Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-07-31

just tWO days now until the COnStitu-
tional franchise and general State cleo
lions. and the general interest and anx-
iety intensifes with each passing day.
Thus far, with all the RedShirt dem
onstrations and apparently impending
clashes between factions and races, no
serious trouble has developed any
where. and prominent politicians in dis
cussing the situation tonight express
the opinion that there will be none un-
less some move is made by the anti
amendment leaders, Senator Butler and
others. on the eve or morning of the
election TO block the election by in
junction. or otherwise. This is the chief
cause of apprehension.
1f'the election is not blocked and pro-
ceeds regularly the majority for the
ratifcation of the franchise amendment
Is estimated by leaders here at any
where from 10000 to $4,000 on the
other hand. If there Is interference by
Butler and his followers, II is almost
certain that there will be bioodshed in
many parts of the State, especially In
the east. as the white supremacy sup
porters would brook no interference
not even that of iniunctions from the
United States courts. This is the move
that the Democratic campaign leaders
are apprehensive will be sprung on
thom AT tire last minute
1t is Ia be ready for any such move
ment that the Legislature convened to-
day and will adjourn from day to day
until the election IS over.
POPULISTS HAVE TROUBLE.
The PoDulists are having much trou-
bic about their county and legislative
tickets. They had all these tickets
printed here. One set was sent out and
then attorneys advised that they were
not in proper form. and a. new set,
printed later. are now being sent out.
chairman Butler is also sending out n
circular letter explaining the difference.
To-day Butler sent out n letter to the
PopulistS. in which he tells them in
cases where they do not wish 1t known
how they voted on the amendment.
they have n right to vote folded ballot.
IL fs further stated that the purpose of
this letter is to induce Populists who
would he ashamed to let Il be known
that they voted against the amendment
to vote that way.
AN ERROR FOUND.
To-day's issue Of Senator Buffers
paper quotes the following from the
Winston Republicans:
Referring to some peculiar construc-
tion OF the law, we quote section as
we find in copy in our possession with
the brand of the State printer on 1t:
Section 2l1. On the day of election any
elector may and the judges of election
shall challenge the vote of any person
who may he known or suspected to be
duly qualified voter How can a duly
qualified voter be challenged? Can
Chairman Simmons explain? IF the
above is misprint. then It is an over
sight deplorable in the extreme"
The above Is n correct quotation Of
section I'll as 1t appears in the printed
election law sent out by Populist Sec
rotary of state Thompson: but careful
examination Of the election law rs
amended by the June session, on file
In Secretary of State Thompsons office.
shows the word mot" is left out in tho
printed copy after the word Suspect
ed" The law on file in Secretary
Thompson's office reads, cor SUSPECTED
not to be duly qualified voter" and
permits the challenge of illegal voters
on election day.
Chairman Simmons discovered this
error which must have been made in
Secretary /Thompson's office. several
weeks ago and notified the Democratic
chairmen throughout the State that the
word not was in the original and
omitted in printed copy
a BLUFF CALLED.
1t will be recalled that in last Sun
days Raleigh Observer was n card of
c. p. Davis. OF High Point. denying the
charges mades by the Mill News. of
Charlotte. that ]. c. Meekins. of
Greensboro. and others are organizing
unions in this State as machine with
which to fight the amendment. .IIpon
this point we have n private letter from
a substantial citizen of Greensboro. in
which he says:
~ have seen with my own eyes cir
cular gotten out by Meekins in the
shape of an appeal to he laboring men
Nf t1,n Ctot In, T., iaI>
the endorsement of the labor leaders.
furnishes several unions as references
refers with pride to the fact that he
conducted the union fight against the
Cones and advises the white mill opera
tives OF the State to fight the amend
ment as they would the devil. IL nee
essary. Ii can he proven that this 'ad-
dress was printed by Instructions of
and paid for by one A. T.. Holton. This
fellow Meekins is n third-rate Republi-
can politician. who was Democrat
lid to his defeat for Sheriff OF Tyrrell
county"
And there you are! The bluff has
been called: now for the showdown.
NEW FUSION TICKET.
Here is the fusion dish which is as
certain to be defeated as election day
comes:
Governor-Spencer B. Adams, of Gull
ford county
Lieutenant-G overnor-Herbert r. Sea-
well. of Moore county.
Secretary of state-Cyrus Thompson.
OF Onslow county.
Auditor-IIal w. Aver, of Wake
county.
Treasurer = William H. Worth, of
Wake county.
superintendent of Public instruction
county.
Attorney GENERALIZATION V, Wal
ser, of Davidson county.
commissioner of Labor and Printing