Evening star., 1909-05-23
NO CAMPAIGN DEBATES
Mann and Tucker No LONGER
Pitted on Stump.
PETERSBURG TO VOTE DRY
Negress Works Wonders in Charge
of Reformatory.
INSURANCE AGENTS TO MEET
Scottish Rite Masons Close Conven-
tion-Pythians to Gather at
Newport News Next Week.
Special Correspondence Of The Star.

Special Correspondence Of The Star.
RICHMOND, Va, May 22. 1909.
The possibility that the members of the
state democratic committee are averse to
further debates between candidates for
nomination at the primary may be
sponsible for the determination of Mr.
Tucker in disseminating challenges to
Judge Mann.
Judge Mann since the meeting of the
state committee has made no reference
whatever to Mr.. Tucker Mr.. Tucker is
paying some attention. however, to Judge
Mann and his position on certain matters.
Mr.. Tucker is also engaged in giving
some attention to what Judge Mann said
about him in his speech at Buckingham
Court House several days ago, when some
declarations were made regarding the
record of Mr. Tucker. That the debates
and the charges and counter-charges
have had the effect of producing bitter
ness no one will deny.
One of the remarkable phases of the
campaign If the attitude of the liquor
men in many parts of the state who are
supporting Judge Mann. On the other
hand. several members of the senate,
serving with Judge Mann during the last
session, are aligned for Mr.. Tucker.
The thing is considerably mixed. While
Mann will win by a majority of 10000,
there are well posted politicians of the
state who say the vote will be close,
although practically all agree that the
candidate from Nottoway has the best
show.
Will Change Primary Plan.
This is to be the last primary under the
existing plan, as decided by vast ma
jority of the members of the state COM
mittee at the meeting held here. The
plan has failed in everything that it was
expected to accomplish.
The prime and avowed object of the
primary was to defeat Senator Thomas
s. Martin. In that, the first and signal
failure of the scheme was registered.
The next step was to allow the people to
express their choice for candidates before
going to the general election.
That has proven dismal failure. for
under the operations of the plan 1t has
proven so costly that there are few who
dare to offer for positions. There are
only two candidates for governor in lieu
of three four years ago; one candidate
for United States senator, but that was
expected, for no Virginian appears willing
to stand against Senator Daniel and to
have defeat for his trouble; there are two
candidates for attorney general, the same
as four years ago. Beyond that the can
ddateS have clean field.
1t has transpired that the primary of
four years ago cost the candidates for
governor something like $4,000 each, and
one of them spent close on to $4,000.
The plan prohibits any but the .ils'' from
Offering. and for this reason politicians
are turning against it. The people do not
have a chance to register their prefer
enceS. for the reason that they have no
one to vote for but the man already in
Office.
There are some few exceptions, but in
case of the members of Congress this
is true. The "office trust is being de-
nounced and there is demand for a
return to the convention idea that the
party may frame a platform and declare
the principles of the party instead of
having the candidates dragging the party
after them on self-appointed issues.
Negro Reformatory.
About year ago John H. Smyth, presi-
dent of the Negro Reformatory died.
His management Of the reformatory had
been successful, and with his death an
executive committee of the board of
trustees was named to direct the insti-
tuition.
The committee appointed a colored
Woman-A. E. Shippen, sister-in-law to
President Smyth-to take charge. She
made her first report to the trustees a
few days ago, and in one year she has
accomplished wonders
When she took charge there was an
Indebtedness of several thousand dollars.
This has been paid off, new buildings
have been provided. the farming outlook
is most encouraging, the boys are
healthy, well fed and well clothed. and
the committee-composed of leading
white men. including two judges of the
supreme court and lawyers and business
men-cordially indorsed her administra-
ton in every way and made her the
superintendent.
She is given a home. rooms. servants,
and is paid about $1,000 a year. The
institution Is supported by the state. and
she is the first negro woman to be
placed at the head of any institution in
this state.
Insurance Agents to Meet.
Local agents of the several fire insur-
ance companies doing business in Vir-
ginia are to meet in this city Monday
morning for a session of some three
days. The agents are to assemble to
discuss matters pertaining to their work.
to discuss laws which affect them, to
consider what changes are necessary for
their protection and that of the people
of the state. The agents are cordially
supporting the insuIance commissioner
in efforts to drive from the state wild
cat concerns.
The week closing has been one of i'm
2ortance to the Scottish Rite Masons of
virginia. The spring reunion of all the
affiliated bodies of the. order began here
Monday night and continued to the end
of the week.
The degrees. beginning with the fourth
and ending with the thirty-second. were
conferred on the largest class that has
ever offered in the history of the order
The work was done on scale that ha
not before been witnessed in the south
A choir made up of men and women
furnished the music. the work requiring
several hours each night. Following each
session there was banquet.
Pythian Grand Lodge.
The Grand Lodge of of.Pythians of Virginia
will convene in Newport News Tuesday
evening at 8 O'Clock. The grand chan
cellor, the Rev. John II. Dickinson, will
make his report. The increase in MEM