Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-03
NEWS OF THE VALLEY
BATTLE FOR VIRGINIA PosTMAs-
TERsHIPs NOW ON.
Special Correspondence of The Star,

Special Correspondence of The Star.
WINCHESTER, Va, December ., 1903.
In every county seat from Staunton to
Winchester there is a contest for the posi-
tion of nostmaster and now that Congress
Is ahout to convene the various fights are
approaching fever heat. Perhaps the bitter
est fight is being waged in Shenandoah
county between Postmaster John n. Davis,
who has held office for eight years, and
Daniel B. Logan, who, until year ago, was
assistant postmaster. Mr.. Logan resigned
at that time and entered the race Tor the
head of the Woodstock post once. AT the
last election in Virginia Postmaster DAVIS
was charged with 'pernicious political ac-
tivity," and that he helped to defeat L. ..
Walker for the past thirty years the re-
publican clerk of the county, for reelection.
His successful opponent, Mark Wunder,
very popular man, Is democrat Since
the election, however, Postmaster DAVIS mas
been exonerated of the charges. and he and
his friends now feel easier. But 1t has not
in the least lessened the fight that is be-
ing waged for the only federal plum in the
town, and both Davis and Logan are conf
dent of plucking 1t.
c. B. SilIman of Front Royal, Warren
county, Is an applicant for the post office
in his town, an office that Rev. II. w. Kin
ger has occupied for twelve years MI
Sillman says he has the Endorsement or
many prominent republicans and business
men, but he is not making any positive pre-
dictions. The parson postmaster is can
didate for reappointment, and Republican
County Chairman C. l.. Pritchard, for
mer postmaster, is also an applicant
Fight at Harrisonburg.
In Harrisonburg, Rockingham county,
Postmaster Paul Funkhouser who is also
an editor and United Brethren preacher
QiberaD, wants to be reappointed. He is
about to close his second term and is CIV
ing his opponents the hottest fight they
ever entered. He was a stanch friend of
Mckinley and has been keeping on the
good side of the Roosevelt administration
according to all reports. Charles NJ. Keezel,
republican county secretary, and Charles
a. Hammer are also candidates for the
job.
Up at Stanton, Augusta county, Maj.
Jacob Yost has held the Office for Digit
years, and like all the rest he is willing
to serve again, but he has opposition in r.
A. Futwiler, formerly of Botetourt county,
but who has for the past six years been
deputy to United States Marshal s. Brown
Allen, and in this fight he is said to have
the support of that astute political leader.
Postmaster Bentley Kern is candidate
for reappointment at the Winchester office.
He has as his opponent C. w. Ramsburg.
a prosperous merchant and poultry dealer.
Both are prominent republicans, Mr.. Kern
being chairman of the city committee, and
one of his sons, Mr. Harry r. Kern is
city commonwealth attorney, the only cleo
tive office in Winchester held by a republi-
can. Messrs. Kern and Ramsburg are
friends, and there is no fight here, is
there likely to be any.
While 1t is impossible to forecast the re-
suit of these contests, 1t is pretty gener-
ally understood that while Representative
Slemp and his son, G. B. Slemp, the state
chairman, will not have full say on all oc-
casions, they are -eminently men whose
Endorsements it will be well to have. Just
what plan of action they viii follow has
not yet been shown, and 1t is this that
makes the applicants feel a little uneasy.
According to well-authenticated reports,
determined fight will be made In the next
Virginia legislature to have passed Dill
that will provide for the appointment OF
commissioners of the revenue throughout
the state, instead of electing them at the
polIs as at present 1t is the intention to
have these officers appointed by circuit
1Idges SO that the Office may be removed
from politics far as possible.
To Abolish Poll Tax.
Another movement on foot, and one that
is certain to be popular. at least in this
section of the state, Is that to abolish the
payment of poll taxes as a prerequisite to
the right to vote. It is pointed out that
the republicans have worked harder than
the democrats to pay their poll taxes. and.
as a result. It is likely to cut down demo-
cratic majorities In view Of the fact that
the democrats are safely in control Of state
affairs. they can easily change the present