The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1909-02-18
ASKS FOR
CONFERENCE
Chairman Cole Calls One TO Con.
slider Democratic Lesis-
Iative Situation.
ACTS ON SUGGESTION or DELEGATE
GOODRICH AND OTHERS.

Chairman + D.Cole, OF City Democratic
Committee, on suggs stion OF Delegate
T. O'Conor GoOlrick and Others, has re-
quested conference OF the county com
mittee, the city committee and other
Democrats to consider the legislative sit
uetion In this district. The date fixed is
Monday. March let. and the place OF
meeting the Business Mems Association,
this city. Chairman Cole has made pub
lie the following letter received lew
days since from Mr.. Goodrich. the letter
containing the first statement from the
latter as to his position concerning a re-
nomination. The letter is as follows:
Fredericksburg, Va,
Feb. 9th, 1909.
Col. f. ID. Cole, Chairman Democratic
Committee. C:ty.
Ny Dear Sil-As you are doubtless
aware | have not up 10 this time made
any announcement OF candidacy for the
Democratic nomination for the House OF
Delegates. The time has about arrived.
no viewer. when Il II necessary for me to
express myself enc way or the other so
that my friends may know my position
| em not ambitious to hold office, but
feel disappointed. In view OF the hard
work done by me as the delegate from
this district and the success which at
tended my efforts to accomplish some
thiBg Of material benefit to the district
that opposition IN my own party should
have made itself apparent thus early
That there should be any issue raised to
bring about conflict between Demo-
| Gratis In town and In the county Il. IN my
| opinion, t. be regretted, aud can. |
trust. be avoided by action on the part
oil leading Democrats In city aud county
The suggestion has been made to me- and
| believe also to you. by prominent citi-
Tens of the county that conference be
he'd In fredericksburg, to be partici-
pated 10 by the Democratic committee
men 10 city aud county and other Demo-
Gratis outside OF the two committees who
| may care to attend, at which conference
the matters 10 Issue may be discussed
and some conclusion seachs q satisfactory
to ell.
Speaking for myte.il want to say that
| heartily approve of this course OF &C
ton and request you to call this confer
ence In the next two weeks. have re-
ceived from Spotsyivania county numer-
erous assurances OF support Tor renomi-
nation. and have been favorsbly ap-
p-oschsd by marty every business man
10 fredericksburg 10 relation to my can
did-cy, but before reaching any decision
l am anxious TO see n the whole mattel
cannot be adjusted as above outlined. 20
that there may be no friction In the
party.
Ifmy suggestion. which IL not original
with me. however meets with your ap-
provai and there T. No objection on the
part Of the city and county committee, !
hope you will carry 10 out. aud II you
gentlemen OF the conference can reach al
agreement. which | have no doubt you
can,l will most cheerfully abide by same
no matter what it may be, and presume
that other prospective candidates will DC
likewise. OF course, II this conference 4.
called IL should be Understood that there
will be no further campaigning ON tn,
part OF anyone until after it has met and
adjourned, and it should be further under
stood that neither myself nor Mr.. Cole
man, who | am informed, expects TO run
will b- present. 80 that there may be nc
embarrassment caused by our presence IL
the meeting. | add this because he anC
myself are members OF our respectiv,
committees.
Very truly yours.
c. OConor Goodrich.
Fredericksburg. Va.
Feb. 18th, 1909.
Mr.. c. O'Conor Goodrich. City.
ID ar sir-lo reply to your letter O
Feb. o, i beg TO say that after consult
ing a majority OF the city committee an,
other Democrats In city and county,
have today written members OF tn
county committee requesting them to al
tend conference such Is suggested {,
be held at the Business Nen's Association
rooms here on Monday, March l. as /.
| ~
side oil the two committees. either In cit,
or county. will be welcome.
Very truly,
K. ID. Gle. Chairman.
Col. Cole. acting on the above lette
and with a desire to bring about har
mony in the party, has sent the follow
! ing letter to each member OF the count,
/ committee;
Fredericksburg, Va.
Feb. 10th, 1909.
] Dear Slr-Under date Feb. 9th, 1905
3 an In receipt OF q letter from Mr.. {
. OConor Goodrich. the present represer
tative from this district in the House c
Delegates, requesting me to call confer
ence Of the city and county Democrat
: committeeman and other Democrats {
the town and county, at the Bushes
Mems Association rooms, In this city. o
Monday, March 1st, at II O'Clock, 70
the purpose Of discussing the situatio
, concerning the party nominee for thi
year. Mr.. Goolrick informs me In HI
letter. which have given to the press
9 this city, that this conference has bee
suggested to him by leading Democrat
In the county and city. and 1t has als
J been suggested to me by Democrats iroI
;, the county.
l am writing. therefore, to rogue.
. your attendance at this conference, an
trust that you will make q point
being here.
Kindly inform me at once as to wheth,
!, you will be able to attend.
Very truly yours,
Z. ID. Cole,
a Chairman City Democratic Con
In addition to members of the tv
committees, Col. Cole says all Dem,
i Gratis, either In county or city, are Il
vited to attend the conference and OFF
any suggestions they may see fit. N
Goolr;ck having offered to abide BY Il
decision OF the conference, II one is reac
ed. 1t Is thought that Mr.. Coleman w,
70 do likewise, and thus pave the way Il
an amicabIe adjustment of the who
matter 10 issue.