Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-07-04

Simmons says regarding the political
situation: 1T Is evident the Republi-
cans and their allies, the Pritchard
Populsts, are making their fight chiefly
to capture the legislature. Most OF
their work Is being done In close coun-
ties and senatorial districts in the west
and white counties of the east. They
are paying very little attention to
strong Democratic counties or black
counties. They don't hope to defeat
the amendment at the polls. but are
using the amendment to stir up as
much prejudice as they can and to mis-
lead uneducated white voters, hoping
thereby to strengthen their legislative
ticket"
Continuing Mr.. Simmons said he had
discovered IL well laid plan on the part
OF the fusionists to defeat the amend
ment even though the people may give
1t an overwhelming majority at the
polls 10 carry their plans. however,
they will have to secure the control of
the legislature.
THE PLAN" said Chairman Simmons,
Is this: III they can capture the leg
islnture when that body comes to cam
vasS the vote for the amendment they
will have It to throw out the entire
vote of county after county upon some
trumped up charge OF fraud or intimi-
dation. until it has thrown out enough
votes TO overcome the majority for the
amendment, and then they will declare
1t has been defeated. They will throw
out the vote from nearly every county
in the Second and Sixth districts that
may give a majority for the amend
ment. and II that is not enough they
Will then throw out until they get
enough.
"Of course the plan will not work,
because they will never get the legis-
Iature. but that such plan should have
been discovered and agreed upon, as
I am reliably informed this one has
been by the fusionists, shows how ut
terly reckless and defiant of the Will of
the people this corrupt combination
Is"
BOARD OF ELECTIONS.
The State Board of Elections met
here yesterday. MIR. Walter II. Neal,
the chairman, presiding
-Four members of the State board of
canvnssers. which is composed. the
election law says, shall consist of the
Governor, Secretary OF State and at
least three members OF the State
Board of Election, was chosen.
The members of the board chosen
yesterday are walter II. Neal. j. d.
MCNEIL. e. S. Wilson and w. G. Lamb.
Mr.. Johnston, the Populist member
of the board. voted for his Republican
Freeman returned the compliment.
The size and color of the tickets to
be voted in August were prescribed.
There are three sizes of tickets the
amendment tickets. All tickets are to
be printed on plain white paper and
are to be three inches in length. The
State ticket Is to be seven and q half
inches in length.
Mr.. Aurora Beaurealis Freeman. the
new Republican member OF the board
from Henderson county, was present
ond discharged his duties for the first
time. Mr.. Freeman says Raleigh is n
warm place. but the people hereabouts
are prepared to prove that the given
name of the Western Statesman is the
hottest thing that has come over the
line in long time.
WANT THE "SHOO FLY"
An effort is being made to get the
8. A. l.. Railway people to leave We'll
don early every morning for Raleigh
md intermediate points and return in
the late afternoon. Such n train would
be great convenience to the people.
The most popular train ever run over
the r. & G. was the Shoe Fly, and
many were the regrets of the travelling
public when 1t was discontinued we
hope to see the advocates succeed.
WOULD BE SUICIDE.
A Charlotte special says:
Jack Self. motorman on n street
car here, drank an ounce of Iaudanum
at midnight last night and then dis
were formed and searched until day-
break. The search continued until late
this afternoon. when Self was found in
q house in Charlotte. He had vomited
the drug. so 1t Is thought he may re-
cover 1t is thought possible that a
woman was the cause Of his rash decd
KILLED BY LIGHTNING.
Allen J. Tolnlinson, chairman of tho
county commissioners. was struck and
instantly killed by lightning Yesterday
afternoon in the streets of Asheyille.
RAILROAD CHANGES.
The Post of this moring says:
Mr.. j. Nd. Turner, the new superin-
tendent of the second division OF the
Seaboard. Will have his headquarters n
Hamlet instead of at Raleigh While
the city regrets very much to give Mr.
Turner up. 1t is more than likely thai
Raleigh will be his nominal home and
that he Will spend a good portion of
his time here.
Mr.. VIM. Moncure, the assistant SUI
perintendent. will have headquarters in
Raleigh.
The change in superintendent and
their territory also necessitates some
shifting among the clerical force Mr..
Chas. Bennett, chief clerk to Mr. Mon
cure. becomes chief clerk to Mr.. Turn
er. He and Mr.. Hunter Lawrence. who
has been with Mr.. Turner all the while.
Will go to Hamlet. This will leave the
Halifax street offices practically de-
serted.
A new Office building is to be built at
Hamlet at once for the accommodation
OF Superintendent Turner and his