The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-12-15
EXCITEMENT IN SENATE
Senator II. T. Wickham Offered
His Resignation.
MADE lMPAssIoNeo SPEECH
Capitol Bill, in Senator Wiekhsm 9
Absence Had Been Reported From
Committee OF Which He Was
Chairman President Refused to
Accent Raslqnation.

Intense excitement marked the session
of the senate Friday. When the session
closed Hon. Henry 4. Wick ham, the senior
member of the body and chairman oil the
finance committee, was engaged IN Writ
ing his resignation from the Senate, IN
which he has served with distinction
since the death some years ago OF MS
father. Gen. William G. Wickham. Expla-
nations of the incidents that led MP TO
this situation followed, and the incident
closed happily without the loss To the
State of the valuable services Ot the SEN
ator from Hanover.
The incident grew out OF the action Of
the finance committee in deciding Friday
morning in the absence OF chairman
Wickham 20 report favorably Mr. Abder
sons bill apprOpriating Sl1O,OOo more
for the repairs, enlargement, aud I'm
movement of the State capitol. There
was no discussion of the report when
made. but when the business Oi the day
had been concluded and the senate was
about TO adjourn Mr. Wickham moved
TO recommit the measure. In doing 80
he spoke in his most impassioned man
ner and used language which some oil the
members construed a. practically lee
ture to the committee.
Mr.. Shackeliord. OF Orange, In e1pia-
nation of his part in the committee nc
ton. In the absence OF the chairman IN
timated that the senator from Hanover
seemed to lecture the committee. Before
the senate had been completed, Mr:
Wickham, in his characteristic spirit aud
manner. interjected: 81 deny any inten-
ton 10 lecture the committee and here
with submit my resignation.
INFESTED oN RESIGNATION.
Mr.. Shackeliord promptly withdrew
his statement. but MIR. Wickham's spirit
was aroused, and he replied that Tor
some time he had felt that he was not in
accord with the prevailing sentiment oil
the senate. and that his action wac not
/ due TO any personal feeling or 10 any al
| front but to his conviction. Mr. Ander-
son. of Richmond. in al eloquent little
speech paid a warm tribute 10 the Han
over senator, and explained his own
course in the matter, the discussion OF
which had precipitsted the dramatic IN
cident
The tribute OF Col Anderson TO Mr..
Wickhsm was loudly applauded, aud
when. a moment later, President Willard
declared that he would exercise his pre-
/ rogative and decline to admit the ques-
ton of the resignation OF the senator,
there was an intense demonstration OF
/ approval.
/ Mr.. Wickham simply asked to with
draw his motion 70 rec0mmit and took
his seat. intending to write out his resig
nation. Senator Opie, OF Augusta, re-
newed the motion to recommit pointed
out the calamity that Mr. Nickham
resignation would prove TO the state,
earnestly appealing 20 him not TO insist
upon it.
Senator Barksdale at this crucial mo-
ment moved that the senate adjourn
whichwas carried without dissent. The
senators gathered around Mr.. Niekham
and earnestly demonstrated with him to
abandon his purpose TO resign, and IN 9
few moments Mr.. Shackeliord was called
over and the two senator's exchanged
mutual explanations.