The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-04-14
CANDIDATE MYERS
GIVES PLATFORM.
Favors Abolition of Fee System,
Local Option, Tax Reform,
Treasury Reserve.
PRIMARY QUESTION ARISES
Some City Committee Candidates
Did Not File Names With
Court Clerk.
PRIMARY QUESTION ARISES

First of the Richmond candidates for
the Legislature to announce his plat
form. Captain William NJ. Myers Is out
in detailed statement He favors
local option. tax reform, abolition of
the fee system. working convict labor
on the roads. a reserve in the State
treasury and liberal pension appropri-
ations.
Captain Myers has been widely
known in political. military and bust
hess circles in Richmond for years.
Up to Saturday morning nc had not
thought of becoming q candidate for
the House of Delegates. but filed his
rame for the City Democratic Com
mfttee. Such pressure was brought to
bear on him to run that at last he con-
sented. his friends first obtaining the
consent OIL the directors of the concern
with which he is associated.
Born in Richmond. he was educated
largely IN GreeneSville County His
father, Captain w M. Myers was com
mander Of the Roane Artillery, OF North
Carolina, In the War Between the
States, and n business man here after
wards. The son began to learn the
machinists trade at the Richmond Lo-
connective Works. but later left that
employment to go with the jewelry
irm OF c. Lumsden & Son. OF which
ne Is now secretary-treasurer and
stakeholder He has been with the
firm for twenty years. In 1880 he
Joined the Richmond Howitzers, and has
been member twenty-three years
having served as captain of the bat
terry Tor the past twelve years
Gives HIS Platform.
Here is his platform:
ON the liquor question 7 fovor Local
option, believing this. with the best re-
strictive laws, to be the best method
Of dealing with the problem.
l think the fee system of payment
Tor public officers should be abolished
root and branch, and salaries substi-
tuted
We should never make another con-
tract for convict labor. and there should
be law to prevent It's possibility. 1t
has been demonstrated that road worl,
is best for the convict and for the
State.
Il favor tax reform, and hope the
time VIII soon come when each county
and city will pay its own criminal
charges. This would deal the fee sys-
tenn deadly blow and lay the founda-
ton. in less than two years, for a Gu,
or at least 10 cents on the 500 in the
State tax rate.
Il believe the State should have n
reserve fund OF at least 100000 and
ma We shouiu stop spending the sur
plus as soon as it appears.
Il favor liberal approximations for
the Confederate soldiers, with such an
arrangement as will give the most
speedy real relief"
The other candidates will be asked
20 define their stand on public oues-
tons These will be stated to :, great
extent in meetings OF political clubs
within the next sixty days, at which
the men who seek to represent the
people will be asked to speak
Question About Committee
Some discussion has arisen in re-
gard TO the fact that only part OF the
candidates for the City Democratic
Committee filed their. names with the
clerk of the Hastings Court II is the
understanding of Chairman Miles NJ.
Martin that the men running for thesa
positions need only give notice to the
committee. Major Martin himself with
DR.. Charles V. Darlington and other
members, did not see the court clerk.
ihis brings up new argument i'm
connection with the Byrd Feathcrston
primary law. That act says that the
general laws relating to holding OF
elections. counting ballots and other
matters shall apply to primaries but
does not say the same thing as To
printing. Further. II requires that the
primary ballots are to "be printed and
delivered to the judges of election by
the city or county, committees"
On the other hand. it is specified that
the ballots shall be official" To make
an official ballot, II is necessary that
the seal of tho Electoral Board be ar
fixed and this seal is in the custody of
the secretary of the board, nobody else
having right to use IT, If the com
m!ttee can print the ballots. 1t will put
all the names on 1t; If the Electoral
Board prints them, it is a question
whether or not it can add the names
Of men not filed with the clerk of the
court
However. since all names were put in
in good faith. it Is to be supposed some
way VIII be found to give everybody
the same chance, and 1t is doubtful
If any one Will be found to raise q
question.
n0VHI Ann BIIIkH