The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-03-23
POLITICAL.

The new election bill has passed both
houses of the Maryland Legislature.
A New York Democrat says the fact
that the millionaire, Mr.. Cornelius Van
derbilt. touched elbows with negroes at
Republican banquet of q district club
in his city will increase the Democratic
vote there considerably at the next cleo
ton.
A well informed Virginia Democratic
politician, talking about the gubernato-
rial election in his State, said Col. Mar
shall would receive the vote of the Nor
folk district, Fauquier and some other
counties, and that Northumberland
EchOls would get quite large vote in
the Valley, but that after their names
shall be withdrawn, almost their entire
strength would go to Swanson.-Wash.
Corr. Alex. Gazette.
That is the trouble all over Virginia.
Apathy, embellished much by talk and
no work, il the rule instead of the excep-
ton. and when election time comes and
schemes are worked before their very
ewes. the voters declare that they have
been tricked and that there is no such
thing as honesty at the polls. How can
people expect anything else when they do
nothing to prevent it?-Roanoke Times.
State Senator John L. Jeffries, of Cul-
pepper, has returned to thecity, from Nor
folk. where, with Secretary Lawless, he
attended the st. Patrick's Day celebra-
ton on Wednesday night. When seen
Mr.. Jeffries said he would be here for sew
eral days to argue some cases before the
Supreme Court. Speaking OF politics, the
Senator said: 81 will be nominated for
Attorney General about the first OF
August. Richmond News Item.
Hon. George Y. Hunley, OF Mathews,
came up with his little daughter to look
after some private matters. lie said he
was not candidate for the Convention
and preferred to return to the House this
fall. He said Messrs. Stubs, Catlett,
Maryus Jones, J. Boyd Sears. j. N. Tabb,
Judge Garnett and Judge Catlett are all
being mentioned for the honor, but that
the two former gentlemen were the only
avowed candidates.-Richmond Times.
The sad plight of the Democrats in the
Senate and the House can be ascribed
largely to the lack OF leadership during
the past two Congresses, especiallyin the
last one. In the Senate Mr.. Jones, of
Arkansas, has been recognized as the
parliamentary leader of the Democrats
MFR. Jones has twice led the national De-
mocracy to overwhelming defeat. Since
he has been leader in the Senate a con-
siderable part of the opposition to the
Republican plans of legislation has van
ished and measures have been damned
through the Senate. The minorityin the
House has been as badly of. Mr. Rich
ardson was not only unable to command
the united support of his party, but he
made only feeble attempts to dispute
with the majority. Mr.. Bailey, when
floor leader. had an enthusiastic but lin
tied following and could not do much
during the Fifty-fifth Congress. In the
Fifty-sixth Congress Mr.. Richardson
found himself confronted with compact
Republican majority and the knowledge
that on all financial questions the Demo-
cratic vote would be divided. Atheist he
had a difficult task and ought not to be
too severely censured, but the fact re-
mains that he was unpopular and that
under his direction the Democratic minor
ity was disorganized and helpless. The
situation will probably be worse during
the coming Congress. Ineach branch the
Republicans have agreatly increased ma
iority. There Is little hope of resisting
them in the House, but there is the
chance to riddle their measures in debate
add let the country know the character
OF the legislation beingenacted. 1t would
seem the party needs some new leaders
in the Senate and House as well as at
large.