Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-09-08
VIRGINIA REPUBLICANS
Contest on Between "Lily
Whites" and the Negroes.
LATTER TO MEET THE ISSUE
President Great on Promises, But
Weak in Fulfllment.
AGAINST ROOSEVELT OR HIS MAN
Richmond Troopers Record Practice
March-Judge Pritchard to Take
UP Rate Gases Tuesday.
AGAINST ROOSEVELT OR HIS MAN

Special Correspondence OF The Star.
RICHMOND. Va. September :. 1907.
The issue is Joined and the battle is on
between the lily white republicans and
the erstwhile supporters of that party, the
brother In black The first step taken
when the republican state executive COM
rn!ttee announced meeting in the city OF
Norfolk Wednesday of this week. There
are no negroes on that committee, and of
all the men who were invited to meet there
and to discuss the situation not one was
other than OF the lilly white hue. The
negroes of this city have taken umbrage at
the meeting. at the promoters at the party
management and they in open revolt.
The negro is a republican for many rea-
sons-the chief being the helping hand ex-
tended him Immediately following the civil
war and for which many of them to this
day incline to be loyal But when the party
councils are called and the negro is not in
vited to even hear what is said. he begins
TO act for himself
That the negroes realize the party ma
chinery In Virginia is being used 10 select
q delegation to the next national Conven-
ton that is for President Roosevelt. or for
whom he may name. is plain. night or
two ago a meeting held in this city.
OF tickets in every legislative district by
the negroes. This is to checkmate the re-
publicaus of the lilly white" persuasion.
who announced that they stood for naming
tickets in every section in which the demo-
Gratis were apatnetiC OF divided. This was
done. to be certain, in those counties In
which the negroes do not have a following.
The negroes are to go them one better,
and are to make nominations in every dis
trict and will seek to name their men be-
fore the other faction can get together. so
that the colored faction will have the stamp
OF regularity" and the others will be COM
PEELED to vote for their nominees. or to be
placed IN the attitude OF boiling the
party.
One Obstacle in the Way.
= There. is Just one obstacle in the way
however. and it Is one which the negroes
do not appreciate. The party machinery Is
IN the hands OF the lilly whites In every
county and city In the state. There can be
no primary or convention unless with the
full knowledge consent and approval OF the
party mana cement. On the other hand. the
white faction can hold a meeting by giving
such notice may seem right and proper.
Representative coored men say they will
not stand for Roosevelt or for any man
whom he wants. They will not accept Taft,
but the mention of the name of Senator
Foraker fills them with enthusiasm. They
contend that the President Is great man
promises. but that he is weak on fulfill
the colored faction of the party.
Following the meeting here will begin at
once a movement TO organize the entire
state and to poll such a vote in the general
election as to warrant il in making a fight
for the delegation from Virginia to the ma
tional convention.
One of the great admirers of President
Roosevelt in this city in discussing the
possibility of the President again being the
candidate of his party said that he believed
that President Roosevelt would carry the
state by 10000 majority. adding that 1t
would be the one ambition Of his life to
have the electoral vote of Virginia cast for
him And there are a great many men who
have in the past voted the democratic ticket
at every opportunity who will cast repub-
lican vote If Roosevelt Is again nominated
Howitzers' Record March.
Capt William NJ. Myers commanding
the Richmond Howitzers, has presented to
Gov. Swanson a report of the practice
march of that command from this city to
the jamestown exposition, when the or
ganizatiou established a world record for
volunteer organization. The start was
from this city on June I. the distance to the
exposition being 10 miles from this city.
Instead of leaving here at o clock in the
morning ordered, IL was noon when
the command passed through the city. The
delay, says the report. was due to the fact
that the teams Were new and but one or
two of the horses had ever before worked
double. Then there was disappointment on
the part OF those who had agreed to send
horses. and others had to be secured. June
10 the battery made distance of thirty
eight miles-over roads eighteen inches deep
in mud. filled with water and not one of the
officers or men with a stitch of dry cloth
ing or a blanket. Capt. Myers says that
when he insp ected the camp one night dur
Ing the march, following heavy storm, he
found many of them sleeping in three inches
OF water the tents having been blown away
by the storm. He says that the men dis
played the keenest interest. determination
and pluck in their desire to keep their prom
Use to Gov. Swanson-that They would be in
line for the big review Virginia day, June
Il And they kept their word.
The battery arrived about noon. was
kept in line until after ) o'clock passing
in review just as il came out of the march,
not having had time to clean the gun car
rlageS calSsonS, harness, the horses or their
own clothing. Capt. Myers says that the
march of thirty-eight miles in one day sur
passes al. records for volunteer organiZa-
ton. and that when all the conditions are
considered ne doubts If II has been equaled
on many occasions by regulars.
DR.. Robert J. Foster, veterinarian of the
18th United States Cavalry, at the request
OF Capt, Myers made an examination of the
teams at Camp John Smith. He found that
there Were comparatively few that were
suffering from sores, and these he believed
to be due TO conformation of the animals
and the fact that many of the steel collars
did not III properly The animals were only
out of service for periods Of from three
days to two weeks.
Capt T.edman n Horne of the Sd Ragi-
ment, Field Artillery, in letter to Capt.
Myers, expresses surprise at the results
achieved on the march with soft men,
green horses, heavy equipment and the fact
that there We're only four horses to car
riage. whereas regu. l-ions called for six.
Rate Cases Up This Week
Judge Pritchard of the United States
circuit court of appeals will reach the city