Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-16
MAJORITY OF WHITE
MEN D|SQUAL|F led
Astounding Situation as to Con-
troll Of Elections in Richmond
Is Presented.
NEW ASSOCIATION FORMED
Whirlwind Campaign Launched
to Induce Men to Pay
Poll Taxes.
NEW ASSOCIATION FORMED

The Registration Association OF the
! City OF Richmond was organized last
night. Practically every citizen OF
large business interests and the leading
men of the different professions have
already been enrolled in the member
ship Of this notable civic body. or will
| be before 4 week has elapsed
Simultaneous with the organization
of the new association OF citizens. a
whirlwind campaign was inaugurate ted,
by which 1t is expected TO increase the
qualified vote of Richmond before May
| ! by at least 5000 votes. The pro-
! noters and organizers OF the Registra-
! tion Association of the City OF Rich
| mond are men Identified with almost
every movement of recent years for
the advancement of the welfare OF this
| city. The meeting was held In the
assembly hall OF the Virginia Me-
chanics' Institute.
AIMS AND OBJECTS OF
NEW ORGANIZATION
The aims and objects Of the organiza-
tion are set forth in the following reso-
lution. which was adopted by a unani-
nous vote amid an inspiring demonstra-
tion OF the carnestness and enthusiasm
that animated the meeting:
Whereas, a large number of the
citizens of Richmond fail in their duties
as citizens in that they have not quail
fed themselves to vote. and do not take
part in the government of our city,
therefore
BE 1t resolved. That this organiza-
| ton shall be made permanent. and shall
be known az the Registration Associa-
tion OF the City of Richmond:
That II shall have for it's purpose
| solely the business of inducing the cit
liens of Richmond to register and
qualify themselves to vote: tina: 1t shall
not be interested an association in
furthering the ends OF any political
| party, advancing the interests OF any
| candidate for office or influencing the
affairs OF our municipality beyond
urging each citizen to discharge his
duty to the community by qualifying
himself to vote and by voting In every
election"
T. VI. CARRINGTON IS
MADE PRESIDENT
Thomas NJ. Darlington, former presi-
dent of the Chamber of Commerce and
! president OF the Independent Tobacco
Dealers Association. presided. He
called the body to order. and was later
elected president OF the association
Participating in the launching OF the
movement were the following, who
were enrolled in the organization i'm
mediately after the opening OF the
meeting: John c. Easlcy, DR. Douglas
5. Freeman, II. S. King. T.. +. McCon-
nell. John NJ. Miller, Jr., Robert L.
Winston, Robert l.. Powers, r Peyton
Giles. +. B Sydnor, William II. White
| James y. Moncure, y. 0. Alley, c. +.
Saucr. George W. Watt. F. w. Duke
w. y. Williams. II. w Hall. John
, Stewart Bryan. James II. Drake, Huns
don Cary. Joseph {. Taylor A. B. Swink,
a. $. Hurt Charles G.. Taylor, Jr., Ed
ward G. Mayo, B. Gallagher. James w.
Stewart. II. w. Ellerson, Charles ]
Anderson. Hugh Antrim. s. T Beve-
ridge. G. T. Norman, Henry II. Phillips.
James Il. Gordon. George w Stevens,
John G. Corley, l.. II. Courtney, Cole
man Wortham. Archer Jones. Granville
g. Valentine, T. w. Evans j. Norman
Dart, w. Meade Addison. o. f Wcisl-
ger, DR.. George Ben Johnston. Charles
b. Cooke, William T. Reed. Julius Levitt,
w. L. T. Rogerson. j. w. Dodd A. NJ
Cannon. Colonel Charles E. Hasbrook,
Joseph Sorg, Oliver J. Sands J. II. H;n.
]. b. Leftwich, +. Jones, l. ]. Marcuse
and Augustine Royall
LESS THAN HALF THE WHITE
MEN OF RICHMOND VOTE
Chairman Darlington. after calling
the meeting to order, made n brief
address, in which he told OF the origin
OF the movement. y few business mon.
he said, had discussed the alarming
conditions due to the apathy of citizens
who persistently neglect the duty OF
interesting themselves in the public
affairs of the municipality. Ii was de-
termined 10 ascertain the sentiment of
the business men Of Richmond on the
question OF taking some remedial
measure. y list Of fifteen or twenty
names was prepared, and each of the
men when approached entered enthusi-
astically into the plan suggested The
result was the call sent out for this
gathering Of men representing the
principal business interests of the city
Chairman Darlington said that in the
last election less than $500 votes were
polled in Richmond, although statis
| ties in hand showed that the eligible
vote was approximately 10000. or
those who voted. he said the men hold
ing office. together with employees on
TIE CITY pay Tolls ana their friends
constituted n majority.
SITUATION PUTS CITY
OFFICERS IN CONTROL
The situation thus presented nuts
city officers in the control of an oroan
lied official vote. 1t is unsafe. Mr.. Car
rington argued. 10 depend too much on
the elective officers Of the city govern
ment. because they are human and
prone to protect themselves and their
friends. The business affairs OF tho
city. he said, should be conducted lust
az the business of a great corporation
is conducted The same business prin.
cfplcs should apply.
He exhorted the heads OF all business
concerns to see that tho employees of
their respective oS.erns are impressed
with the Importance OF qualifying for
the ballot before May l, II they are not
already qualified to vote this year.
The exhortation was greeted with an
n mia