The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1909-04-08
POLITICS RAN HIGH
Crowd atSpOtsyIyania COurt-usten
TO Vigorous Speech By
Mr.. GOOlrick.
Mr.. coLtMaN'S PLATFORM
NJ 7 StOksIsy colsman Also Speaks =
Gookes's Reply. &c.

zens n more exciting political day than
was participated la by the people OF
Spoteylvaoia and Fredericksburg at
Sf.pts'lvania &. N. Monday.
it haf been heralded far and wide that
Hon. &. OConor GoOlrick would make q
speech aud give an account OF his ste ward
snip AS a member Of the Legislature aud
also that his opponent. Mr. C. Richrlieu
tOlemao, would speak or be represented
by some friend aud have presen, cd his
claims 90 be- sent by the people Co the
Legislature In place OF Mr.. tioolrick.
The people began to assemble early
aud continued to come from every sec
tion oi the county until noon, when the
crowd numbered fully five hundred.
fredericksburg was also represented by
at least fifty voters. Feeling ran high,
as was attested by the groups OF men
discussing the canvass between the two
candidates for the primary and the
events likely To take plec. during the
day. Coleman's friends were out In a
ratio OF about to In his favor, but
Goolrick 5 friends were there and what
they lacked In numbers was made IN In
enthusiasm for their candidate.
There were many exciting episodes
during the day and IL looked at one time
as II there might be trouble, but better
reason prevailed and not blow was
struck, although the lie" was used at
one stage OF the proceedings
The courthouse was packed when
Goodrich took the platform at 30 p. IN.
MR GooLmCK's SPEECH.
j. Wallace Massey, secretary OF the
Democratic Committee, was delegated
by County Chairman & X Coleman to
Introduce Mr.. GoOlrick, which he did I'm
fitting words Mr.. Goolrick commenced
his 81 eech with a tribute TO his opponent.
Mr.. Coleman, who had always been his
personal friend and for whom he ALWAYS
has had highest regard He said at the
request OF II large number OF Democrats
he was again Il candidate for the I.egts-
lature; that he had endeavored 10 repre-
sent the people OF Spotsylvania and
fredericksburg. and as Co how well he
had performed that duty his record
would show. he explained the much
discussed promise that he would not be
come q candidate, which be said was a
personal compact between the late DR.. L.
Massey and himself The promise
was that he would give way to DIR.
Massey To run this time. but as DR..
Massey was no longer living be felt that
be was absolved from that promise.
hence he was a candidate.
be then took up the communicate n
which has appeared IN the newspapers
under the nom de plume oiHonor Bound
ADD said Mr.. W. II. Miller, OF Goodloe,
assumed the responsibility OF She article
but that II was not written by Miller.
that II was typewritten IN Frederick
burg. where all the paid articles 10 the
newspapers had emsnatsd: that he had
written Nj. Miller "a letter asking him
questions and Mr.. Miller had not deigned
a reply.
At this time Goodrich was interrupted
on all sides and questions fired ut him
hot and heavy. He answered several.
but the volume increased aud he said: Il
would rather not be interrupted until /
get through. when l will answer any and
all quest iOns." This stopped IL for a " lille.
and when IL commenced again Mr. White
mounted the stand and appealed To the
audience TO give the speaker "a fair
show"
Mr.. Goodrich resuming said: Mr.. Lee
J. Graves. whom you all know, said In
fredericksburg last week n Goolrick
goes to spotsylvania court Monday be
VIII be hooted down. am here, gentle
men, and | knew the people OF Spotsy l.
vanis too well to believe they would be
guilty OF such an injustice To their repre-
sentative who had done his best for
them"
he then took up the two communica-
tons OF Mr.. J. G. Pulliam, of Mt. Pleas.
ant which he had stated IN the news-
papers he would answer. He asked il
Mr.. Pulliam was In the audience and no
response being given, said: IL knew he
would not be here" Said he: list.
have already explained why am a can
didate again. 2nd. ! voted wet 10 the
election last May In fredericksburg. I'd.
voted for the Ward law. did not
have the time before its passage TO tn ~
oughly examine said law as to its con-
stitutionality. When the liquor people
OF Fredericksburg requested me TO act as
their attorney, | consented, as any law
yer would do. The next day the dry
people made the same request OF me.
thanked them for the compliment and
told them that my services had been en-
gagged by the vets. | acted 10 legal
capacity and would do so again under
similar circumstances. You know the
platform upon which | stand, to-wit: 1t
is the same as that ofTucker and Mann. 8"
At this point Rev Decatur Edward arose
and propounded a question TO which Mr..
Goolrick replied. Cries OF sit down, cit
down." Mr.. E turned and said: ~ Will
not sit down. Some Of you come over
here and try to make me sit down"
Mr.. Edwsrds-"Did you not contend
In your fathers court that the Ward law
was unconstitutional"
Mr.. Goolrick-"You know well that
did do this In the interest OF my clients,
and know that you, a minister OF the
gospel. have been tramping the city OF
Fredericksburg In a political campaign
working against me-"
Mr.. Goodrich gave a detailed report OF
his connection with the r., +. & p. K. Il.
parallel and the Normal School bills,
both OF which he introduced, the pension
bill and other matters. He ended by
reading the closing section OF his plat
form as published and then said:
NOW, gentlemen, come on with your
questions; | am ready to answer" There
was silence for several minutes and Mr..
Goodrich came down from the platform.
Mr.. coLEMAN's PLATFORM.
Mr.. C. Richelieu Coleman, candidate TOR
legislature, arose and read his platform.
which stated that he had been secretary
of Electoral Board for three years. hav-
ing been appointed by Judge Mason.
clerk OF Berkeley District School Board
shat he had never been elected to any
office by the people except chairman OF
Democratic COMMITTEES. He Is not a
speaker, not lawyer. a plain, practical
farmer and In touch with the people.
Pledges TO use every effort for Normal
School, is in sympathy with and favors
all temperance laws, will vote to submit
Statewide prohibition to the people II
elected, fevors increase Of Confederate
pensions, will promote free schools,
! favors reelection OF Hon. John +. Mason,