Evening star., 1914-05-17
STUART MAY TRY
FOR SENATORSH|P
Believed That He Would Like
to Succeed to Claude A.
SWanson's Seat.
VIRGINIA LIQUOR FORCES
OPEN STATE CAMPAIGN
Sergt. Greer of Marion Acquitted for
Shooting ]. L. Thornton-Wife
Murderer to Die Friday.
Special Correspondence of The star.


RICHMOND, Va. May l6-Thoush
there has been no announcement of the
candidacy of Gov. Stuart for the United
States Senate TO succeed Senator Claude
A Swanson in the election in this
state next year. the belief is general
that the governor will try conclusions
with the Pittsylvana man What the
result viii be no one can tell. Senator
swanson has been uniformly strong be-
fore the people whenever they have had
a chance to vote for him direct He was
defeated for governor by Representative
Montague. but that was under the old
convention plan for making a nomina-
ton. When in the primary he made it
a runaway as between himself and Gov.
Mann and Col. Joseph E. Willard.
Later, when he aspired to the United
states Senate to succeed Senator
Daniel. he made a showing that surpris-
ed his friends.
There is no secret that he will offer
again. and he and his friends are watch
ing the trend Of events with the keenest
interest. A campaign between Stuart
and Swanson would make things inter
esting in Virginia politics, and would
furnish all the frills for campaign that
would attract attention
Senator Swanson is we'll known and
very popular. So is Gov. Stuart. The
latter has the unique distinction of win
ming the governorship without an ef
fort He announced his candidacy and
then all the other ambitious men got
fright and not one of them dared to
enter the race.
Thursday night the liquor forces of the
state opened their campaign in this city.
when Judge George L. Christian presided
and there were speeches by Royal E.
Cabell former commissioner of internal
revenue under President Taft: DR.. Stuart
Mcclure one Of the best known physi-
clans of the city, and Joseph c. Taylor,
a leading member of the Richmond bar.
There were one hundred well known
business men on the stage as vice presi-
dents. The Academy of Music was
packed with persons who wished to hear
the speeches and who are opposed to the
proposition TO make Virginia dry. The
speeches were along the usual lines. were
devoted to a careful discussion of the
question and We're free from anything
that could possibly SAVIOR of the personal
or was in the least offensive. 1t was a
meeting 10 discuss the matter calmly. and
the liquor men held aloof. not being
prominent in any of the arrangements or
In any of the details. They are not tax
ing any part in the campaign which the
business men are making in the matter,
and it is not believed that they will
Ministers to Campaign.
From what can be learned at this time,
It is understood that many of the minis
ters of the state are to engage in the
prohibition fight this summer. When the
colleges shall close for the term the idea
is to have many OF the ministerial stu
dents engaged to fill the pulpits and to
give the pastors leave of absence in or
DER that they may devote their time to
the campaign against the liquor evil 1t
IS fact that the members Of the Meth
odist Church are intensely active in the
elimination of the liquor evil, and the
cause of temperance is being advocated
ffom the pulpits every day. The prohibi-
ton forces have a daily paper in this city.
the Virginian, which is preaching prohibi-
ton daily.
lists Is to arrange for a mass meeting and
picnic in every precinct in the state for
July T. at which time prohibition will be
preached by speakers in every part of
Rev. j. D. McAnister, who is orraniz-
ing the ''drys" In the fifth sixth, ninth
and tenth districts says that the coun-
ties are being organized at the rate OF
four to six each week. and that no at
tention is being given to political affilia-
tons in conducting the fight.
War on short-Weight Icemen.
Richmond is making war on the ice
men. There Is an ordinance which re-
quires every. dealer sending out wagons
to weigh the ice which is delivered to
customers daily The inspectors have
begun to see that the ordinance is en-
forced, and three men have been caught
and fined So and costs each for not hav-
ing scales on their wagons. The in
spectors will also see that the scales are
kept correct in every way. and when
the offenders at once. There has been
complaint for years ON this score-that
the dealers have been giving short
weight and when complaint has been
made the dealers have merely laughed
IN the faces OF the consumers.
IN this city there is a deal whereby one
dealer will not invade the territory OF
another SO that the protesting did no
good whatever. Then the council agreed
the ordinance which will correct the
complaints.
Sergt. W. E. Greer Of Marion severa
DAYS ago had trouble with man named
J. l.. Thornton. Thornton was a merchant
and when the officer vent to collect
license taxes for the town Thornton be.
came abusive and ordered the officer from
the store. Greer told Thornton that he wa:
an officer. that il was his duty to call OF
him for tire money due, and that he mus
have il. Thornton has the reputation Of
being a troublesome man and Of being
able TO make good any threat. Greer re
fused 10 leave. and when Thornton un
dertools 70 eject him. and made a move
te draw . weapon. Greer fired tirst