Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-05
IN THE OLD DOMINION
PRoHIBITIoNISTS ACTIVE IN
POLITICS.
Special Correspondence Of The Star.

Cardwell of the Virginia house of dele
gates that he would not stand for re-elec-
ton this fall, there are nearly a score OF
applicants for the position of speaker
Among the number are Richard E. Byrd of
Winchester, who served in the last house
and who ranked as one of the more promi-
nent of the members of that body. Capt.
w. w. Baker of Chesterfield, another aspi-
rant. has served five consecutive terms in
the house, and is one of the old men of
the body. The others are John w. Church
man of Augusta. Upton d. Jennings of
Lynchburg. Edwin P. Cox sof this city, c.
T. Bland of Portsmouth, D. H. Powers of
Caroline and Robert w. Withers of Suf-
folk. The election of members will take
place in November, and the new general
assembly will meet in January, 1908. This
Will be the first election under the new
constitution when all members of the legis-
lature are to be chosen-the members of
the senate for a term of four years and
the members of the house for two years.
The prohibition element of the state has
taken a most aggressive position, and at
every point in which the fighting has been
forced save one) they have succeeded in
winning out. The recent elections in Bris-
tol (both in Virginia and Tennessee) were
largely against the saloons, and Radford
aligned along with the twin city. In
Amherst county, near Lynchburg, the judge
has refused to grant license, and in many
parts of the state the number of licenses
has been much reduced. In only one dis
trict in single county in the state has
there been victory for the wet ele-
ment and that was in York county, where
the "drys' lost out by a majority of four
votes. The impression prevails that the
larger cities of the state will soon be called
on to vote on the matter, and there are few
who express any belief other than that the
state-if the vote for the entire state is
taken at one time-will vote against the
nj 10 Inn hat he
anti-saloon element Is perfecting it's or
ganization and Is making a strong presen-
tation of the criminal expenses of the
counties in which there are no saloons as
compared with the counties operating sa-
looms.
Judge Rhea's Refusal.
The declination of Judge Rhea of Bristol
to accept the position on the corporation
commission made vacant by the resigna-
ton of Judge Crump occasioned some sur
prise here. Several months ago it was an
nounced that Judge Rhea would accept the
vacancy caused by the expiration of the
term of Henry c. Stuart. and the reason
assigned for not accepting at this time is
that he has many legal matters in such
shape that he cannot leave them. There
is some opposition to Judge Rhea among
the papers in that section of the state
intense party loyalty. The belief is that
he will succeed Mr.. Stuart in January of
next year, thus giving him a full term
OF six years on the commission. Judge
Robert X. Prentiss of Suffolk, who has been
rendered the appointment, is one of the
more prominent of the younger members
of the judiciary. He will fill Judge Crump's
unexplred term, which expires January 81,
1910. =
Henry c. Stuart of Tazewell, who is to
leave the corporation commission upon the
expiration of his term. will enter the race
for governor. That Is what his closest
personal and political friends are saying.
1t Is said that he will come from his sec
ton Of the state with practically the entire
vote of the democratic party. He Is a
business man with large and varied inter-
ests. He would have quit the corporation
commission a year ago but for the fact
that he had begun the hearing of the rail-
road cases and determined to remain until
the matter was finally adjusted. Judge
William H. Mann said a few days ago that
he was already in the race and that he
would win. He finished next to Gov. Swan
son in the last campaign, and since that
time he has been hammering away and
building his organization In all parts of the
state, especially where he made the poor
est showing. Friends Of Harry ST. George
Tucker of Rockbridge say that he will GER
tainly enter the race for the nomination,
and that If be does there is little probable
ity that Representative William A. Jones
will do SO. If Mr.. Tucker decides not to
stand for the nomination. then Mr.. Jones
is expected to be a candidate.
Representative Carter Glass will unques-
enter the contest, and he will make
enough to suit the people. AS stumper,
with catchy and pleasing phrases. Mr.. Glass
Is one of the very best in the state He Is
a strong man in his own district and Is
we'll known.
Senatorial Contest.
In the Lynchburg senatorial district there
is a contest on for the nomination that is
the people of the entire state.
The contest is based on the election Of
successor to United States Senator John
w. Daniel. Senator Thomas has announced
that he will not vote for Senator Daniel to
succeed himself. Mr.. Halsey says he will
vote for Senator Daniel Senator Thomas is
attacking Senator Daniel for opposing some
Of the principles laid down by William Jen-
nings Bryan, particularly that relative to
government control OF railroads, Senator
being an ardent government own
ershp advocate.
Railroad officials here decline to say what
they will do In the matter Of contesting
In the-courts the decision Of the corporation
in the freight and passenger
rate regulation announced few days ago.
While 1t Is not stated on the authority Of
any one connected with the lines which are
ordered to place their rates at cents for
passenger traffic, IL is known that they will
contest and carry the case to the supreme
court Of the state and then to the United
States court. The record in the case Is one
Of the largest ever seen in the courts. It
contains some twenty-five thousand pages,
rates, schedules, classifcations,
statements of earnings. expenses and all
sorts of details In connection with the OPP
Grafton of the roads. If the appeal IL taken
the battle will be royal, the attorney gen.
eral and Allen Caperton Braxton to repre-
sent the commission. while all the lawyers
of all the railroads will appear for the COM
panies.
The Loving Tragedy.
The trial of the charge Of murder against
Judge William G. Loving of Nelson for
killing Theodore Estes of that county, will
be called at the May term of the circuit
court Of Nelson. beginning the 9th. 1t is
not considered probable that Judge B. T.
Gordon will preside Several years ago he
had an alteration with Judge Loving, and
since that time Judge Gordon has been
elevated to the judiciary. Not that alone,
but Judge LOving's counsel, Aubrey E.
Strode a member of the state, senate when
Gordon was made judge. made a vigorous
fight against Gordon and supported another
gentleman. The belief is that the case will
Aa t,-ta In, tv FOR q 10