The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-03-14

With the ordinance through the
Councils and signed by the Mayors OF
both cities, the consolidation contest
has narrowed down to a fight at the
polls which will doubtless be one OF
the hottest ever waged III the city OF
Manchester. On the annexation side,
in spite OF the fact that strong or.
ganization has been perfected, and 1t
is practically assured that the vote
will be Overwhelming, there Is not let
up In tho politicating. and every day
new members are being added to tho
Consolidation Club
Little is known OF the deliberations
of the other side, except that the
leaders are active and doing every
thing possible to block the movement.
even II they are not able to defeat 1t.
There are several rumors to the effect
that meetings will be held during the
week, but those on the outside have
not been able to get a line on them.
or to induce any OF the leaders to agree
to thresh the matter out In joint pub
lie debate.
Court to Act.
The ordinance as passed by the two
Councils is now In the proper shape
to go into the hands OF the Judge OF
the Corporation Court. SO that he can
designate the date of an election. Be-
ing resident OF Manchester. Judge
Wells. OF the Corporation Court, is not
qualified to name the date, and early
this morning Governor Mann will DO
petitioned to designate Judge, which
he is expected to do at once. Accord
ing to the statute the ordinance is to
remain in his hands for five days. in
order that any one who care to may
contest its validity. 1t is expected that
members of the opposition, through
their attorney, ". c. Pulliam. will
make stand at this time, though It
is not known Just what part OF the
ordinance will be attacked
In the event that no contest is made,
or that 1t is not successful. the Judge
named will designate the date of the
election, which must be held not less
than fifteen nor more than thirty days
afterwards. After election day ten
days are allowed in which the opposi-
ton may make complai Int and formal.
ly institute contest proceedings. II
this is not done. consolidation will be
effective on the eleventh day after the
election, at noon.
The annexation element. is closely
watching all developments In this d.
rection. and does not think that any
serious opposition will be lodged. They
are not taking anything for granted.
however. and are preparing themselves
to meet any and all emergencies. "A
we'll organized committee of citizens
from each ward is busy canvassing
the city and actually taking the names
of all those who will vote for the
measure. They now have list con-
tanning the greater number OF voters
In the city. but Will Keep UP the work
to the last day of the campaign. so as
to be sure of rolling up big majority.
The special committee appointed to
take charge Of the meeting at the Ma
sonic Temple Thursday night is as fol-
lows: Chairman 4. j. Nichols, w. r..
Rudd, Hugh Royal, c. S. Wells and
James a. Baber
Among those who have lately become
members OF the Consolidation Club
are ". T. Hurst. r. F, I4eadbetter, r.
f. Shinett. G. II. Belts. Thomas j. Tur-
pin. A.. Royal Turpn. Howard Gregory,
a. Fl. Reynolds, j. A. Bnber, II. G..
Johnson. w. NJ Gallagher, u. B. Gnllo-
way, ". G. Green, j. B. Fultz. j. w.
Durham. 3. p. Owen, u. ". Gregory,
J W. PurdS, Charles Mirgham, H. FL.
Pcndleton, w. j. Jones. Paul Tunstall.
II. Royal, George Z. Stafford. w.
Nunnally, Henry Kelley. II. Fl. Pinkle-
tom C.. a. Watkins. DR.. O. S. Owen. B.
II. WARMER J. G. Hollywood, r. L.. Hog
wood s5 I'll tii3 iess1s3s