The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-10-02
HOUSE CANDIDATE
OPPOSES POLL TAX
Makes Its Abolition as Applied
to Voting His Issue in
Campaign.
REPUBLI CANS AT WORK
Trying to Make Gains in Valley.
Democrats Fight in
Southwest.
REPUBLI CANS AT WORK

Out in Pulaski county. where fight
for the Democratic nomination for the
House of Delegates Is just bcginL,- &.
new issue has been raised. O. C.
Brewer former member of the House
and until now regarded as probable
winner, has come out for an amend
mcnt to the Constitution eliminating
the poll tax payment as prerequisite
to the franchise. Mr. Brewers oppop-
ents. r. e. Boothc and Haven B. Howe
say they favor the retention of the
poll tax as qualification for Voting.
Ever since the PRONUNCIATION OF the
Constitution there has been more or
less desultory discussion OF the poil
TAX provision, and amendments have
been proposed more than once in the
Legislature, never to get further than
the Committee on Privileges and Elec-
tioDs
1t is fact that in the Southwesp
the requirement of the prepayment OF
7 this tax six months in advance of the
I election Is regarded By many citizens
as nuisance. and IL has the further
! objection Of having been a tool for
politicians. In fact. with the very
] frst election after the new Constitu-
/. slonr the Republicans got busy and
1 formed an organization TO see that
their voters paid by the required time
IAN organization that remains intacr
and successful to this day.
List Nearly Complete.
Some half dozen nominations remain
10 be made for the Legislature. and
these Viii be Tor the most part ais
posed OF this week. The list OF nomi-
save in the First District whose con-
rention will be held in Bristol on We'd
ncsday. ID. c. Cumrnins. OF Abingdon
VIII In all probability, be named to OPP
pose Senator a. 7. Lincoln. who has
been renominated by the Republicans.
The convention for Bristol and Wash
inBton county VIII meet Thursday at
Abingdon 10 choose two candidates
Tor the House OF Delegates
The Democrats will in all human
probability gain seat in the Senate
from the Fifth District. where their
nominee, DIR. y. G. Crockett, OF wythe
has so far no Republican opposition,
and where II looks as thougli there
viii be none. The fight in the iirst
District is likely TO be close. bu, III
Is believed that Democrat viii tri-
umph
IT is worthy of note that only one
OF the six Republicans in the present
Senate has been renominated-Sena-
tor Lincoln. The Republicans of all
tho other districts have put up new
men. John II catron has been named
To succeed Senator Noel: Edmund
PaTr to succeed Senator Parsons. and
j. Powell Royal to succeed Senator
Chase.
Fight In valley.
While the Democrats expect To cap
ture two seats in the Senate. and
probably three in the House in the
southwest from the Republicans they
face the possibility OF losing one orr
more in the Valley of Virginia AS a |
Ninth District have nowhere more
severe contest on hand than is being
waged in the three counties of Rock
fnGham. Shenandoah and Augusta. Ini
the two former the Republicans are
contestns practically everything in
Guiding all county positions. Shenan-
doah has usually elected Republican
TO the House of Delegates in recent
years. while Rockingham is often very
close between the parties. The fierc-
est sort OF lighting Is In progress
there. with Senator George b. Keezen
the Democratic nominee for county
treasurer. the centre OF the disturb
ance.
Tho opposition to the Democrats in
Augusta comes from prohibition
sources. Disappointment over the de-
feat OF the "drys" In stanton caused
an independent movement headed byi
well known Antisaloon League Lead
ers, which resulted In nominations fori
the Senate and House to oppose Damo-
cratic nominees. The Republicans are
expected TO vote for the independents
In order to embarrass the Democrats
There are other scattering indepen-
dents through the state. j. NJ Barker
Jr, is opposing George l.. Richardson
for the House from Henry county, al