Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-06-09
IN THE OLD DOMINION
LIVELY CONTEST FOR A STATE
sENAToRsHIP-A UTILIZATION.



Special Correspondence of The Star.
RICHMOND, June 8, 1907.
Two of the best known members of
the Virginia senate are having oppo-
sition for the senatorial nomination this
summer. In both instances the gentlemen
involved in the contest represent railroads,
and the opposition to them is believed
to be due to the fact that they are
counsel for the carriers of the state. The
first is the candidacy of DIR. c. U. Gravatt
of Caroline, who is in the race against
Senator Henry T. Wickham, for years one
of the foremost members of the upper
branch of the general assembly, and who is
general counsel for the Chesapeake and
Ohio Railroad Company. Senator Wick
ham is vice president of the senate, chair
man of the finance committee and has
been a power in the lawmaking branch of
the government. The other is that of E.
T. Wallace of Lunenburg, who is making a
determined night against Senator William
H. Mann of Nottoway, for a long time a
conspicuous figure in the legislative halls.
Judge Mann Is candidate for governor.
he has been counsel for the Nor folk and
western road for many years. Mr.. Wal
lace has served in the house of delegates
and is a business man and farmer of his
county and district
These two instances serve to show the at
ttude of the people toward the railroads
of the state and the antagonism of the
roads to the order of the state corporation
commission in connection with the two
cent passenger rate matter. The people
are equally as determined the roads
that the issue shall be brought suuarely
and fairly. and 1T is believed by many that
drastic action will follow in case the rail-
roads persist in their attempts to thwart
the Will of the people. 1t cannot be told,
of course, if the two senators will be de-
feated for reelection, but it is an indica-
ton that the people are growing weary of
the tactics of the roads in seeking to delay
the enforcing of the order which will give
relief so long demanded
Temperance People Jubilant.
During the last five months about eight
towns and cities in the state have gone
dry by vote Of the people. The last
place to fall in line was Charlottesville,
which voted the saloons out Of business by
vote that was decisive enough. Other
cities and towns are to vote on the propo-
sfuon in the next few months, and the be-
lief Is that the whole state Is in excellent
shape for passing on the question.
In this city the question is being agitated
OF having the number of saloons reduced
to about one-half and the raising of the
license to not less than $500 a year Some
favor making 1t $1,000. This will certainly
drive many of the places out of business.
There are some three hundred saloons in
and measure houses where liquor is sold
only by measure-and the movement now
on foot is to fix the number at not more
than $50 and to fix the license at nearly
three times the figure now charged. The
agitation of the question has been going
on quietly for some time, and there were
few who would discuss the proposition up
to this time. The plans have been manned
out, and there is good reason to believe
that If the question is submitted to the
people That the vote would be overwhelm-
Ing In favor of fewer places and higher IL
censes.
One Of the most potential arguments in
advocacy of the step Is that since the
ponce nave been closing the saloons at
midnight the records show great de-
crease In the amount of crime.
Flim-Flammed Business Men.
For three months a good-looking, pros.
porous appearing and energetic man, Civ
Ing the name of John Clafiin, has been op-
Grating in this city what he called the
American freight revising bureau" But
he has discontinued the business, closed
the office. left unpaid rent and salary bills
and decamped. What Is more, Clafin is
wanted by the federal courts at Norfolk
for fraudulent use of the malls There are
many hundreds of letters here for Claf1in,
out they are being held by the police and
the federal authorities. Claflin pretended
to have corrections made in the classifica-
tons and rates of freight and to save to
the shippers much money that according
TO me belief OF some, was being paid to
the railroads. He received many letters
containing checks, and these he tucked
away In his inside pocket He wore fine
ciothes and made frequent trips out of the
city. He had elegant manners and made
TRENDS at every turn. A reward of 500 is
offered for his apprehension and the police
are trying to get line on him. The office
furniture has been attached to pay the rent
due. leaving the clerk and stenographer to
wait for their salaries
Wednesday is to be holiday In the state
OF Virginia. Gov. Swanson has issued a
proclamation closing all the departments
suSpenolng al business for the day and
Gaming on all the people Of the state to
Join in making that day and the rest of
the week one to be remembered 1t IS to
be homecoming week, and on that day
all the officials of the state all the militia
and many thousands of civilians are to as
semble at the jamestown exposition The
orders for the movement Of the troons of
the state were issued several days ago, and
this morning and this afternoon many of
the commands began the move to Norfolk.
The troops will all go into camp for a
week.
The Richmond Howitzers, one Of the old
est military organizations in the south,
yesterday began a march from this city to
Norfolk. The battery went equipped for
field service: carrying along the new guns,
for the horses camping outfits and medical
supplies There are about one hundred men
in the command The march will consume
about four days. the men to CAMP out at
night and to rough it going and coming.
The battery will be away ten days.
Gov. Swanson. has declined to interfere in
the case of John Hardy. the negro man who
shot and killed Policeman Beard in Roanoke
last November. The officer had gone to
the house occupied by gang Of negroes
and had called on the man to surrender.
Hardy opened the door and fired full into
the breast of the officer. killing him in
stantly. and then made his escape. He was
traced to the mountains Of Virginia. and
In resisting arrest was badly wounded. He
was brought back. to Roanoke, tried and
sentenced to hang. The supreme court re-
fused to grant new trial. Gov. Swanson
is making a record for himself in the mat
ter Of execution of murderers. So far he
has committed the sentence Of only one
man. and in that case there were unusual
and extenuating circumstances. The gov
ernor takes the position that II the courts
want men to serve life terms in the peni-
Tertiary they must not condemn them to
death and ask him to stay the law. Hardy
is to hang Friday next.
Reunion Echoes.
The last Of the old soldiers have left the
city, all declaring that the reunion was
the greatest success in the history Of the