The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-09-17

HumILIATING TO THE PEOPLE
Especial 10 The Times-D ispatch.l


fspecial to The TimesDispatch.l
NORFOLK, VA September lids
satisfied with proceedings In the Nor
folk County Circuit Court and cleo
ton methods In the Western Brancl
District of Norfolk county, citizens
the Western Branch District have al
dressed a rather pointed open yet
Ter to Judge William n. Portlock. ASK
ing him to explain certain nctlorS
transpiring In the court and aise
mn open letter to Governor swanson
advising the chief Executive on cree
ton matters in the Western Brancf
District The letters are the ollcla
expression OF the Norfolk County I'M
provement League, No. l. They are
ratad at portsmouth. September 18th
Letter to the Judge.
Tho letter to Judge Portlock, tbs
more pointed OF the two, follows:
Judge William n. Portlock, Nor
folk County Circuit Court:
Dear Sir.-As secretary of Nor
folk County Improvement League
No. /, of Western Branch DISTRICT
have been instructed by rese-
luton passed September lSth 10
write you an open letter fespeo
fully requesting information III
regard TO the following mattefs
appertaining to the last term ol
your court, rs shown by the
cords: r
~ county funds to Captain Il. Y.
Marshall for prosecuting liquor
cases. Whereas at tho same term OIL
.be court. his bill was approved foi
s27o against the state. all OF Whicn
was in addition to his salary OF Sloo
rer month. And, furthermore. ne
had legal assistance, paid for D!
the public.
?. transfer of liquor license of Q.
S. Williams to another party on
July 18th. while his case was pend
ing In court, and during Williams
absence, and why his case was nese'
heard.
3. Dismissal of charge against =.
j. Codd without hearing, and per-
hitting transfer OF MS Incense white
under charges.
4. Restoration of business in all
places where licenses We're revoked
and also the fact that none of them
suspended business for a single day
;. Granting license to w. L.. VIII
liams, at Taylorsville, after he had
been put in Jail for selling without
license, and also considering the
fact that it is extremely doubtful
that there are 500 people within
half mile radius of his place.
G. Granting license to David Gull
pepper. at Shea farm, without nee
essary 500 Inhabitants, and which
place was operated until July 26th
without a license.
T. The recent appointment of
special police In Western Branch,
some of whom up to the time of
appointment We're assistants in the
illegal sale of whiskey, and Likes
wise with their brethren We're post
ed in regard to the lawlessness of
the liquor men.
All of which is respectfully SUBJ
nritted. j. s. ROPER,
Secretary Norfolk County Improves
ment League, No. |.
Protest to Governor.
The letter to the Governors fol-
lows:
Governor Claude A. Swanson, Rich
mond. Va:
Dear Sir,-At n meeting of the
Norfolk County Improvement
League, No. l, held on September
IotI, IL TehOlullOn WAS adopted Ill
recting me, as secretary of the said
league. to send you a protest
against the judges and clerks of
election appointed for the Western
Branch district, the appointees be-
ing practically the same who serve
at all elections, primary and regu-
lar, and almost without exception are
beneiiciares of the Norfolk county
treasury in such capacities as spe-
cial police. road commissioners,
overseer of the poor, health officer,
sanitary Inspector. deputy sheriffs,
school trustees. registrars and re-
clpients OF county road and street
work without competition or So
curity.
The same state of things applies
to the electoral board and the
executive committee, supposed to be
democrats. although they arrange
tor the election of Republicans for
treasurer clerk of the court and
commissioner OF revenue.
he claim OF our league, there
lore, Is that considering the above,
and also that the negro vote is
largely stock in trade for A. III.
Martin. herded and voted by his
negro lieutenants. and urged into
the polls in carpet-bag fashion by
oihciais calling themselves Demo-
Gratis. there can be no election
worthy of the name without a
change In judges and clerks, and
as citizens of Norfolk county who
nave been Inundated by the vile
reputation of our county allowed
to be established and continued
by the present management. we
respectfully request that you will
see to it that such arrangements
be made as will insure a fair cleo