Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-21
CHARGE BY DEMOCRATS.
West Virginians Think They Will Be
DISTINGUISHED.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
CUMBERLAND, Nd, May 20.-Demo-
Gratis of the second West Virginia district
where the special congressional election
will be held on June 6. charge that the re-
pubicans will attempt to dsfranchise DEM
ocratic voters under the new eiectlon law,
effective on May IS. At the meeting of the
committees of the two parties in Cumber-
land last Saturday it was at once decided
that the election must be held under the
new law. 1t is claimed that it was sug-
gested at the meeting by one of the demo-
Gratis that the blanks for the registration
be prepared jointly by the two congress
sjonal committees in order that they might
be uniform and that wrangling be avoided
on the dag of the election between the
commissioners representing the two poilt-
cal parties in registering the votes unres-
istered who offered to vote. After the
prepare ton of these blanks, 1t was further
suggested that the chairman OF the Two
committees issue joint letter of instruc-
lions to the commissioners of election re-
garding these blanks and embodylng IN this
letter such sections of the law as ought 10
be called to the attention of the commits
sioners. The democrats claim this sugges-
ton was turned down by the republicans
although Noah c. Keim, the chairman, and
James S. Lakin. the republican candidate
for Congress. were favorable to it, The
democrats claim the act OF the republicans
sdvors of an attempt to take some unfair
advantage of democratic voters in republic
can counties. The democratic committee
Will on its own hook prepare registration
blanks and furnish them to the commits
sioners in accordance with their interpre-
tation of the requirements of the law.
Duty of Assessors.
1t is the duty of the assessors under the
new law 10 list the voters, each individual
voter to make oath. Any person whom the
Tai rpfnSp
before any one authorized to make afti-
davits and there make the necessary affi-
davit, the same as made before the asses
sors. He shall then be allowed to vote on
the day of the election if he presents this
affidavit to the commissioners of election,
together with the names of two persons
known to the election commissioners as re-
liable, who shall also make affidavit that
the person is Il resident. The voter must
either be registered by the assessors, or
the affidavit plan.
The law is the first in West Virginia re-
quring registration. The assessor is also
to collect the poll or capitation tax-$1 for
each voter. He can levy a mans goods
or attach his wages if he refuses to pay
the tax
Tax Law an Issue.
The democrats are trying to make the
using the newspapers to circulate their
views. They will make no speeches
They will claim that the reassess-
ment will increase the tax values
enormously, in some eases running all
the way up to 800 per cent. 1t is de-
clared by the democrats that the owner
of farm a town lot and house will find
his tax liability at least doubled in the
near future. They appeal to republicans
to show their disapproval by voting for
democrat for Congress, whose election
would not hurt the political complexion of
httt ha ut oct f,,cf
the Ubiquitous tax laws
The republicans claim that Lakin will
carry the district by about 1000. Col. John
I. McGraw, the democratic leader whose
nome Is in Grafton, says Col. Thomas B.
Davis, the democratic nominee will win by
about 800. Only fifteen days remain until
the election and the listing of the voters
has not yet commenced. The democrats
VIII oouotIess be the greater sufferers by a
light vote. Their majorities are in agricul-
tural counties and many farmers will not
leave corn blowing 10 vote. The republic
can majorties are In the towns where vot-
ing is easy. The republicans, too it is ad-
mitted, have the better organization Can
didate Lakin is on his handshaking
tour through the district. Col. Davis who
made personal canvass of the district five
years ago when he was a candidate, re-
| fuses to go out this time, saying he is per-
| sonally well enough known and a tour
would bring no results. There seems to be
| no apathy among the numerous candidates
/ whom Mr.. Lain defeated for the nominal
+; tion All are at work for the nominee. Re-
Gently Ira +. Robinson, his strongest COM
! petitor, held ratification meeting at his
home to which he invited all the party
workers, whom he entertained at dinner.
Sloan in Contest.
The ertry of d. Iindley S,oan into the
state senatorial contest in Allegany county.
his formal announcement having been is