The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-08-21
SOUTHS|DE DEMOCRATIC
CLUB PUZZLES ITSELF
Lis 1t Political Organization? A
Question to Be De-
terInineCi.
COMMITTEE TO INVESTIGATE
Word Democratic May BE Eliminate
ed From Name of Ciub-Members
Would Make 1t Really n Civic
Body.

Is the South Richmond Democratic
Club a political organization, or is 1t
not? What's in a name? These two
questions caused many expressions of
personal opinion at the meeting of the
South Richmond Club held in Fra
ternal Hall last night. Neither query
was solved. but committee of three
members, selected by the club, win
answer them before the next meet
ing.
The argument started last night
when Chairman Moore. of the COM
mittee on the changing of the name
of the club, made his report and the
pleasure OF the club was asked for by
President c. C., Jones. Mr. Moore re-
ported that the committee had decided
to ask the business men of South
Richmond. not yet members OF the
club. their views on the change, to see
IL they would join the club. should
the word Democratic" be removed
Mr.. Moore suggested that the commit
tee be continued until the men could
be seen. This was agreed upon later.
In the meantime, though, several
members started an argument One
wanted to know whether the club was
political or not. President Jones in
formed Mr.. Davidson, the inquirer,
ed by the club in its history and that
was for United States Marshal Saund-
ers and that the club did this for
national spirit. Mr.. Davidson was OF
the opinion that should politics be
taken out OF the club there would be
no club. Then several members in
formed Mr.. Davidson that there was
no politics In the club
Gives Club Influence.
E. e. Smith, principal of the Man.
chester schools, said that he thought
the political influence gained by the
organization by the word Dem.
ocratic" in its title had much force in
accomplishing the things wished for
by the citizens of the Southside. He
said. however. that this political color
ing might keep many men from join
ing who did not wish to become men,
bers of a political organization. He
thought that many people would
rather join a civic association.
Chairman Anderson. of the clubs
transportation committee. wanted to
and out what harm was to be expert
enced by the changing of the clubs
name. Nothing in the nature OF a
reasonable answer. however, was
Forthcoming, and President Todd. of
Woodland Heights, was called on. Mr..
Todd Is an executive of the Woodland
Heights Association. He, too. could
give no suitable solution for the
problem facing the club.
The heated argument. which almost
divided the club. ended shortly after
Member Burkett spoke. and the de-
cision was reached.
Mr.. Burkett read a petition from
business men on Hull Street, from
Tenth to Fourteenth Streets asking
the club and the Police Board to as
sist In the blocking of the removal OF
the police box at the corner OF
Twelfth and Hull Streets. Augustine
Royall and Commissioner Bradley,
who represent the Southside on the
Police Board, favored. a motion made
to transfer the box to Seventh and
Perry Streets. The club voted to help
the business men, claiming that the
of the patrolmen and the
police box was necessary In tl:A busi-
ness section of the Southside.
w. ID. Miller A. L. Bedford,
Thomas Talbot. w. NJ. Cooper, W. A.
Copper, DR.. ID. S. Wilson and Maury
Perdue were new members of the club
elected last night.
Secretary Shifflett was again on the
job. He Is convalescing after recent
Illness. during which he was a patient
In st. Luke's Hospital.
Chairman Anderson. of the trans
portation committee Of the club. was
instructed TO carry out several de-
mands on the street railway company
in regard to more comfort for the pas
sengers of street cars The subject OF
Mayo Bridge approach was gone into