The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-01-17
JONES ANNOUNCES
HIS CANDIDACY
First District Congressman En-
tiers Field Against Martin.
DENOUNcES THE ORGANIZATION

Representative w. A. Jones has de-
cided to become candidate for the u.
=. Senate to succeed Senator Martin.
1t has time and again been given out
by those who profess to be close to the
First District Congressman, that he had
positively decided to enter this contest,
but not until Friday had he consented to
make definite and authoritative state.
ment for the public as to his intentions.
In making his formal announcement
Mr.. Jones says: | shall be a candidate
at the senatorial primary which will be
held in Virginia in August, next, for
the seat in the U. S. Senate which will
become vacant on the third day of
March, 1918.
have not arrived at this conclusion
hastily and inconsiderately. On the con-
trary, have endeavored TO weigh care
fully the many arguments advanced by
those who have been urging me to de-
clare my candidacy, and | am not I'M
mindful of the difficulties which will
confront any Democrat who may have
the temerity to oppose the political ag-
gregation which fraudelently assumes
to be the regular Democratic organiza-
ton of my State, and thus arrogates
unto itself power and authority which
alone belong to the Democratic party,
and which should only be exercised in
the interest of all the henderson, that
party.
If, as a consequence to the exercise
of my right as a Democrat and Vir-
ginian to enter my party's primary in
my own State | am to be classed as an
"insurgent" or enemy Of the "Organl-
zation," it clearly illustrates the de-
porabe condition into which the regu-
lar party organization has fallen. The
instant any combination or group OF
men in the party, with or without their
own consent, are designated by common
consent as the Organization" or the
machine, refrain from saying are Sc
stignatized, and that any good party
man outside of that political ring is
designated as "anti-Organization" OF
''anti-machine, " situation has arisen
| that demands a remedy. ! repeat, a
serious situation for such combination
is rotten with abuses. The pernicious
combination which delights in styling
/ itself 1.-THE organization, and which has
never scrupled at any means to ac-
complish its selfish ends has always
endeavored to maintain its hold not
merely by degrading office brokerage,
which is merely bribery ill-disguised,
but by actual frauds at the polls. In
/ Virginia, | regret to say, such fraud
has been repeatedly committed at party
primaries. and in consequence of recent
/ judicial decisions, can hereafter be
committed without the fear Of punish
ment.
The pitiful condition Of politics, which
has degenerated into a selfish strife
among professional politicians for the
spoils and patronage Of Office, neces-
sarily obscures consideration of great
questions Of public policy, and so the
people Of a State and the nation suffer
woefully. If senator or other public
officer is chosen because heis member
of or friendly to a certain ring or poll-
/ teal combine called or miscalled the
Organization, the interests of the
people whom he is to represent are
confessedly subordinated to those OF
the ring or combine, or are left out OF
sight altogether. 1t was for this reason
that at the Roanoke convention twelve
years ago | offered the resolution anc
at the Norfolk convention had the SUI
nreme satisfaction of witnessing its tri-
umphant adoption, that gave the Demo
Gratis of Virginia the right to choose
senator for themselves, and not have
the choice made for them by the mem
bers Of legislature chosen mainly fol
other functions. | would not seek thu;
office in any other way than at the
hands Of the people, and propose t
submit all the questions arising out OF
my candidacy to the people of Virginls
face TO face, in every city and county
in the State, as far as time and my
strength will permit. am not unmind
ful Of the odds. The so-called 'organl
cation" or machine" has been loni
entrenched in power. In my opinion
much too long, and | believe the PEG
pie Of the State have become weary o
the intolerable abuses which its unre
strained power has brought upon them
II my candidacy is, as | believe, IN III
interest of the people, have confidence
that they possess intelligence enougl
to decide for themselves, and | know
they possess honesty, and love o
honesty, and that they desire to Sc
fair play, and even if our party PR
maries are to remain without the pro
lection of the law, or such safeguard
as party convention may be able I
provide, should the Organization" SUI
fer one to be called, cannot believ
they will allow me to be defeated b.
corrupt practices and devices. My ap
peal will be made to the people, and
trust they will identify my cause a
their own, and the result Of the election
can cause me no loss or suffering, ex
cept as it may affect them.
My unremitted opposition to the evl
political conditions which | have at
tempted to describe, and to the me
, who are responsible for their existence
and who have profited and continue Z
, profit by the same, is not unknown
| trust to the people of my State. IL
my hope through my candidacy t
,, awaken my acknowledgements OF VII
ginia to a realization of the DANCE
which lies in those conditions, ard whic
can only be averted by the overthrow
and destruction of what is popularl
known as the political machine" an
"office brokerage trust" of Virginia
To the accomplishment of this task
= may be expected to devote all tn
e energy and strength which possess.