The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-08-24
JUDGE A. W. WALLACE
His Views Expressed at Request
of Certain Citizens.
DECLARES FOR CONGRESSMAN JONES

fitutTlchSUuIBs Va, aug. IL, 10 II
judge 4. Wellington Wallace,
Fredericksburg. Va.
Dear Judge:
knowing your conservative opinio
generally on public affairs and you
temperate mode of expressing you
views, will you oblige us with you
views OF political conditions In Vii
ginia. especially touching the Sena
atorial campaign between Senate
Martin and Hon. William A. Jones
your views to be used for publica
ton. Respectfully,
NJ. y Rowe. b. p. Willis, r. Nc
Cracker. f II Hart, J. X. Rawlings
NJ. G.. Willis. Jr., Alvin Z. Rowe
David Hirsh. f. =. Leitch. NJ G
Willis. John r. Gouldman, Jr.
Lee j. Graves. w. r. Bradley. NJ. II
Willis. J. =. Rowe. G. NJ. Harrison
W. w Weaver. c. w. Nash.
Fredericksburg. Va. Aug. 21st. 1911
Messrs. NJ. b. Rowe. b. =. Willis,
McCrackcn and others.
Gentlemen.
There is "a charm to every man II
the visible expressions OF esteem
such as those contained in your mote
OF the 10th instant and | thank you
therefor.
should not gratutously publish
my views about political conditions
in Virginia. and have not done so
but after the receipt OF your com
feel II is my duty as
a citizen to assist TO what
: deem the right course
OF action. If it is in my power
10 do so. "A community to which
| owe so much and whose confidence
| value. at my time OF life. more
than any temporal concern. There Is
another reason that moves me 10
to your request, and that
is the hope that before | die | may
see old Virginia, my native State
and my home once more governed hJ
men inspired by patriotism,m men who
will raise by instruction the stan
dards OF the people and not descend
to obtain their votes by purchase
and the arts OF the demagogue. and
/ trust that in the expression of
my views | am not influenced by
any prejudice for or against either
candidate;all other things
being equal / should be inclined TO
state that Senator Martins long SER
vice should give him the preference
II 4; was only a question OF men.
although shall not vote for him fob
The reasons | shall give you.
The first and most important ques
ton that confrOnts the voters In
he pending campaign is not whether
4 political ring exists which con-
.rols the State Of Virginia.
But whether the people Of Virgin
In wish to continue to be ruled by
his ring with its growing evils?
Senator Martin and Mr.. Jones are
both subordinate 10 this issue.
Mr. Bryce, the present British Am
bassador TO the United States. in his
work entitled American Common
wealth. Vol End. page rs. de-
lines a ring in the following
language: Those who work the
machine and whose chief aim
In life is to make their living by Of
flee They cement their dominion
by combination. each placing his in
fluence AT the disposal OF the others
and settle all important meas
lrcs in secret conclave Such a
is called a Ring
II would be useless consumption
)f space at this stage OF the pend
ng campaign to 20 into any DEM
Of the patent fact thai
Ring Rule exists in Virginia and has
existed FOR years, that II is one
IF the bad effects OF too large a
Dreponderance in power Of any POI.
itical party Every man Of COM
non sense in this State is now con-
,inced OF the truth Of the editorial
IN the News-Leader of APRIL 1911.
This paper at the time was In
lined TO Martin for Senator. but sub
,equent revelations seem TO have
changed its yiews) The editorial
S as follows:
And II may be admitted for Their
AN be 10 doubt Of the fact that Sen
itOr Martin, Ex-Governor Swanson,
Speaker Of the House r. f. Byrd,
Flood and their intI-
nate friends and supporters practi-
ally control the offices and patro-
lagc OF this State"
There has been no denial OF this
editorial.
The next question then for the
'oters TO consider is What are the
tendencies and natural results Of
his Ring Rule?
To me, the first and most dis
.ressing one is the almost certain
degradation in time OF the polit-
cal morals Of our young men and
he rising young Virginians are to
maintain the honor and ancient fame
# the State If It is to be preserved
Insullied.
Under Ring Rule no young man.
however patriotic. meritorious, am
bilious or talented can aspire
lonorably and independently to as
list In the public welfare and sat
sly a worthy ambition without open
y or tacitly conforming to the be-
tests of the leaders OF the Ring
The result must be necessarily a de-
OF the candidates for
public office and the lowering of the
itandards of the administration OF
he government in all its branches,
Legislative and Judicial.
I'm the second place, Ring Rule is
yranical and unjust.
Political parties should have or
for proper propagation OF
he principles of the party.
But a Ring is an intra-party orga
cation, within the party organization
ormed either formally or tacitly. af
er having obtained the votes of en-
ire party, to exclude those in party
tut outside the Ring from all parti-
.ipation in the offices or in shap-
ng the policies of the party as
whole and of the government.
Could there be any greater polit-
cal outrage?
Faction out of power is n demon
n chains. Faction in power is
doloch of destructioTp"
In the third place, Ring Rule
o perpetuate its power must COM
,el corporate alliance to raise the
money necessary to retain Its con-
rOl, and being dependent on cor
what should be representa-
i've government for the people,
n a measure becomes government
W corporation wealth through the
of men who in time
must degenerate in political moral
ty. know Of no such alliance In
Virginia at present, but corporations
veryWhere consider they have the
light to protect their interests and
I can be done through the Ring
when 1t rules.
Now. I do not want to be mis-
understood. Corporations pay large
axes. The railroads of the country