The Washington times., 1902-09-15
ALEXANDRIA ITEMS
OF GENERAL lNTBRES?
Democratic Chairman Asks
Democrats to Register.

i ALEXANDRIA. Va, Sept. 4.-Mr.
/ Charles Bendheim. chairman of the city
Democratic committee. has issued an adj
dress to the Democratic voters, urging
them to register. The remarkable slow
ness and Indifference displayed by the
voters has caused the Democratic party
leaders some little uneasiness, and 1t is
thought that in order to get the voters
TO register it will be necessary to go
out after them.
| 1t is the general impression of the
| party leaders that the reason so few
are coming forward to register is the
fact that most Of the voters are labor
ing under a false impression as to the
qualifications concerning the laws gov
erning the registration. Many believe
that in order to register it Will be
necessary to pay s1.50 poll tax. This
rule. however. will not go into operation
until the year 1904. Some are under the
impression that by not registering they
will be exempt from jury duty. This,
also. is erroneous. as any citizen who Is
qualified is competent to serve on
Jury. whether he is a registered voter or
not.
Mr.. Rendheim calls the attention of
the voters to the fact that by failing
to register it will reduce the Democratic
representation in political conventions.
and also that those who fail to register
this time will not be able to register
again until 1903.
The work of registration is now in
progress in the First and Second wards
and will continue fifteen days me
booths are open from noon until O. CLOCK
at night So far, less than 200 nave
registered in these two wards. and most
of these are whites. The registration
in the Third and Fourth wards Will COM
mence September %.
Owing to the large volume OF 1mpof
tant business which needs immediate
attention. Mayor Simpson has decided to
call a special meeting of the city council
some night this week. Council took
recess July s last, and the regular ses-
sions of that body will not commence
until the second Tuesday in OCTOBER,
which is about five weeks distant. The
meeting will probably be Tuesday night.
The petition OF the property owners on
King Street, between Washington ana
Fayette Streets asking the council to
grant the Washington, Alexandria and
Mount Vernon Electric Railway permis-
sion TO lay a double track on that thor
oughfare. between Fayette and Wasnin2-
ton Streets. will be reported.
The matter was presented at the last
special meeting and referred to the joint
committee on streets and general laws
1t is now in the hands of the commit
tee. 1t is understood that the members
of the committee are not of one mind on
the petition. SO far, however. no vote
has been taken or no report formulated.
The ordinance. il passed as presented
by the railway company, allows the rail-
way company to remove their rails on
Columbus. Cameron and Payne Streets.
which embraces six blocks of the COM
panv's tracks.
The matter of permitting the company
to lay a double track is considered OF
considerable Importance. and already q
petition has been gotten up. which Is
signed by many property owners, object
ing 10 the council granting the railway
the privilege. 1t is reported
that some of the eoucilmen are of the
opinion that the railway company should
be made to pay for the use OF King
Street. and they will object to the COM
pany further using it unless the city re.
ceiyes some revenues.