Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-10-30
NEGROES IN VIRGINIA
PREPARE FOR BALLOT
Their Determination to PartiC-
ipate in Campaign Is
Cause of Surprise.
Special Correspondence of The Star.

Special Correspondence of The Star.
RICHMOND, Va, October %. Ic10.
After having been for eight years prac-
tically out of politics in all parts CT the
state, there is a concerted movement
among the negroes to become factors IN
the voting. They have begun to organize
and are appealing to the negroes to pay
their taxes and to qualify to vote.
We urge our people to register and to
vote in order that our numerical strength
shall be a factor in every community,
says one Of the circular letters which
have been issued in this city.
This letter and the activity being shown
at this time are causing some surprise, as
when the new constitution became effec-
tive and the negroes We're cut out Of their
votes they declared that they would
have nothing to do with the political con-
ditions again. NoW they are manifestly
intending to get into the contests again
Just what may be the cause of this is not
known. but the fact that they are paying
up at this time and getting ready TO vote
next year may have some signihcance,
inasmuch as the question of prohibition
will be important in the campaign for
members Of the legislature. And the
brother in black is strong for his right
to take a drink if he shall feel SO dis
posed"
Writing Virginia History.
DR.. Douglas S. Freeman of this city,
one of the youngest educators and
students in Virginia at one time engaged
in literary work. has signed contract to
write a history of the state of Virginia
for a publishing company of New York
and Chicago. The work has to be COM
pleted by January. 1912. and the task
will be assumed at once. Dr., Freeman
has done considerable newspaper work in
Virginia, and at this time is secretary of
the state tax commission, having charge
of the perfecting of system whereby
taxes can be equalized. adjusted and all
made to bear the burdens Of taxation.
Col. Morton Marye, who for nearly
quarter of century has been auditor of
public accounts for the state, will retire
from office when his present term expires.
January 81, 1872 provided he does not
decide to resign before that time. Col.
Marye is native of Alexandria, served
in the Confederate states army, lost leg
and is one of the most ardent democrats
to be found in the state. He came to the
office which he now holds when the read
juster regime went by the boards and the
democrats were again placed in power.
He has never had any opposition Tor his
office.
Already there is considerable speculation
as to who will succeed to the office. G.
Lee Moore the chief clerk. who has been
with Col. Marye since he entered the Of
flee, is an aspirant, and so is Senator
George b. keeZell of Rockingham and
Senator Don P. Halsey of Lynchburg.
The general assembly has to make an
election, but in case of a resignation the
governor would have to appoint. Col.
Marye is more than eighty years old.
Defeat Slemp and Parsons.
With the congressional election just ten
days off, there is more figuring on re-
suits The claims of the candidates and
the party management are as variant as
the parties themselves, and the partisans
are beginning to put up some money.
There are really two contests in the state
in the fifth and in the ninth. The dem
ocrats in the fifth say that Judge Saun-
ders is certain to defeat Senator Parsons,
pointing to the fact that there is dissen-
sion in the ranks and Mr.. Parsons is op-
posed by a republican as we'll as by
Judge Saunders.
From the ninth district the reports are
strong that Henry c. Stuart will GER
tainly defeat Representative Slemp. The
campaign has been hit and is about the
liveliest thing the state has seen for
years. Practically all the campaigning
by both parties has been done in the fifth
and ninth. and there is no let-up until
after the day preceding the election. Bet
ting in the ninth, which has long been
republican. is favoring Stuart. that in
itself being an indication of the situation
as viewed by the republicans Senator
Martin, Gov. Swanson, Representative Will
liam a. Jones. Representative Glass and a
host Of others have been on the stump in
the two districts mentioned, and Chair
man Eilyson has just returned from a
swing around the circuit. Mr.. Ellyson
says that the party will this year send
ten democrats to Congress from Virginia,
being a gain of one for the Old Dominion.
and the republicans are claiming that
they will send two to Washington, there
by gaining one.