Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-08

VIII De one lnaI VIII prove OF uHuSudl
interest there Is not the least doubt pro-
vided that Messrs. Glass and Jones agree
to enter the contest. Mr.. Glass is versed
in politics, speaker Of strength, has
many admirers and can be depended on
to force the fighting from the drop of
the flag. Mr.. Jones is not novice in
politics, and on the stump he has al
ways been regarded as formidable. Mr..
Jones has never been supporter of the
regime now in control in Virginia, while
Mr.. Glass has given cordial support to
the nominees of the party.
Must Reckon With Drys.
The Anti-Saloon League will get into
the campaign next time and will quiz
the candidates for all Offices as to their
views on the temperance question. That
is the purpose of the league. The cam
didates who stand for the ideals of the
league will get the support Of that or
ganization, and the records Of the men,
be a factor. The last general assembly
defeated the statewide prohibition move
by refusing to submit the matter to the
people. The Anti-Saloon League kept tab
on the vote cast. and there will be
reckoning at the polls. The legislators
declared that the question of statewide
prohibition had not been passed on and
had not been a subject Of consideration
in the campaign, and they refused to
accept the dictum of the Anti-Saloon
League on the proposition.
In this connection. at the meeting of
the Hotel Mems Association here this
week, there were some speeches on the
subject Of prohibition which pleased a
great many of the members. A. T. Moore
of Stanton said that in that city prohi-
bition, or local option. had been a dead
failure: that four times as much whisky
L. lr..
were sending orders for the stuff and
were seen drinking liquor when they
could not get 1t in the saloons. Mr..
Moore declared that the city was dis
gusted with the plan and was preparing
to overthrow the dry element at the first
opportunity. He also declared that If
the United States Supreme Court was as
fearless as 1t should be the statute books
would not contain local option or prohi-
bition legislation, as it was unconstitu-
tional
The Anti-Saloon League meets in New
port News at an early date, and at that
time 1t is expected that steps will be
taken looking to forcing a statewide
fight. One reason for this is the ship
ments Of liquor from wet sections into
dry territory.
What to Do With Convicts.
The fact that Charles Morganfield, the
man released from the penitentiary last
Monday after serving fifteen years for
the famous Aqua creek train robbery
nounced intention Of taking the lecture
platform to tell of the inside workings
of that institution, has attracted atten-
ton to the manner of employing the in
mates of the prison. The state has
contract for working convicts on shoes
with a Boston concern, and the men are
employed at AZ cents day. There is
growing opposition to this the chief rea-
son being that the convicts are allowed
to compete with honest labor. giving an
undue advantage to the contractor and
putting a premium on the work of con-
victs There is a sentiment that the men
should be placed on the highways OF the
state for the benefit of all the people
1t is contended that to do this would be
to develop the entire state and attract
thousands Of persons to Virginia and
enable the state to take front rank
among the agricultural states, adding
millions to taxable values, building up
the waste places and in every way make
rural life pleasant. The contract expires
at an early date, and the forces are be-
ing mustered to prevent a renewal.
Morganneld's crime was one Of the
boldest and most desperate in the history
of the state. With q man named Searcy
he held up a Richmond. Fredericksburg
gers. then escaped on the locomotive.
starting the engine full steam ahead and
jumping of in lonely place. That the
engine did not kill several hundred per-
sons going south that night was due to
the presence of mind of telegraph oper-
ator, who called another office and had
the wild engine ditched before 1t crashed
into thte flying train. Morganfield made
an unruly prisoner and was several times
logged for refusal to work. threatening to
insolence to the officers.
Tax Reform Hearings.
DIR. Douglass 8. Freeman, secretary OF
the Virginia tax commission, has started
out on a series OF hearings on the mat
ter Of reforms in taxation. He was des-
ignated by the governor to visit some
twenty five places in the state and to af
ford an opportunity for the people of all
sections to present their views on the
subjects Of ascertaining values. equaliz-
ing taxes, to compel all classes to con-
tribute a fair share to the burdens of
government.
All persons who desire to be heard will
have chance. DR.. Freeman was this
week In Suffolk. Norfolk and Portsmouth.
He will visit Danville. Martinsvtlle. Roa-
noke. Bristol. Staunton. Charlottesville,
Culpeper, Alexandria, Winchester, Har-
risonburg and Fredericksburg before he
completes the itinerary.
Outlook for Base Ball. :
The base ball magnates are expected
to meet here the coming week and to
determine what will be the circuit for
this year-whether there will be six or
eight clubs. The old league was for
Ave years composed Of six clubs. There
was only one change in all that time
and being replaced by Petersburg. Nor
folk is trying to kick out of the traces.
and wants to organize another league
Later that city asked that Portsmouth
and NeWnorf News be admitted. making