Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-08-18
IN THE OLD DOMINION
Republicans Waiting for Demo-
Gratis to Nominate.
AFTER COL. SLEMP'S SEAT
Trouble in State Department of
Agriculture.
NEGRO STEALS MUCH COCAINEI
Carries $500 Worth Out of a Drug
Store in His Pockets and
Drummer's Case.
NEGRO STEALS MUCH COCAINEI
Special Correspondence Of Tn. H;a-.

Special Correspondence Of TIL Ea-.
RICHMOND, Va. August II. 1907.
The political situation in this state Is re-
markable at this time for one thing-the In
activity of the republicans. The election
of a general assembly takes place this
fall. the entire body in both branches being
chosen this year for the first time since
the new constitution went into effect.
In the last general assembly the repupli-
cans had a total strength of twenty in
both branches At the same time they
waiting to whom the democrats will
nominate and will then decide on their
nominees. Nearly all the republicans in
the general assembly come from the ninth
congressional district, and that district has
much OF the patronage OF the state.
Gillespie Against Slemp.
Reports here from the ninth district say
that Joseph +. Gillespie OF Tazewell is to
make the race for the congressional nomi-
nation in opposition to col. Slemp. This
makes two candidates who will enter the
contest against the present representative
from that district, the other man being
Senator J. c. Noel Of Lee county, who Is
not standing for reelection this fall. 1t IL
well understood that this is to be the last
term Tor Col. Slemp, and it is believed that
when the time comes he will have only one
opponent, SO lnat MS ueleat Will DE GER
tain. For some time il has been intimated
that Col. Slemp would seek to have his
son succeed him, but the republicans OF the
district manifest disposition to say
few things on their own account in making
a selection.
Another Departmental Row.
There is trouble in the department of
agriculture. Some time ago the commits
sioner, George w. Koiner, went to Europe
in, abalf Of for In
Under the law he could bring in only farm
laborers and domestics, and to this class
he restricted himself In his absence the
department was in charge of Secretary E.
Bruce Chesterman, and some act of his In
censed the commissioner, and he announced
on his return that he would dispense with
Mr.. Chesterman, whom he had named
several years ago as clerk of the depart
ment. Mr.. Chesterman, 1t is understood,
was appraised of his impending dismissal
and fortified himself. The board held a
meeting and reorganiZed, Mr.. Chesterman
being named as Secretary-treasurer. This
a few days after Mr. Koiners return.
1t was the recommendation of the executive
committee. The board, apparently desir-
Gus of obtaining some of the credit for the
work being done through the department,
directed that future reports should be made
as from the board OF agriculture and not
from the department of agriculture. The
attorney general been asked as to the
power of the board in the matter Of re-
OTBdElZdllOH NolLSI is eltClcu ny tllc
people of the state. and the board is ap
pointed by the governor. The whole mat
ter will come up in the general assembly
at the coming session.
State May Lose Large Sum.
The school board of the city of Norfolk
may cause the state to lose a good big sum
if the action of that body is allowed to
stand. The city needed desks for a build
ing, and after advertising the contract was
awarded to a certain western firm at a
lower price than had been named to the
state board of education by another firm
for the entire state. The contract provided
that if any city or district bought elsewhere
than from the firm which had the state
contract the firm might surrender the entire
contract. There were rivals In the field, to
all intents. 1t is said that the alleged ri
walls part of the same trust, and that
because of the recent advance in materials
the company holding the state contract de-
sired to get out of the deal, and in this way
allowed the competing concern to put in
the upset bid and that it will avail itself Of
the situation and throw up the state
contract. The city of Norfolk saves about
$500 on the city contract and the state will
stand to lose several thousands if its con-
tract is nullitied. The attorney general says
that the action of the Norfolk board is IL
legal and void.
Stole Much Cocaine.
William Muse, a negro boy of fourteen, is
in the city jail to answer charge before
the grand jury of housebreaking and bur-
glary. He entered a drug house here a few
nights ago and succeeded in stealing cocaine
to the value of $500. He did not touch a
thing but the coke sniff" as the negroes
call the stuff. He filed his pockets and
then filled a drummerS sample case and
walked out. He was caught with the stuff
in his possession, and a negro man, Will
liam Brown, was found to have possession
of the sample case. Brown runs negro
eating house, and he was called as a wit
ness in the case, and while he testify
ing he was served with a bench warrant
and is held a party to the robbery. The
negroes will do anything in the world to
get hold of the drug, and it is doing great
deal more to undermine the health of ne
groes than cheap whisky.
Jones for Governor.
Some Of the friends of Representative
William A. Jones of the first district in
sist that he will be candidate for the
gubernatorial nomination. Mr.. Jones is the
only man who can answer that question. II
Mr.. Jones is candidate, then II is said that
Harry st. George Tucker will not aspire.
If Mr.. Jones Is not a candidate, then Mr.
Tucker is in the contest. That makes lust
five avowed candidates at this time-and
the campaign is more than eighteen months
off. They are Judge William II. Mann of
NottoWay, Henry G. Stuart of Russell,
Judge r. T. w. Duke of Charlottesville,
Representative Carter Glass of Lynchburg
and Harry st George Tucker of Rock
bridge. Then there is Col. Robert f. Lee.