Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-06-30
LEAN ON THORPE
Hope of Roosevelt Party in
Former Congressman.
CONDITIONS IN VIRGINIA
Progressive Exponent Would Olsen
thrall the South.
AUDITOR AFTER ASSESSORS
Charged That Property Is Not Prop
erly Assesed-State officials
All Absent.
.UDITOR AFTER ASSESSORS

| Special Dispatch to The Star
| RICHMOND. Va, June 2-Col. Robert
| I. Thorp of Norfolk, former member OF
| Congress from the fourth Virginia dis
| trict. is one Of the men on whom Col.
| Roosevelt and his party will lean In the
coming campaign. Col. Thorp Is law
yer, a man Of ability. and he declares
that he is willing and anxious to enlist in
the cause to "disenthralI the south from
the effects Of q name" He 1ntimates
that the word Republican" has initiated
| against the success of the progressive
party. and believes that the time has
come to make a change. Other than Col.
Thorp. however, there are no recruits
known. though 1t Is believed that there
| are some of course, who are willing to
| back Col. Roosevelt in his aspirations to
| redeem the grand old party. But the
| principal trouble In this desire to cooper
ate with Col. Roosevelt is found In the
| fact that the helpers are men who have
| no vote in this state.
Under the laws OF Virginia voters are
required to pay their poll taxes at least
six months prior to the date on which
a general election is held If they desire
to cast a vote in that election. This has
not been done by the vast majority Of
| those who are willing to come to the aid
of the former President, but 1t Is true
that many of those of the republican faith
who have paid taxes are disposed to
vote for him. That is the element bet
ter known as the "outs." having no
political Jobs.
Promises Developments.
Auditor C. Lee Moore is preparing to
shock some of the commissioners of the
revenue in some Of the counties because
of the manner in which they are doing
their work. Under the laws of the state
these officers are to be elected by the peo-
pie in the counties, and they can succeed
themselves. Their elections will come at
an early date. and it is easy to see that
some Of them are preparing to stand for
reelection. As a matter OF TACT, 1t is
said, these officers In some localities are
actually assessing property at lower
figure this year than 1t was year ago or
for several years past This applies to
personal property, OF course. and In some
sections where the values are known to
be increasing at q rapid rate personal ef-
fects are worth less and there are fewer
securities than were reported for as
sessment prior to this time. Mr.. Moore
is getting his facts together and will lay
them before the officers OF the county for
presentation to grand juries and to courts.
State Without Officials.
Since Tuesday last the state Of Virginia
has been denuded Of state officials of
high standines-the top notchers. the dig
nitaries. Gov. Mann, Lieut.. Gov. Ely
son, Senator Echols. president pro tenn of
the senate; Speaker Byrd Of the house of
delegates, Secretary of State James, In
surance Commissioner Button and many
others have been away from Virginia and
attending the Baltimore convention. Had
there been occasion for quick executive
action the result would have been attend
ed with possible delay. There was not
in the state an officer to discharge the
duties of the governor, the secretary of
state was away, and there is no telling
what might have happened In case an
emergency had arisen. But the governor
kept in constant touch with his office and
there would have been less than two
hours delay in getting him to Virginia
soil had there been occasion.
With the advent Of Thomas Fortune
Ryan of Nelson county into the political
circle, the state Of Virginia is attracting
attention which the voters in this c;ss
deprecate. Mr.. Ryan was not at the
Norfolk convention, but his son was
there. 1t Is declared the name of Thomas
F. Ryan was not once mentioned, and
his son was introduced and named as
one Of the delegates from the tenth dis
trict. The fact that Thomas F. Ryan
was given the place and was on hand
to cast his vote does not meet with the
approval Of the people at large, and there
are those who commend Bryan for his
attack, but at the same time deplore that
such thing should have come from out
side Of the state.