Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-15
IN THE OLD DOMINION
BLACKSTONE TO FIGHT REMOV-
AL-BRYAN DEMOCRATS.
pecial Correspondence Of The Star.

who has been accused of immortality and
neglect of official duties. The commit
tee which heard the charges has recon-
mended that he be removed. and the
judge has accepted service of the notice.
He says he will fight to the bitter end.
reports of his impending resignation being
denied by him. Judge Blackstone is a
former member Of the general assembly.
and is one of the best known lawyers of
the state. The legislature adopted a
resolution directing an extension of the
session for thirty days. so that the re-
quired notice could be served and the
removal made when that time had ex-
pired. The general assembly will re-
convene March % and at once proceed
with the case. Judge Blackstone will
fight the case to the Supreme Court of
the United States.
While all this talk of removal has been
going on the aspirants for the position
have begun to multiply. Judge f. E.
Elizabeth City county, is In the race;
Ohio G. Mears of Northampton. Is an
other candidate; Clarence w. Robinson of
Newport News also seeks to occupy
position on the bench. The general as
sembly will. in case Judge Blackstone is
removed, elect a successor to the deposed
official when 1t returns to this city.
bTydu anu
Col. William Jennings Bryan is to speak
before the general assembly in this city
the evening of March %. He is to come
as the guest of the general assembly and
will be entertained by the governor while
here. The proposition to have the Ne
braskan come here at this time emanated
with Senator Eearly Of Greene. and was
adopted with rush by both branches.
f0
gentleman. and 1t was thought that he
would be able to come here while on his
last visit to the east. His engagements
were such. however. that 1t was impos-
come March %. and. by coincidence. that
is the time which the general assembly
had previously fixed for reconvening.
In that connection it is said that the
meeting of the state democratic commit
tee. which is to fix a time and place for
the meeting of the state convention. which
is to elect delegates to Denver, will be
called to convene about the same time.
State Chairman Ellyson, however. has
not positively decided on this date. but
iintimated very strongly that it might
be around that time.
Politicians are discussing the possibility
of several Of the prospective candidates
for the gubernatOrial nomination dropping
out OF the struggle. Judge Mann. how
ever. is not one of those who will retire.
He is organizing his forces and is at
tending to such details at this time as
present themselves. The unconfirmed re-
port is that the four gentlemen most
prominently connected may deem it the
part of wisdom to have the issue between
Judge Mann and some other candidate
fought to a finish, and to let others wait
more favorable time. There is no I'M
derrating of the strength of either of TIE
four gentlemen who are mentioned as
opposing Judge Mann, whose candidacy
Is said to be the choice of the machine"
1t cannot be ascertained who is respon-
sible for the report that one or the other
OF the candidates will retire, but it is
being discussed in political circles. That
the recent Rhea investigation will cut Il
figure Is accepted. and as Judge Mann
was the friend and champion of Judge
Rhes he will have to defend his action
In that case. Judge Rhea Is said to be
part of the machine. and the machine
will stand by Judge Mann. The report of
combination is not given credence, as it
Is too soon for a move of the sort even
II the gentlemen concerned were to enter
tain such scheme or idea. But it is po-
Htical talk in certain circles.
Byrd Bill Becomes Law.
The Byrd liquor bill, which attracted
SO much attention and which was dis
cussed for nearly a week in the senate,
has become a law. The bill makes many
changes in the liquor laws of the state.
1t practically puts an end to all the social
clubs by putting them on precisely the
same footing as saloons. The same
license tax is required and the same gen.
era1 regulations are to apply. There is
to be no selling or furnishing or serving
of liquors in the clubs on Sundays. cleo
ton days or at Christmas. That is the
law and the bill was signed by the gov
ernor a day or two ago. The bill Is
tightly drawn for the express purpose of
the sale Of liquor in fake
clubs and in such places as have no po~
lice protection. The bill went through
the general assembly with little objection.
1t shows that the sentiment in the state
is fast growing against the sale OF
liquor.
one of the new features of the bill is
that which prevents any person from
taking a drink on passenger train with
out first getting the consent of the con-
ductor in charge of the train. This is
for the purpose of ending the drunkenness
in the southwest part of the state and on
excursions. Whisky Is often sold to men
who board trains on which ladies and
children are passengers. and they nave
been insulted and Inundated by these
persons. Negroes. toe, have given troupie
in the past on this score and the law is
to put an effectual stop to that trouble.
The general assembly has appropriated
S425 900 for the payment of pensions 10
Confederate veterans and their dependent
widows. But that is not all Inc iegls-
lature enacted a law whereby each city
council and each county board or super
visors can make a levy for pensions and
devote the entire sum thus realized TO the
payment of pensions in sucn county OF
city. This practice Is already IN vogue
in acme of the counties of the state, the
local levy making the pension to old and
decrepit persons something like $50
year.
Trying to Save Murderer.
Charles Thurman Of Paducah, KY,
who is alleged to be a relative of the
DISTINGUISHED family of that name. is here
and is using his efforts to have Gov.
Swanson commute the sentence of his
brother. Leo c. Thurman, now In Norfolk
iail under sentence of death. Mr.. Thur
man says he has abundant proof to show
that his brother Is an insane man. the
result of a blow inflicted ten years ago.
Leo has been a wanderer on the face OF
the earth since that time. He was In
the navy for a time, and was discharged
therefrom after a service of three years.
He murdered Walter P. Dolsen, former
shipmate while the two men We're &C
cupying the same room In Norfolk The
killing was brutal. Dolsen was hacked
to pieces with an axe and the BODY OF
the murdered man was packed III
trunk.
Thurman disappeared. being finally
caught in Vancouver, b. G.. He was ex-
tradited and tried in Norfolk. being con-
yicted. His death was ordered March IL,
but the governor commuted IT lor TWO
weeks The condemned man is writing
-. 80 1T, Nfa and asked the governor