Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-24

l HSnI, the money pdSSlIlS III pldH view
| of the public. For years such trans
| actions have been reported. were COM
mon talk and in party councils the need
for money has been impressed 1t is
/ an open secret that in the last congress
| sional election more than $15O.O90 was
/ spent in that district.
| Judge Skeen means business this time,
and he has promised immunity to those
| who are guilty if they will come for
] ward and tell all that they know. The
officers at first refused to take advan-
| tage of the offer, and then the voters
| were told the same thing. There ap-
| peared one or two men who wanted to
| see the condition ended, and they went
| before the grand jury and made some
of some fifty indictments. This served
to arouse the people. and there was a
| rush to get under cover. More than
| 80 indictments have been returned, and
| Skecn has ordered a recess to Febru-
| airy, and in the meantime the detec-
| tives employed will get other evidence
| and be ready.
| Judge Is Criticised.
| Republicans have been finding fault
with Judge Skeen and are disposed to
criticise him harshly for taking up the
matter, declaring that the democrats are
| sore at defeat, hence the kick. Judge
Skeen is not worrying over such charges,
/
the bottom. He has called the defeated
democrats to the jury room, and they
| have taken the immunity bath-telling
all that they know and to whom and
how much money was paid for votes in
their interest and by them. This has
given a new lead, and it is known that
some Of the democrats of that county
| have Joined in the exodus and have quit
/ m mr.
Judge Skeen has announced that he will
not rest till he has gotten the names of
all who have violated the law.
The ''disbursing agent for the demo-
Gratis is known to have been a well known
merchant of Lee county, the county seat
| of which is Jonesville, and the republi-
cans relied on a former sheriff of the
county to attend to the finances OF the
party. The names of these men have
been furnished the judge. 1t is said that
the manner of getting the money to the
disbursing officers was novel. 1t would
be sent to the members OF the national
committee of the two parties residing
outside the state, and by them sent to
the men who were to see that it went
where 1t would do most good.
Lee county is the first to come under
the notice of the inquisitorial body, and
there are Wise and Dickinson yet to fol-
low. There is a positive statement that
Scott county is the most corrupt county
| In the section. and that is expected to be
taken up by another judge. The names
| of some prominent politicians are being
mentioned in this work, and it is said
| that a close relative of one gentleman
well known in public life has left the
state and gone to kentucky. II Is be-
| lieved that prominent democrats and re-
publicans will be involved before the
thing comes to an end.
| New President for w. & L.
The term of DIR. George II. Denny,
| president of Washington and Lee Uni
| versity will end with the New Year
| and already there is movement to
| choose president prior to the meet
| ing of the board Of trustees. This
| meeting will be held during the spring.
| Prominent among the gentlemen who
! have been mentioned are DIR. Douglass
| S. Freeman, for some time editorial
| writer on one Of the papers here, now
| state tax commission secretary. The
| latest name to he mentioned for the
honor, however, is that of Joseph D.
| Eggleston. for many years superin-
tendent OF public instruction. and who
is now completing his seventh year in
| that Office.
Dr. Freeman declares that he is too
young for the office, and that he thinks
| 1T should go to some gentleman who
| is more suited by training than HIM
self. and for that reason he is said to
be supporting Mr.. Eggleston. The lat
/ ter has done more to modernize and
revolutionize education in Virginia
| than has been done for the preceding
! quarter OF century.
Who Will Be Auditore
| With the approach of the date for
| the general assembly to get down to
| work there is renewed activity in the
II
i public accounts. There are Ave candi-
dates for the office. and each of the
/ FIVE is certain that he will walk away
| with the prize. Those who are in a
i position to know declare that the fight
! is between Harry NJ. Darnau Of Ro-
| anoke: Charles A. Johnston Of Mont
| gomery and G. Lee Moore of this city
chagrined at the candidacy of Mr.
Johnston, whom they say refused to
/ enter the contest until after he had
been defeated by republican for the
house: He had: they say, agreed to
i the latter had contributed to his cam
Il paign fund In the general election. and
/ aided him in getting the nomination.
Mr.. Johnston is former member Of
the house.
Trouble for Liquor Men.
II Whether the temperance forces manage
to force the issue and demand the enact
ment Of the statewide enabling act at
the hands Of the legislature or not, the
fact is that there will be much trouble
for the dispensers Of the ardent in the
Old Dominion the ceming year. The
state II needing more revenue. and she Is
II preparing to increase the taxes on all
classes OF dealers. The impression Of
those who have discussed the matter and
II who know what Is contemplated say that
II the raise will be general and that at least
% per cent will be added.
II This indicates the growing sentiment
against liquor in Virginia. where more
than 60 per cent OF the counties are with
out q legalized establishment, and also In
the cities. where the number Of saloons Is
restricted to fixed number. The liquor
men are kicking, holding that they have
! been called on to stand by the parties In
electing members OF the legislature. and
that they are - be rewarded BIZ being