Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-08-19
OUR RICHMOND
NEWS LETTER.
New Feature Injected Into Coming
Constitutional Convention.
SUFFRAGE ASKED FOR WOMEN

Movement Against Reunions OF the Blue
and the Gray-Colored Republicans
Ferfecting Plans for Convention ut Char
lottesville-A Failing or In Real Essats
Values Stricken Down by Heat-A Rise
In Tobacco Tho Second DIstric. Con-
vention-A Democratic Year.
Especial to Virginian-P ilot.s
Richmond. Aug. 1S.-The Governor
to-day received a letter which created
considerable interest and which has
injected an entirely new feature into
the coming constitutional convention.
The letter was from the national
president of the woman's Suffrage
Movement, and asked for information
regarding the convention. 1t is evi.
IDENTIFY the purpose of the writer to be-
gin agitating in Virginia the question
of allowing the gentler sex to vote.
and regular campaign is expected.
1t may be stated positively. however
e enat II VIII not receive much support
from the women of this State, very few
or whom are DESTROYS OF going to the
polls.
THE BLUE AND THE GRAY.
movement has been started by
some of the Confederate Veterans in
mus city to do away with reunions OF
the Blue and the Gray. Only a few
of the old soldiers have taken hold OF
the matter as yet. but it is said that
the majority of them are heartily in
favor of the movement
They claim that they are doing this
nf
against whom they fought. but since
disagreeable incidents are so likely to
arise when the veterans of the two
armies meet arrayed in full uniform.
The Confederates here say that thew
VIII greet their ancient enemies hear
lily If they come singly in u business
or social way but they do not desire
to Sit around the same campfire any
more. a7 -.
THE COLORED REPUBLICANS.
The colored Republicans are vigor-
ously perfecting their plans for the
convention at Charlottesville, on Au-
gust I'D, which will protest against the
constitutional Convention. Gregory
Hayes. professor in the Virginia
Seminary at Lynchburg, one of the
most intelligent men of his race, will
preside over the convention, and some
vigorous addresses denouncing the
move to disfranchise the negroes will
be made.
REAL ESTATE ASSESSMENT.
The assessment of the real estate of
this city, which has just been COM
pleted. shows n considerable falling Off
in values. 1t is stated by the assessors
that rents have been considerably re-
duced. and they thought it only Just
TO reduce the assessment in order that
the taxation might not be SO heavy.
STRICKEN BY HEAT.
Alderman Evan Snead. a leading po-
liceman of this city, and president of
the largest Democratic club here, was
stricken down by heat this morning,
and is In critical condition. Mr.
Snead has twice suffered strokes of pa
ralyss.
RISE IN TOBACCO.
Tobacco has taken a rise during the
last few weeks. and prices are likely
to steadily increase.
The reason for this is the great dam
age done the growing crop by the re-
cent drought
The yield this year. in the opinion of
many. will be less than one-third of
the usual crop. Farmers who have
held heir last years crop are fortu-
nate, for the increase In the selling
price is already two or three cents a
pound
THE SECOND DISTRICT CONVENT
TION.
The event of the coming week in
Democratic circles will be the conven-
lion at Newport News next Thursday
to nominate candidate for Congress
from the Second District.
The friends of Senator Harry l..
Maynard seem to be doing the bulk Of
the shouting, but the other numerous
aspirantS do not seem willing to con-
eide the nomination of the Portsmouth
leader. Messrs. d. Gardiner Tyler and
w. a. Young. both OF whom are for
mer representatives from the district,
are putting up hard fights. and the
| other candidates are very active.
Secretary Joseph T. Lawless Is In
| Portsmouth helping his friend May
nard. and he hasabeen asked to lay the
Senator's claims before the convention.
which he has agreed to do.
A DEMOCRATIC YEAR.
Colonel Joseph Button, who was In
the city for short while this morn
ing. says that contact with the people
in every direction has convinced him
that this Is Democratic year, and
that Mr.. Bryan VIII be elected by a
good majority. both of the popular
vote and in the Electoral College.
The Democratic Headquarters will be
formally opened about September Cd,
as the list occurs on Saturday, and
Colonel Button says he would hardly
get down to business before the fol-
lowing Monday.
There will be speaking at August
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