The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-04-11
Mr.. THos.J MoNcuRE, OF STAFFORD.
A card Addressed to the Democratic Dele
gates OF staffo d.

To the delegates recently chosen in mass
meeting at Mountain View to make u
nomination to the Constitutional Con
vention, with the concurrence OF dele
gates from King George:
Centlemen-The unanimous wishes OF
the meeting TO select me AZ the choice OF
Stafford il an honor which | certainly
appreciate and esteem, and if il should be-
the pleasure of the delegates from King
George to concur with Stafford in her
choice, ii would be to me n compliment
and honor which | would especially APP
preciate, because know that King
George has able and worthy citizens, and
that il is natural that she may desire
one of them to represent her Now, IN
consideration of the strength of Stafford
i'm numbers. and M Stafford has instructed
her delegates to vote for me, Il looks assn
Stafford wished TO force her choice on
King George. which am sure she has no
desire to do, nor do | wish il. therefore
take this measure of requesting the stat
ford delegates, il they feel ut liberty,to do
40. to act with the King George delegates
when they meet, independently and re-
gardless of instructions.
You. gentlemen, know that have not
sought this nomination, and that | have
never been n politician; but, having been
requested by so many of my countymen
To represent them. did not wish To de
cline the request; hence, if you, in meeting
with the King George delegates, choose
to name some other person for your dele
gate to the convention, | shall not be
disappointed, and will cheerfully endorse
your choice The position is one OF ardu-
GUS labor, requiring much research and
patience. and from which should shrink;
but think that no citizen has the right
to decline 10 serve his people To the best
of his ability when called upon TO do so
Hence. if il should be the desire of the
Joint convention of delegates TO name me
for their representative, | will cheerfully,
if elected, undertake my small part in
formulating Constitution for the state,
and use my best efforts to discharge my
duties to the satisfaction of the people.
have been frequently called upon to
express my views on various questions
which will be considered by the cOnven-
ton. but have not done so because the
subject il a vast one, each item requiring
much thought, and decisions TO be made
after being debated. | think. however
that the most important item is the cost
of State Government. which, in my Opin-
ion. should be reduced, il it is possible TO
do 80 without impairing the efficiency Of
the Government | understand that the
States of Georgia and North Carolina
each costs about one-half of the cost Of
Virginia. There are many other ques-
tions which cannot hope TO answer or
decide upon before hearing them fully
discussed in convention.
The question of suffrage has been the
one that has been most enquired OF, and,
in my Judgment. il one of the least i'm
portance. am unwilling todeprive any
citizen of his right To vote, except Tor
crime or non-payment of taxes, because
see no reason for il, a. our state Govern
ment il now in control of it, substantial
citizens Our ten congressman, our Leg
islature and our judges. and in general,
the various county officers, are either
Democrats or substantial and efficient
citizens of the other party, which indi-
Gates that the voters were capable al
making proper selections. also iavora
reference Of the Constitution 10 the people
for ratification.
am, respectfully,
Thomas j. MOncure.