Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-03
IN THE OLD DOMINION
ANTI-sALooN LEAGUE READY,
FOR PROHIBITION FIGHT.
Sponsors" May Be Eliminated as
Feature Of Confederate
Reunions.
Special Correspondence Of The Star.

Special Correspondence Of The Star.
RICHMOND, Va. February 2, 1907.
The forces of the state are aligning for
what promises to be a hot prohibition fight
at an early day. For some time the men,
bers Of the Women's Christian Temperance
Union have been engaged in making list
Of the names of all church members for the
purpose of finding out just how many are
voters and who have paid their poll tax
and are qualified to vote The work was
done quietly and at the request Of the state
Anti-saloon League. The league has made
wonderful strides in the last few years,
the claim being made that the effects of
the Mann liquor law, which has been in
force for three years, has convinced many
people that the restriction Of the sale of
liquor has proven great blessing. About
1000 saloons have been closed In the coun-
ty districts in which there is no police pro-
lection, and statistics show that crime has
materially decreased, while In the cities
the criminal expenditures have been enor-
nous, and are growing.
The general belief of men versed in polit-
ical affairs is that were an election held in
Virginia at this time the state would go
dry by enormous majority. This Is
directly traceable to the new constitution,
which purged the registration lists and
eliminated practically all of the element
which is favorable to the saloon. The whis-
ky people know this, and for that reason
they are not anxious for test Of strength
at this any other time in the near fu-
ture. In this city the ordinance closing all
saloons at midnight Is effective, beginning
yesterday, the doors being closed till q
clock.
Sponsors and Reunions.
The social end of the confederate reunions
,v1yi1 hot will fol-
much of the interest out of the events The
idea among the soldiers is to cut out the
sponsor and maid Of honor features, so
that only the soldiers will figure. 1t is
contended that many cities that would be
glad of a chance to entertain the veterans
are prohibited from so doing by reason
OF the enormous expense incident to al
their maids. Then, too, bitter rivalries
have sprung up owing to the aspirations
of women who have claims on the ap-
pointment. Jealousies have arisen that
caused breaches in more than one section
of the state, and have served to estrange
erstwhile fast friends.
Court Reorganization.
In the supreme court Of appeals yester-
day Judge James Keith was reelected pres
ident of the court. This court was reor-
ganized in it's entirety, all the members TAX
ing the oath of Office and qualifying for the
terms for which they were elected by the
last general assembly, this being the first
day of the new term. Judge Harrison drew
the long term of twelve years, Judge Keith
the term of ten years. Judge Buchanan the
term of eight years. Judge Whittle the term
of six years and Judge Cardwell the term
of four years. Hereafter the general as
sembly will each year elect one member Of
the court. In this last election, however.
all the old members were reelected and
succeeded themselves without opposition.
In connection with the reorganization of
the court 1t is worthy of note that 1t is COM
judges is more than six feet in height and
weighs more than 30 pounds, all the mem
bers being men Of jovial disposition and
having a propensity for hard work The
the court sits is kept well up, condition
that has not existed prior to the election
Of the court as constituted this time.
Infested With Crooks. =
The detectives of the city are alarmed at
the presence here of SO many crooks of
various kinds Within the last few days
several professionals have been landed by
the detectives, and a vigorous search is
being made for others that are thought to
have come here. The police advance the
theory that the advent of the trunk men,
the satchel men, pickpockets, fiim-fammers
and others Is due to the approach of the
opening of the jamestown exposition, and
| they are preparing to cope with the thiev-
ing element in maner that will cause
many to hesitate before coming here. The
police justice invariably sends the men to
| the grand jury, which means at least a
term of six months in JAIL and In case of
conviction-and Virginia juries are not the
least backward in handing out stiff SEN
fences to crimfnals-they may have to work
on the roads and be confined in convict
callps. 1t is rare that one of the crooks"
| land here and get away. There are several
10, xl4 toll l,ar nf
the grand jury.
Labor is Scarce.
The mills and manufactures in and
around this city are handicapped by the
lack of help. In the cigar factories the
shortage Is most noticeable, the various
! firms advertising in many papers for women
and girls. The paper-box factories are also
short, while the shirt factories and other
| such Institutions are a long way behind
with orders. There are no cooks or house
maids to be had among the negroes. They
are here in abundance, but they fatty re-
fuse to work. The city is daily called on
to furnish food and fuel to idle negroes,
and the taxpayers are beginning to enter
protests against this when there is an
abundance of work of all sorts to be had
here by even applying. 1t is expected that
a roundup of the idle classes will begin
shortly and the men and women either
forced to go to work or to leave the city.
There have been very many less applica-
tons for help by white men and women
| this winter than for years. The advent of
white servants from Europe is being hailed
with delight, and as fast as they come they
are given permanent and remunerative en-
ployment.
| James Aston Cabell Of this city Is being
urged by his friends to enter the contest
| for the governorship, and it Is expected
| that he will do so. He will make the
| twelfth man to be considered for the nomi-
| nation at this time.
| HIGH SCHOOL,. ALUMNI