The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-11-11
They and Their Friends Form
Part of Qualified Voters
Speakers Tell Committee Of
Young Men.
Begin Work of Increasing Num-
Der of Registered Voters on
Wednesday Nightly ans for
Great Work Completely
Worked Out.

looking to increasing the number OF
voters in Richmond were completed
at the get-together meeting OF the
Young mems registration committee.
held at the Masonic temple last even
Ing, and. following the mapping out
Of the work which each team and
each individual Is to do. 1t was de-
cided to begin actual work Wednes-
day night.
At that time the men on the teams
win start their house tn house can
vass to determine the actual number
Of voters in the city and to interest
those who, for various reasons, have
neglected 10 qualify. Emphasis Is laid
by the committee on the fact that
the men working for the committee
have automatically declared their en-
tire freedom from partisan politics.
They have agreed that their efforts
shall not be directed to the promotion
Of any person. party or policy.
Purpose OF the Work.
Theirs is move TO increase the
number Of persons taking an actual
interest in the municipal affairs by
arousug the citizens 10 a realization
Of their responsibilities In this regard.
Il was further agreed that all infor-
nation given the canvassers would
be regarded as strictly confidential by
the young mems registration commit
tee. and that none of IL would be
gwen to ether parties on any pretext.
At the banquet. which preceded the
business session of the committee, the
speakers stressed the importance of
4atereSt-ln- municipal Affairs
aud the great value 20 be had In the
citizens being prepared TO vote on
questions Of much Importance 10 the
city and consequently To themselves,
even though the occasion for their
votes might rot be evident at the
time The small nnmper Of qualified
voters In Richmond and the South IN
general ma compared with the cities
cf equal size In tho North was de-
nlor@d. and the young men who are
rrrarded az being the hopes rot
i,e.fpF regime We're urged 20 prepare
a,si Ia inst.n irto the minds OF y1e>c
ON they visl: the necessity OF be-
-r~ ready for the important cleo
t'nns which are TO be held within the
rrxt year,
nr. :. c. Mitchell Congressman A.
] Montague and w T Dabney were
IN principal speakers.
These elections are probably the
ty,rsf .rnortant with which Rich
.--NpderS have had to face in some
;,ne.
Elections Important.
Mary 81 the most important officers
- fffT cry govern ffEen( are 3ft fN FAf'ts~
= r~d uniees there Is an increased
,.ntc through the agency of the young
-.-~n's REGISTRATION committee the cleo
t'oY" SAID Manager Dahney. Of the
rha--,her Of commerce. will be in the
sands 81 an electorate. composed
chiefly Of city employees, or those IN
Fue~cea directly hv such persons.
While both Mr. Mitchell and Hon
nrahle A. ]. Montague. who preceded
'stYn on the program. gave interest
trg talks Il remained for w, T, Dab
aes business manager Of the cham
no. If commerce, 10 spring the big
rsnsation. from q local standpoint, of
.n@ meeting.
,.trhe cstv Of Richmond has In its
employ about 400 men, all of them
t,,fr''7 ed voters whose votes and per
sonaI influence practically control the
entire vote Of the city. This Is he
-ause of the small number Of voters
outside of this particular set. Your
work should place the control of the
,iecticn beyond such an electorate and
-rhcn this occurs. then Richmond Will
30 nearly ideal as possible.
"Rut there Ia an added feature 20
49, fact which has impressed me-
~~~.ousiv and witch is remarkable.
~~s,~ water works have probably been
=, operation for ffty wears and the
g-as works for about forty, and vet
rvu,ber Of 1,4oo employees there has
,ot been more than fifty men dis
charged for inefficiency, IT they have
din not know Of II II Is quite re-
-earkahle. gentlemen quite rcnaarka-
HE: ard n this is trrN Richmond has
the rreatest city on the fact or I'll"
fslahe. II proves that IN the matter Of
.ates there is a rcc.r-ncal understand
ting and this condition will exist unth
fSe citizens avalon TO an under
standing Of 'he'r duty.
The Important Dates
'erhere are several dates important
~ the voter and the prospective voter
which were IMPRESSED upon all pres
ont at the meeting, nv G. r. Wal
>ord These we-~; November 3eth.
tho last Hav IN which roll taxes NAV
he paid without the delinquent charre
being mase: December 4ths the last
day on which poll take. may he paid
that the voter NAV nralifv for tho
spring elections end May 2oth tho
last dav upon which the voter may
register.
The frnrortarc~ cf the movement
to lncrease the pubic Interest In num-
,rtpal affairs - receIv'nw thc hca ~tiest
support according to reports maze
at the meeting last nieht, ard n Is
axnected that the tota, number ~,
oua1,fied vot--s In Richmond VIII he
raised by tho present ca~,ratgn tc the
naighbo~hcod Of ~ 900. Trio campo en
which the committee carried through
last year increased the number to
about o 600 ara with the concerted
efvorta Of the 400" combined with
others who have volunteered II rs
deemed almost uerrarntv that an
equal number will be induced to
qualify during the present campaign,
1t ia estimated that there are now
at least 21,6s7 eligibles In Richmond
tat N..t. hate
national and civic patriotism, and de-