Evening star., 1901-04-03
Chairman Agnew Issues an Address
to Virginia Republicans.
DUTY IN VOTING FOR DELEGATES
Interest in Meeting Tonight of
Citizens Association.
G IN ERAL NEWS NOTES
Evening Star Bureau,
No. T01 King Street.
Bell TeleDhone No. 1O6,

ALEXANDRIA, va. April 3, 1SOl.
Chairman Park Agnew of the state re-
publican committee sent out this morning
circular letters to the members of his party
in Virginia advising them as to their course
of action in regard to the election OF dele
gates to the state constitutional conyen-
tion. The following is the text Of the ad-
dress:
I'm sympathy with the action of the state
committee and in view Of the very great
Importance of the questions to be deter
mined by the convention called to meet On
June II. 1901 for the purpose of framing
a new constitution for the state. l urge
upon every republican to give most earnest
thought to the matter Of selecting proper
persons to represent his legislative district
in the councils of the convention. 1t has
been decided by the state committee; that
the local organization in each legislative
district shall judge as to the propriety OF
putting a party candidate in the field: so
that 1t Is of the utmost Importance that
each voter shall keep himself in close touch
with the local organization of his county
or city and endeavor to throw the full
weight of his vote and influence in the
manner directed by his committee. The
law providing for the creation Of Il new
constitution provides, also, that it shall be
submitted to the vote Of the people for
ratification or rejection; but care should be
taken to demand from every candidate ask
ing your suffrage a straightforward public
statement Of the position he tahes Oil the
several questions of suffrage, support or
free schools, reduction of expenses of the
state government and for the providing OF
honest election laws. Support no man'Who
will not place himself on record in favor
of these several questions being 80 settled
in the new constitution that ell OF the
citizens of this commonwealth may be
benefited and justice rendered to all, and
who shall also agree to submit to the quail
- fho
stitution as a whole for ratification or re-
lection.
Appeals for Unity.
I'm those districts in which our party has
a candidate I earnestly entreat you to rem
der your loyal support to elect him; and
where It is believed the part of wisdom not
to put party ticket in the field you are
urged to take your course OF action from
your local committee, to the end that the
least objectionable man may be chosen.
"This convention will be intrusted with
questions of such vital interest to the citi-
ing upon its future prosperity, that it be-
comes the duty of every citizen to give his
best thought and his whole influence to the
selection Of the best men that can be had,
and you should not permit yourselves to be
misled by vague promises from those who
may desire your support, but require from
each candidate clear-cut statements OF po-
sition held upon those subjects above men
toned.
II appeal to the good sense and loyalty OF
the republican party, and to that earnest
desire In the heart of every true citizen for
the prosperity Of his state, trusting that
each one will feel 1t his duty to come for
ward both upon the day on which the COM
mittee or precinct meetings are held and
upon the day of election, with the deter
mination to do the utmost to secure for the
state the best talent that can be had. that
the great duty imposed upon this conven-
ton may be so discharged that it may be a
blessing to the commonwealth"
The Local Political Field.
The announcement that meeting would
be held this evening at o'clock in the
Opera House under the auspices of the
Citizens Association has caused some spec
ulation among those interested in local pol
itics as to what action will be taken by
the citizens in regard to placing ticket in
the field for the city council. 1t is predict
ed by some that the movement will result
In a split in the local democracy, with the
nomination of an Independent ticket. 9th
ers, however, believe that the citizens in
terested in the meeting this evening will
simply decide to support certain men in
the various wards of the city who are
known to favor the ends for which the as
Sociation was formed. This, 1t is said,
would not constitute an open split in the
party, but the result would be practically
the same.
1t is pointed out that such an action
moters of the movement. as it would result
in the placing of many men on the ticket
In that case, it Is said. the faction oppos-
ing the object of the citizens movement
would certainly concentrate its strength
on few men and secure their election.
The municipal contest this spring promises
to be more interesting than any which has
taken place in his city for a number Of
years.
General and Personal.
Mrs. Mary ]. Atwell, widow Of William
E. Atwell, died at an early hour this morn
Ing at the residence of her son-in-law, Mr.
Moore, No. III Duke street. Deceased was
eighty years of age. She was daugh-
ter of the late William ]. Hfgdon of this
city. Mrs. Atwell was a consistent mem
Der of the NJ. E. Church South. and was
prominent in local religious matters
Funeral arrangements have not yet been
made.
At the annual meeting of the stockholders
Of the Washington Southern Railroad
Company, held here yesterday afternoon,
the following officers were elected for the
ensuing year: Samuel Rea, president; John
Cassells. J. p. Green. Andrew Jameson, c.
G. Sawtelle, G. c. Wilkins and ]. p. Kerr,
directors.
Mr.. Edgar Snowden, who is a student in
the medical department. Columbian Uni
versty. handsomely entertained a number
OF his student friends at dinner last
evening at his home on South Lee street
The annual meeting of the Old Dominion
Boat Club will be held this evening when
officers will be elected for the ensuing year.
Fire yesterday afternoon destroyed a
large barn belonging to Mr.. John Duncan,
in Alexandria county. A large quantity
of hay contained in the barn was also con-
sumed. The origin Of the flames is un-
known. The Hydraulion engine from this
city attempted to render assistance, but
could not get a supply Of water. The
chemical apparatus Of the engine, however,
was used
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