Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-09-13
The viva voce Plnp.


1t was the general Impression arnonH
those who have handled election returns
for years that the VIVA voce method OF
voting is very successful where there are
| few candidates The principal objection
advanced against it was the lack of se-
crecy, which it is thought prevented many
from voting. who. under different form
| of voting. would have gone to the polld
Thursday.
1t is certain that the expense incidental
to primary is greatly reduced by the
viva voce plan. but, as well-known
local politician stated yesterday. the best
argument against it is the fact that the
trend OF all legislation of recent years IN
every State has been to surround the hal.
lot with every means to make it secret 4
Republican, Opposition.
Now that Captain Lamb has won the
nomination, the chief question Of interest
among the party leaders concerns his
probable Republican opponent. The Re-
publican convention will assemble at West
Point next Wednesday. September Nth
Just who will be nominated for the sacrt-#
ice is not known, and candidates seem
very scarce Mr.. Chapman Snead OF
King William, has been mentioned for
the empty honor. but he has stated that
he does not desire the nomination at this
time Mr.. Morgan Treat United States
\
buS he has not publicly announced his
acceptance or desire for 1t. The nonina-
ton means nothing more than tho pre-
servation Of the party machinery In the
district for the control OF Federal patron
age It seems to be the opinion OF the
Democratic leaders In the district, based
upon the primary returns and the gem
eral political situation in the State and
country, that there is no substantial POI
htfcaI ground upon which a Republicans
candidate can make a respectable run for
Congress in this district or any other dis
trict in Virginia.
Suffrage the Issue.
I. is thought that the convention at
West Point will make the suffrage ques-
ton, as brought to the front by the rex
cent action OF the Constitutional Conven>
ton, prominent feature In their plate
form. The new registration as provided
for in the Constitution is already in pro-
gress in certain parts of this and othe1
districts. and the practical elimination OF
the negro vote thereby removes. in the
opinion of the Democratic leaders. all
hopes of victory for any Republican nom-
inee for Congress. Those who discussed
the question yesterday were unanimously
of the opinion that the approaching con-
Sressiona1 elections throughout the coun-
try would show an Off year for the Re-
publican party, and that there would be
pronounced Democratic gains. and most
likely Democratic majority In the next
House of Representatives.
The New Registration.
Mr.. J. B. Doherty. chairman OF the
City Democratic Committee. and Mr. John
c. Easley, chairman of the Third District
Committee, are very anxious that tho :
press and the party workers make every
effort to secure q big registrat ton under
the new law, and 1t Is certain that this
desire prevails throughout every district
in the State.
The qualifications for registration under
the new Constitution are as follows:
Every male citizen of the United
States. twenty-one years OF age. who
has been a resident of the State two
years, of the county. city. or town, one
year. and of the precinct In which he
offers to vote. thirty days next preceding
the election In which he offers to vote.
shall be entitled to register IL he be-
l. A person who, prior to July /, 1902
served in time of war in the army or
navy of the United States. or OF the Cons
federate States, or OF any State OF tho
United States, or of the Confederate
States.
3 "A son of any such person.
3. A person who owns property upon
which for the year previous to the year
in which he offers to register. he has
paid State taxes amounting to 81. This
section includes ali persons who during
the year 1901 paid 81 taxes to the State
on either personal or real property or s.
both combined.
f. "A person able to read any section OF
the Constitution submitted to him by
the officers OF registration. and 20 give
a reasonable explanation of the same: or,
If unable to read sucn section. able to
understand and give a reasonable sx-
planation thereof when read to him by
the officers. Under this section two
classes Of persons are permitted to Be
registered: % those who can read and
give reasonable explanation OF tn
Constitution to the officers OF resiSt1a-
5tion and (2l those who. although athsN
cannot read. are yet able to give = rea-
sonable explanation
The Richmond City Boards which win
sit next Monday for the hrst tinls. trom
noon to o o'clock e. NJ. ara. constituted
as follows:
Williams, r. A.. Cavedo.
Jefferson Ward-Henry -. Tyler. The1,
w. Joseph. George r. Howden.
Madison Nard-A. 81 I.anisr. Robert lAa
Tray1o1. Thomas " !. vVAlsh