Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1905-05-06
Negro Who Wanted TO Pay Ills
Poll Tax Ran Into Demo.
cratic Chairman Jones.
LOOKING FOR CAPT. sIuAR,
United States Marshal, With Big
Roll of Bills, Has Been Playing Ac-
tive Part in Politics in Past Two
Days-Dcmccrats Protest in Vain.

Great activity has been displayed by
leading Republicans during the past
two DAYS in lining M The negro voters
and getting their poll taxes paid. Al.
though certain precautions have boon
taken and il is possible that there have
been no violations Of the letter nr The
law, considerable amount of money
has been spent and the Democrats arc
very much excited over the ma,trr
y conspicuous figure in the 'acrivi-
ties has icon Captain ! T.. H. Stuart,
United States marshal for The Eastern
Virginia district. who. with IL great roll
OF bills, has been at The head OF the
committee of instructions" 10 this
committee the negroes apply when
they 20 10 the court house To pay their
taxes.
Struck Wrong Party.
Last night n rather amusing incident
occurred in the corridor Of the city hall
about s O'clock when some fifty or
more men, white and black. were gath.
cred around, Whiting their turns To ret
into the trcaSurcr':s office ami pay their
poll taxes.
Mr.. Allan y. Jones, chairman of the
city Democratic committee. was lean
ing against the wall watching the pro,
ceedings of the INSTRUCTION commit.
tee" when he WAS approached by Il
negro
Are YOU Mr. Stnart?" asked the
ncgr0
The Democratic chairman smrlicd IL
rat What do you want with Mr.
Stuart 2" he asked.
Want to pay my poll tax was The
answer
What have you go, to pay your lax
wlth?' qucrlcd Mr. Jones.
Had Negotiable Note.
The negro reached into his pocket
and produced Il negotiable note setting
forth that l.. r. Beverly promised 10
pay to J. II. b. Stuart thirty days from
date. So.
The situation was becoming decided.
" interesting. Mr.. Jones wanted Ia
Know who was scnding people 10 Mr.
stuart with such documents.
Little snspcctlng that ho was heing
cross-examincI by the Democratic
chairman, the negro replied, MIR Hop
kns."
Mr. w. +. Hopkins is a member of
the Republican city committee.
Took Copy.
Before giving up the paper, Chair
man Jones exhibited il To several
friends who happened 10 he nearby and
made Il rough copy OF IT, Then he told
the negro that. as he was no. In the
banking business, he would advise him
10 continue his search for MIR Stuart
The manner in which the poll taxes
Of many negroes have been paid has
caused much comment Ono or two
Democrats formally protested to Treas
urer Curtis, hut as the negroes were
themselves handing the money over
the counter the treasurer held that
he did not have the authority to ask
where tho cash came from
Over II hundred poll taxes have been
paid i'll The past two days and the total
number Is nearly fifteen hundred
Treasurer Curtis will he nj his office
tonight until S o'clock, or later if
necessary.
Mr.. Wise For CoIIcctorship
II was reported on the streets last
night that Mr. George NclmS Wise
would enter the race for collector of
customs for this port. Collector i. W.
Elliott offers for re-appoin,mcnt and
up to this time he and Mr. a. G. Pcachy
have been the only candidates in the
field
MIR. Wise could not be reached last
niEht. but II is stated upon good an
thority that he will 90 into The race.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.