Evening star., 1909-03-07
PAYING OFF STATE DEBT
State Bonds to Be Retired at Rate Of
100000 Yearly.
F1NANC1ERs ARE SATISFIED
Judge Takes TO Lecture Platform.
Richmond's Mayor Wants Com
mission Administration.
Special Correspondence Of The Star.

Wnat Will De tHe course OF pToIIoItioii-
lists of the state in case Judge William
Hodge Mann makes the some answer
to the liquor people that has been made
by his opponent. Harry st. George Tuck
er?
Tucker has driven away much Of the
independent element who favored him
as against Judge Mann for governor by
saying he would sign bill allowing
the people of the state to vote on the
question of statewide prohibition. He
has previously said that If the general
assembly enacted measure OF the sort
he would veto it.
1t is expected that Judge Mann will,
| to a great extent. stand for pretty much
the same that has been favored by Mr..
Tucker. In case he says he will veto
legislative action looking to statewide
prohibition there Is some talk Of forcing
the Issue and having a direct fight on the
matter this fall and to compel the LIQUOR
people to vote for one or the other OF
the present candidates and have an In
dependent enter the race.
Time is to be given Judge Mann to
make reply. The prohibition element,
defeated at Norfolk. is. however. restive.
There may be some hot times In the Old
Dominion this fall
For ten days there has been a wait for
Judge Mann to make his statement. He
has been urged to state his position with
supreme court Of appeals In the local op-
ton cases for some days and is now at
Nottoway court. where he has several
cases pending
but some Of his close friends are urging
him to say that in case new general
assembly comes here and passes a bill,
following fight In the counties and cities.
for statewide prohibition he will sign
such measure. He takes the stand at
this time that he is local optionist. and
he has always so proclaimed himself. de-
claring that he Is not a prohibitionist.
It Is believed that he will say that II a
large majority Of the dominant party
declares for prohibition he will sign bill
to that end, but he will hesitate long
time to favor bill that may possibly get
through the legislature with the aid of
the twenty republican votes already there.
the party. a thing which the republicans
would welcome gladly.
Prohibition Profitable to Cities.
Already the cry is raised that cities
profit at the expense OF the counties. In
the cities 1t is easy to get liquors at ali
times. The country people say the ef-
feet is to deprive the counties OF the IL
censes. while the cities continue to sup
ply them with liquor at greater price
than before In addition to having to pay
the express charges.
It is also said that the business is more
profitable to the distillers, as for liquor
sold In cities they get cash. and the dis
tributers require cash to accompany or
ders received by them. In this way
there Is the same consumption and the
money IL being handled faster without so
much expense. as there are fewer licenses
and the profits are accordingly larger.
1t Is fact that the express companies
have been compelled to almost double
their forces in this city since North Caro-
lima went dry" In order to handle the
shipments from this city.
Paying OF State Debt.
Under the terms of the contract made
with the holders of the state bonds, be-
ginning with the year 1910 Virginia Is
required to purchase and retire her bonds
at rate Of not less than 100000 a year.
This system is to continue for fifty years.
when double that amount Is to be pur-
chased and retired.
The officers Of the state. however. have
anticipated the time for the beginning
of the settlement, and already more than
100000 Of these bonds have been bought
and Cancelled. The fact is one that is at
tracing attention and favorable mention
at the hands Of financiers.
The anticipation of the payments will
benefit the state. as the interest to be
paid each year Is reduced. the amount be-
ing paid to the sinking fund commission
ers and they in turn buying bonds to
that amount in excess of the prescribed
amount provided In the contract. 1t is
believed that within sixty years the en-
tire debt. which has 100 years to rum
will be wiped out. This will mean a saw
ing to the state annually of nearly
$500. 600.
"Cyclone Jim" on Platform.
Judge James W. Marshall of Craig
county. for some years member Of Con-
gress from the ninth district. one of the
quaintest characters in the state. is to go
on the lecture platform. Judge Marshall
has been a conspicuous figure on the hust-
ings In Virginia for thirty years.
He Is a typical mountaineer. more than
six feet tall, lawyer and wit His droll.
cries and humor have attracted attention
from all parts OF the country.
When he has served In the general as
Sembly and has been announced to make
speech on any measure he has always
shall is remarkably quick and apt in his
discussion Of questions. embellishing
points In a manner that Is Invariably cap
tivating and amusing.
It is expected that he will make his
first bow during the spring going to the
north and west to open his tour. The
older members Of Congress will recall
him, and his speeches in the federal Con-
gress were quoted extensively In the pa
pers of the country.
Mayor Richardson Starts Trouble.
Mayor David Crockett Richardson has
precipitated q great deal Of discussion
and created a great row in municipal at
fairs. For some years there has been
talk OF having a commission administer
the affairs Of the city. a scheme which
has always aroused the ire and opposi-
ton OF petty politicians and ofiiceholders.
Mayor Richardson, In his first message
to the council, openly champions such a
scheme He says that the present system
Is crude. cumbersome. obsolete and un-
wieldy
There are thirty-ive members Of the
lower branch Of the council, with twenty
one In the board OF aldermen. Legisla-
have merit have been defeated by reason
of ward pride.
The city's revenues have been wasted in
many ways. particularly in the matter OF
making improvements. The departments
OF the city do not cooperate as closely
as they might for the welfare of the city,
one result being that the streets are often
paved In patches instead of being COM
pleted from one ward to another.
An effort IS to be made to have the
charter Of the city amended at the COM
ing session Of the general assembly SO
that a commission Of Ave or seven, each
member with salary. shall have entire
charge of the city's business and devote
its entire time to the city. 1t Is be-
money and dispatch business with
prOmptneSS