Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-24
ALEXANDRIA AFFAIRS
County Democratic Commit
tee Perturbed
OVER FORGED LETTER
DISTRIBUTED TO INFLUENCE To-
CAL OPTION ELECTION.
Arranging to. Celebrate Washington's
Birthday With Grand Parade
General News.
OVER FORGED LETTER
Evening Star Bureau.
Cn1 rf Ct~4n<

Evening Star Bureau.
7O1 King Street.
ALEXANDRIA, Va, January q.
The democratic committee Of Alexandra
county is considerably perturbed over the
distribution in the county of circular pur-
porting to have been issued by the commit
tee for the purpose of influencing the local
option election to be held in Arlington and
Washington districts February 16. The
circular Is dated Arlington, Va, January
II, 1903, and is signed alexandria County
Democratic Executive Committee" It's au-
thorship is positively denied by members Of
this body. A portion of the advice it con-
tains to voters is as follows:
Before voting in favor OF local option 1t
is advisable that every voter consider seri,
ously the probable results of such condi-
tion and profit by the past experience OF
our county. Those of you who were rest
dents of that district ten or twelve years
ago, when there was not one licensed bar
in the entire district, can recall the deplor-
able conditions then existing.
unlicensed bars or more popularity call
ed speak-easies,' were established in every
portion of your district, and more whisky
was sold and more drunkenness existed in
the county than under high license. An
irresponsible, vicious and criminal class
was In the business extensively; the county
and its time was taken up with the trial
OF cases incident thereto, and when a con-
yictton was had the criminals vera rarely
ever able to pay the fine imposed upon
them. This necessitated their confinement
In the county jail to be fed at the cost Of
the law-abiding citizens and taxpayers OF
our county"
The circular also predicts large increase
In the road levies should the "drys'' be sue
cessful in the election.
Mr.. Curtis B. Graham. the chairman OF
the committee, pronounces the paper a for
gerry, and this is concurred in by several
otner members who have made statements.
Inquiry was made concerning the matter at
the county court house on Fort Myer
Heights this morning, and 1t was said that
no one could be found who could give any
information as to the probable authorship
of the circular
Since it appeared several Of the commit
teemen have been at the court house, and
all OF them have been emphatic in their
remuneration OF the perpetrators OF what
they characterize as an outrage. A promi-
net citizen said this morning that the cir
cular neither represented the sentiments Of
the committee or the people. He said
that he had heard much indignation ex-
pressed over the matter.
A possible explanation, 1t was stated, was
that the paper had been gotten up with the
intention Of tn1uring the democratic party
In the county by placing it in bad light
before the people. 1t was supposed that
double purpose would be served in the in
jury to the committee and the prejudice
against the dry" side in the approaching
election.
But singular fact pointed out was that
the paper had been distributed most widely
in Jefferson district, where no election Is
to be held. there having been not a sufh-
cient number OF sieners to the petition
there for the judge to authorize an cleo
ton.
The members of the democratic commit
tee are Curtis B. Graham. chairman. and
James E. Clements, Arlington district:
Crandall Mackey and Stephen D. Beach Of
Washington district: Walter U. Varney and
Grant Spear of Jefferson district
In Honor Of Washington.
The project for revival February % of
the old-time custom of celebrating the an
niversary Of the birth Of Gen. Washington
with big parade in Alexandria, his home
town. took definite form last evening at a
meeting of citizens in Armory Hall, South
Royal street. Mr.. F. J. Paff presided and
Capt. James E. King acted as secretary.
The meeting was called for the purpose of
receiving a report from the committee APP
pointed few days ago to interview citizens
generally to ascertain whether they would
be willing to contribute to the success of
the plans, and to see whether the plans
met with popular approval.
For this committee Mr.. A. D. Brockett
reported that there was every reason to be-
lieve that the project would be cordially
supported. Encouraging statements were
also made by representatives of the Hy-
draulic Fire Engine Company. They re-
ported that their company had decided to
enter the parade and to lend hearty CO.
operation. Committees from the Columbia
Fire Engine Company and the Relief Hook
and Ladder Company announced that their
companies would most likely participate,
but said that they had been instructed to
attend the meeting and report before the
final determination was reached. They said
their companies were anxious to know
whether they would be provided with bands.
A report was received from committees
representing the various councils of the
Junior Order, United American Mechanics,
to the effect that they would be In the pa
rade If necessary, 1t was stated, they
would furnish their own band OsceoIa
Tribe, Independent Order OF Red Men,
through it's committee, promised to take
part. DR.. William M. Smith suggested that
the cooperation of every business and So
cial organization in the city be secured, and
that efforts be made to get military and
fire companies and other organizations from
Washington and. other places to take part
in the celebration.
Mr. NJ B. Harlow thought that some we'll
known speaker should be invited to de-
liver an address in Alexandria the night of
the celebration on the life and character of
General Washington. After further ex-.
change of views it was decided to empower
the chair to name nine citizens to consti-
tute an executive committee, and Chair
man Paff stated that he would announce
his selection within a few days.
General Matters.
The funeral of Charles A. Ward, who died
Thursday afternoon as the result of an ac-
cident in the round house of the Southern
railroad. will be held tomorrow afternoon
at o'clock from the home of his mother.
1905 Gfbbon street. Rev. j. P. Stump of the
NJ. e. Church South will conduct the SER
vices. The pallbearers will be six young
cousins Of the deceased. Messrs. Charles
Ward and. William Ward of Washington,
James Burroughs, Arthur Warfleld, Walter
Warfield and Mr.. Gordon Warfield of this
city.
A game Of basket ball will be played this
evening in Armory Hall between teams 4
representing the Alexandria Light Infantry
and the Orange Athletic Club of WASH
ington.
DR.. Julian T. Miller Of this city, who was
recently appointed assistant surgeon In the
United States navy for three years, win
leave here tomorrow for Paducah, KY.
where he will be stationed.
The January term of the Alexandria
county court, Judge James M. Love, pre-
siding. will begin Monday Ynornfyo Eo-s