Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-31
MATTERS In VIRGINIA
ITEMS OF INTEREST IN THE OLD
DOMINION CAPITAL.
Special Dispatch to The Sta.

state capitol, built more than I25 years
ago. and which has for the past eighteen
months been In the hands OF contractors for
remodeling and modernining, Is ready for
occupancy. The contract called for de-
livery of the building by December 81. It
was ready on time, the contractor having
the place brilliantly illuminated last night
from basement to dome. The improvements
were made under the direction of COM
mission composed Of the governor. Senators
Phiegar Keezell and Anderson and Dele
gates Kelley. Jennings and Bowman. The
general assembly appropriated $4,000 for
the work and the contract was awarded to
w A. Chesternan OF this city There has
been added to the original buildings two
WlnSs-one on the east and one on the west
side The former Is for the house and the
latter for the senate. The interior of the
building has been greatly changed The
governors ofnces are now on the southeast
corner. whereas formerly they were in the
northwest corner. The state corporation
commission has quarters In the enlarged
building. while the halls formerly used by
the legislature are taken by the department
OF agriculture and the department of educa-
ton, the hall OF the house going to the
agricultural exhibit and the senate end to
the educational department The superin-
tendent Of public printing was the first
officer to move into the new building. The
governor, secretary Of the commonwealth
and the several other departments are ex-
pected to move in before the end of the
coming week.
General Assembly to Convene
The general assembly will convene in the
capitol January 10. This Is the first gen.
eral assembly to convene since the new
constitution became effective at which all
the members have been chosen under the
revised and amended laws regulating cleo
lions. The change made In the time for
mn Nv 1hyyio toe
the long holiday recess, which invariably in
terrupted proceedings and made the first
three weeks of the work of that body
worthless. Governor Montague is prepar-
ing his message to the legislature, and it
is believed that he will make strong recon-
mendations regarding the working of con-
yfcts on the roads, the enlargement OF
school appropria tons and the establishment
OF a state printery.
Negroes Voted for Democrat.
Thursday there was held in this city
special. election for city treasurer to sue
coed Charles H. Phillips. deceased There
were eleven candidates in the contest,
among them James B. Pace who up to a
few years ago was one OF the weaIthiest
surrendered everything he possessed, even
to his home. He had made his money
while engaged In the manufacture Of to-
bacco and while thus engaged he gave en-
ploymeEt to several hundreds of negro men
and boys. He was always charitable man
and when the day for voting came around
the negroes-the few that had a vote
went to the polls and cast ballot for him.
He is said to have received more negro
votes for treasurer than were cast for the
republican candidate for governor Mr.
Pace got more votes for the office than did
his ten competitors.
New Revenue Agent.
Col. W. H. Chapman. formerly revenue
agent in this city. and who has been doing
much work in Tennessee and North Caro-
lima, in the latter place doing much In I'M
earthing a condition of affairs that startled
the country. has been ordered to take
charge of the Office In this city Col Chap
man served in the confederate states army,
being an officer under Col John s. Mosby.
the noted guerrilla chief. 1t is not known
where Mr.. Gamble, the present agent will
CO. and his record here has been a good
one. 1t is presumed that he will be assigned
ed to some other place in the service of
equal rank as the position he held here.
Notes.
The Virginia Base Ball League has been
formed in this city, with Jake Wells as
president; W. B. Bradley, vice president,
and Emmett Gregory, secretary. There are
to be eight clubs in the league-Richmond,
Petersburg, Lynchburg, Norfolk. Ports
mouth. Newport News, DanviIle and Roa-
noke. Charles Shaffer, who played last sea-
son In Savannth, and who was with the
Boston American League the season prevf-
GUS, is the manager of the local team. The
men will begin practice about April l,
and will play exhibition games while train
ing with the big league teams from the
north on their return from the southern
training camps.
The election of officers in Acca Temple.
Mobiles of the Mystic Shrine, was an ex-
citing affair. the rivalry being acute.
Gorge ]. Hooper, lawyer of this city,
was elected potentate over one of the most
popular members of the order Among the
representatives elected was E. E. Down
man OF Alexandria, who will go to the
Imperial Council
In this city there lives conductor In the
employ Of the Southern railway who has
seen ffty-one years of service in that ca
pacity He Is Phil NJ. Snyder now more
than three-quarters of century old and
who is engaged in following his work
daily. He Is well and widely known and
never been in but single accident In which
a passenger was hurt-a woman who was
thrown from her seat by the breaking of
rail.