Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-23

All doubt or tEe att4NftS VI Niae 'NbN''
cans in this state. IL any doubt existed. has
been removed from the minds of the demo-
Gratis by the receipt in this city of printed
circnlars giving explicit, direct and clear
instructions for all men who have not reg
istered rs to the course to pursue when Of
fering for registration. The law provides
that in the registration after 1904 the voter
shall without assistance or help of any
sort prepare (uness physically disabled)
his own application for registration. The
application is to be in the handwriting OF
the applicant and printed or written
memoranda of any sort is to be used Tor
the guidance of those desiring to register
The democratic leaders of the state have
come into possession of the printed Circu
lars of instructions issued by the republ-
cans. with which the state is being flooded.
The circulars received here come from the
southwest ard are evidently printed in
some country job office. the quality OF the
work betra-ring that fact. Along with the
circular letter of instructions Is blank
form for the guidance of the iliiterate voter
who desires to register. The form has all
the blanks which a voter could be expected
to fill and the instructions direct the voter
TO copy the blank in full. thereby getting
himself ready to go to the registrars and to
make out thr application in accordance
with the instructions
Not only does the circular give directions
pertaining to the registration of voters. but
in case the voter has not complied with
the law after getting the books or his
name should be omitted from the list fur
nished to the clerk of the court. the cir
cuiar makes 1t plain what is necessary to
do I'm order to have corrections made in
time TO get on the lists.
The democratic party managers are alert
10 the condition of affairs obtaining in the
republican camps and are energetically at
work to counteract the work which is being
done. The last day on which poll taxes can
be paid in order 10 permit a voter to par
fipffs In ha
are qualified to exercise the right of suf-
frage in general elections are the only
ones who can vote in the primarieS-iS May
g. which is six months prior to the election.
From all sections of the state come reports
of lack Of interest to that essential among
all class of voters, though they go to po-
hucal meetings, wear buttons and yell long
and loud for the men of their choice.
Senator Martin has demonstrated to the
satisfaction of his friends that be is a cam
pdiSner and that he can make speech. He
has already been on the stump some half
dozen times and tomorrow he is to speak
at Bedford City. The senator, in his previ-
Gus speeches, has confined his remarks 10
Iepelling the insinuation made that he was
Il mere department runner" He quotes
the record to prove what he has done. and
he carefully abstains from -lentioning
the name of his opponent. Mr.. Mon
tague. preferring to review his own
record rather than to undertake the dis
arrangement of any gentlemen who may en-
ter the race.
1t is not believed that the senator will de-
part from his ideas of the campaign and
the dignity attaching to the position which
he holds Senator Martin does not pose as
orator. He is more of a debater than
anything else. and he presents his views
IN a manner showing careful study and
Election. He is at all times of the smooth
est temperament, never losing his head for
d moment
Buttons Sharp Reply.
Regarding the attack made by the gov
ernor at Boydton on the services which Col.
Joseph Button is giving to Senator Martin.
Col. Button has made reply which is
sharp. and is attracting much attention by
the way in which he alludes to the "pro-
prieties" of the case. Col. Button is secre-
tary of the state democratic committee,
and the governor characterized his conduct
in assisting Senator Martin as a little out
So9 the ordinary, intimating that the infor-
'9nation. which came to Col. Button secre-
-tary OF the committee at the disposal
of Senator Martini and was not accessible
TO the governor and his friends.
After announcing his UNDERSTANDING friend
ship for Senator Martin, Col Button says
that in acting assistant to the senator
he has abdicated none of his rights as a
citizen and is discharging his duty as he
sees it; that he has been the secretary of
the committee for eight years, at loss to
himself, and that he has never received
dollar for his services, and that he is not
fnsensible to the ties of friendship. He
adds
Neither do l attach any importance to
the opinion of one who raises the question
Of propriety to my attitude, which has
not been, and is not likely to be, complained
of by any one else, while he is devoting the
major portion of his time to canvassing for
election to another office during his term
of service governor, although our con-
stitution provides that he shall be ineligible
to the same Office for the term next sue
ceeding that for which he was elected and
to any other office during his term of serv-
ice -
Col. Button then quotes an opinion by
the supreme court of the state along that
line. in which it was held that the idea in
making the governor ineligible was to pre-
vent his using the means of the position to
secure his election to the same or other
Office during his term of service. Col. But
ton says that the governor or any other
democrat is welcome to all information in
his possession secretary at any and all
times
Senator Martin. too, comes back at the
governor. The governor made mention of
the settlement of the debt between the
state and the federal government, which
Senator Martin said was a part of his
service. The governor said that out of a
claim amounting to Nose than a million
dollars the state received the sum of $3.50.
The reply of the senator is largely made up
from the report of Second Auditor Dew,
which shows that the settlement embraced
IN IT'S PROVISIONS the delivery OF ponds OF
the state of Virginia for 500, 600, on which
no interest tat per cent? had been paid
since 1861 The senator said:
The Importance of the legislation under
which this settlement was made was so
we'll understood by all intelligent Virginians
that | do not feel that ii is necessary for
me to undertake to answer attempts to be-
little it"
Two elections have been held in this
state for general officers since the new
constitution became effective-that is, men,
berS of the general assembly and represen-
tativcs-and the vote has fallen below 10000.
That is. the democratic vote has fallen be-
low that figure, while the aggregate vote of
the state has Appropriated 10000. This
year 1t Is expected that the vote in the
primary for the state ticket Will exceed
100000. The vote in the primary. which is
virtually the election. is expected TO be
heavier than in the general election. unless
the republicans should succeed in bringing
out such formidable array of candidates
that the democrats will be forced 20 get
out the full strength of the party in order
10 prevent the success of the republicans.
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