Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-07-31
GOVERNOR ACES
SERIOUS PROBLEM
Conditions at Hopewell,
Prince George County
Are Grave
FEW VOTERS IN PLACE
State May Be Compelled to Assume
Policing of Mushroom City For
One or More Years.

Richmond, July 31-When the
State authorities take charge OF the
situation at Hopewell, Prince George
County, course which now appears
inevitable if the good name OF Vlr-
ginia for suppressing lawlcssness is
to be Observation-Disclosures Stuart
will be confronted with the prospect
of seeing that the mushroom city is
properly policed for a year or more
There is little or no likelihood that
one raid, even of the most elaborate
proportions, will be Of permanent
benefit, for the local authorities, nav
ing once failed to demonstrate their
ability to cope with conditions, Will
hardly be in a position to keep the
town "clean".
It is not only the gambling, the
lionor-selling and fragrant 1iuanting
of immoralty of every phase which
makes the situation at Hopewell pre-
cartons but unbiased callers at the
Governors Office are said to nave
sought to impress upon him the dan
ger of riots among the thousands OIL
foreigners there, once they are a
reused by even the most trivial event.
Having been allowed to have tnelr
own way, this element, together with
tn. gunmen and other undesirabies
from the underworlds of the larger
cities of the country, are capable Oh
producing a climax which "oulo
shake the entire State.
Under present conditions there
would be no way to handle the sltua-
t;on without calling out the entire
State militia. However, .if the undes:-;
irables are driven out and those VINO
are at Hopewell for the purpose OF
enpaging,in legitimate occupation lett
to themselves, it is pointed tnat
serious danger would be eliminated
Once the screen" is drawn rom
Hopewellsby the official: action; :? o.: OF *the
State authorities in taking charge OF
the situation there will be many
sensational developments. Stores OF
bribery, graft and almost every other
offense against the, criminal or mo-
raj code are pouring in upon Cover
nor Stuart and Attorney-Genera'
John Garland Pollard, but both are
maintaining a discreet sil9lce as TO
details. Investigation of charges IN.
volving the, professional conduct OF
LAWYERS, who have had cases at Hope
we'll. have also been hinteds;at oy peo'
NE who Want something done"
From the attitude Of the State Of
6sials it appears that there will be
no tip given any one at hopewel
yiben the arms o. the, law, as: interpre'
ted by Governor olua't' '"oF
on the city. One swift blow may
have the effect of putting the real
of the law into the hearts OF the
various lawless elements there an'
- +bo situation somewhat easier
to handle in the future.
It is known that the Governor na'
been consulted about the advlsiblllt!
Of calling an extraordinary session O
Tho General Assembly 20 grant mu
nicinal charter to Hopewell. Such !
plan is not regarded as feasible un
der any circumstances. There are no ne
sufficient number of people In tn
proposed corporate limits VINO nav
heen in Prince George County ion'
enough to qualify as? voters for
charter to be issued. In addition tn
government of the town wouio D
placed in the hands of a few mef
even if a sufficient number OF eiec
tors, should be able to qualify, and tn
situation there would be more ina
likely to remain at it is now, with tn
state having less ground to inter
fere. .,&
In view of the widespread report
of the lawless conditions existing 8
Hopewell, R. c. L. Moncure, colle'
tor of internal revenue for the Eas
ern District of Virginia, said yestel
day that he thought it well to stat
that the department has collecte