The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-04-23
LEAGUE READY TO .
! TAKE ACTIVE PART
southsidc Political Organization
Will Support Martin and
Swanson.
MANY NAMES NOW ON ROLL
Leader Tells Some OF the Objects
Which 1t Is Hoped to
Obtain.

Leaders OF the new Washington
Ward Democratic League, which num-
hers now about $40 voters, have
thrown aside their former caution and
have openly announced that the
league Will support Martin and Swan.
son in the coming senatorial campaign
This statement Is made on the author.
ity of one of the organizers OF the
new political league.
I'VE shall endcavor to swing tho
influence OF this organization to the
support of the present Senator's" said
a leader yesterday. "and although the
Washington Ward Democratic League
was not organized for this SPECIFIC
purpose. II VIII undoubtedly back
these two men. Yes. the league was
organized for the particular purpose
of lettering the political situation
In the Southsidc and protecting the
Interests Of this ward In city icgisln
:ion as well as State. but the league
VIII throw Its support TO some par
ticulnr candidate In all elections that
affect this ward. We shall not put n
candidate In the held in the council
manic elections. but we shuli back n
definite one each time.
Our greatest struggle will be for
a Washington Ward representative in
the Legislature. and this We Will work
for to the finish"
Thought So All Along.
Although Il was repeatedly denied
when The league WAS in the process
Of organization that IL WAC for the
pf ma Ip,,I In a "A
and would not NEEDLE III tho senate
rial tight, the announcement that Mar
TIN and Swanson will be pickcd by
the league does not come ms sur
prise 10 the wise ones In tho South
side. 1t has been ruinored for some
time that the league Was being or
SuniZed to swing the Southside votes
to the right side" and to kindle in
tcrest in the election, but authoritative
confirmation of this was lacking.
While il now seems that the league
was formed with the view OF support
Ing the present Senators, 1t Is most
probable that the organization VIII be
permanent one. The leaders give
out the statement that 1t is to be run
on the lines OF the Clay Ward Ac,ives.
and If that is so. will WELD strong
influence on the south side OF the river.
The organizers of the league are work
ing Quietly. but zcalously for members
OF the club. and $40 names have been
enrolled.
Among other things. the leaders are
urging every qualified voter In the
ward TO pay his poll tax before Nav
y which Is the last day allowed by
law. Those who do not pay the tax
before that date cannot vote in the
primary. II Is thought that the In
Euence OF this new factor in Washing.
ton Ward politics will be felt when tho
ballots are counted and the turnout OF
voters this year compared with that
OF previous years
Open Air Meetings.
When the weather opens m ana
becomes warm enough for outdoor
meetings. the league will begin Its ac.
uVity. Through the efforts OF this
organization, many speakers vii, be
Invited to address the Southside yotars
and the result VIII probably be one
or the warmest and liveliest senatorial
campaigns this section has ever known.
Ihere is some talk of securing suitabl
rooms, but no positive stops have been
taken In this direction. Most of the
political meetings held under tho
auspices of this organization VIII ho
In the open air.
It is not the purpose of the league !
to participate at all In the coming poli-
teal campaign in Chesterfield county
for the Offices OF County Treasurer.
commemorative Attorney and dele
gates to the Legislature. as the league
is strictly a ward organization. Only
voters qualified to vote In Richmond
elections will be received into the
me I'm DcrShiD of the league