may he chosen.
This convention will be entrusted with
4 questions Oh hutn Nllhl lHbltHA w INV
| citizens OF this State, and 80 powerfully
bearing upon its future prosperity, that
| il becomes the duty Of every citizen to
give his best thought and his whole in
| nuence To the selection of the best men
that can be had, and you should not per
nit yourselves To be misled 10y vague
promises from those who may desire your
support, but require from each candidate
clear-cut statements of position held upon
| those subjects above mentioned.
appeal to the good sense and
loyalty Of the Republican party, and
To- that earnest desire in the heart
of every true citizen for the pros
perity of his State, trusting that
each one will feel it his duty To come for
ward, both upon the day ON which the
Committee or precinct meetings are held
and upon the day of election, with the
determination To do the utmost tO secure
for the State the best talent that can be-
had. that the great duty imposed upon
this Convention may he 80 discharged
| that it may be blessing To the Common
wealth.