The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-07-11
FREOERICKSBURGERS
INTERVIEWED.
Things Seen and Heard
Here BY a Washington
Newspaper Man.
Mr.. FITzHUGH ON VIRGINIA POLITICS
And Mr orismond on Some Of the Work
Of the Constitutional
Convention.
VIEWS OF OTHER PROMINENT CITIZENS.

Mr.. T.. q. Walker. Of the Washington
Post, spent "A day and a half in this city
the latter part OF last week. and since
that time the following articles have ap-
peared in the columns of the Post.
MIR. ST. GEORGE n. FITZHuGH.
cone cannot forecast issues any longer
in Virginia. There is no telling what the
people are going To- do. \ sort OF hys-
terra Possesses them, something that
would have been impossible twenty years
ago
In short, vigorous sentences like the
foregoing talked a vigorous man OF about
- years. with welltrimmed white beard
and rounded physique as he sat in his
law office and chatted Of affairs IN Fred
ericksburg and in the Old Dominion. Mr..
st. George r. Fitzhugh is not only vet
eran leader at the Virginia bar, but has
long been closely identified with the best
interests of this. the oldest town OF
the Commonwealth, saving jamestown
alone. Although public-spirited man
and welding influence ~ n Democrat in
politics. be has always eschewed Office
holding. When President Mckinley and
his Cabinet came here in May OF last year
to attend the laying of acorner-stone for
the Butterfied monument Mr.. Fitzhugh,
an ex.Confederate soldier. delivered n
most gracious address Of welcome. which
attracted wide attention. 1t was no sur
prise to fredericksburg or the state,
where Mr.. Fitzhugh's capabilities are
known. But it was a surprise to the
statesmen from Washington, and some
months later the President appointed
him member OF the board OF visitors at
West Point. Although not unapprecia-
tive Of the honor, Mr.. Fitzhugh courte-
ously declined it. He said he could not
spare the time.
The veteran lawyer was speaking pri-
marily OF the Constitutional Convention
and it's doings, but he subsequently APP
piled the same terms to the politics and
politicians of Virginia. "The convention
has been frittering away time on trivial
things" he continued There was the
long debate on that oath question-a
foolish proceeding. would have allowed
those who wanted TO take the oath to do
so. Those who had objections might have
refrained from it. The taking OF an oath
TO support the present constitution
would not have precluded their making
needful changes in it. see the Richmond
DISPATCH refers to the delegates in the
convention as very competent men, as
giants. | believe. That would be very
nice. indeed were it written in sarcasm" "
"But there are very many able men in
the convention" was protested.
cable il a relative term" retOrted Mr..
Fitzhugh.
Speaking OF current politics, he used the
same terse language, indicative OF inde-
pendent thinking and fearlessness in ex-
preston. "The people thought there was
a mighty machine in Virginia" he added,
encouraged by the unwise policies OF Sen
ators Martin and Daniel. With the fickel-
meas of a woman whose nerves are over
wrought, the people have grasped the
coattails of Attofney-General Montague,
who was clever enough as a politician
to gather up the elements OF discomfort.
You cannot tell whether this new dispen-
sation will be permanent. You cannot
tell what the people will do next any
more than you can tell when you put
fifty pieces of paper in bag which one
you will draw out first.
Now we have another machine trying
TO dictate the nomination of an attorney
general. In one of the Richmond papers
friendly to the new regime ! see frequent
prophesies of the strength Of the candi-
date Just put cut by that faction. They
have no instruction of delegates for him
to report, but they reiterate that the
letters he receives from all parts OF the
State assure his nomination"
"What is the cause of what you term
the hysteria in Virginia politics?" Mr.
Fitzhugh was asked.
at certainly dates as far back as 1892, I"
he answered. "Mr Cleveland had disrupt
ed the party. That year Senator Daniel,
then regarded as the idol OF Virginia,
wanted to lead divided delegation to
the nominating convention, himself at the
head of delegates for Mr.. Hill, who al
ways was demagogical character.
Again in 1896, when there was a chance
for Virginia to take self-respecting
stand at the Chicago convention, her
delegates went off after free silver, and
Senator Daniel went with them. Last
year, when it was too late, the Senator
talked of conservatism.
.Is not Virginia swinging back from
free siIver?"
"Her business men are, but it is still
espoused by the rank and file oi the
party"