Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-23
ALL MEN MUST REGISTER
WHETHER EXEMPT OR NOT
EVEN Cripplcs Who, Obviously, Can
not Join Army Must BE
Enrolled.
COURTS HAVE no DISCRETION
FAILURE To Put Name on Roll. If Re.
tween Fl and 81 Years Old, Will
Mean Jail Sentence for ANY Man.
White or COlorcd.

From every pulpit in Vir-ini, :,
Is planned TO have war rc-istra,io,
brought TO tho attention of The con-
SrcTations at each service until Iuro
.. when tho first enrolment under tho
seIectivc draft system will take place
This Is just one of the many publicity
pianH which Will be inauguratcd to im-
press the necessity of registration upon
every man Of the prescribed age.
FROM every section of tho state mem.
perS OF the boards Of registration ap-
pointed by Governor Henry G. Stuart
arc telcgraphing their acceptance OF
the duty Imposed upon them. Numbers
OF officials have reported here in person
I" discuss the plan Of registration and
I" learn the details Of how effectively
to put the machinery Of enrolment i'm
operation.
That the white people are fairly well
acquainted with the necessity of regis
trati"n. many officials report but there
Is unanimity Of opinion that tho
colorcd men OF the state do not realize
that they owe the same duty TO their
country. This state of mind has been
fostcred. IL is said. by erroneous rcports
that Uncle Sam would not raise any
T..
ii would not be necessary to enroll
COURTS CANNOT EXCUsE
ANY ONE FROM REGIsTRATION
The necessity for enrolment cannot
be impressed too firmly on every man
OF the prescribed age" Major Clinton
L. Wright. in charge of the enrolment
details. said yesterday. I'VE arc going
TO appeal to every minister. through
the press. to take every occasion to
let the members of their congregation
know that the burden of registration
rests upon the individual, and that
every man who fails to do his duty will
be subject to Jail sentence. The
courts have no discretion in the matter
The judge must impose Jail sentence
i'm every ease of wllful failure to
register. With the facilities for pub
licity at hand. there will be no excuse
on the ground of ignorance in this
State at least
ReGistrati ton officials report that some
men who have apparent exemptions.
particularly cripples, have the idea
that they need not register AS a mat
ter of fact. man unable to walk or
see is under just as much an obligation
as the best athlete. Public officials
are no more exempt than the poorest
negro in Virginia. Even felons in the
penitentiary must be registered. The
fact that man may not be selected
for the army is no reason for his not
enrolling.
The government has prepared list
OF answers to all questions on the reg
istration blank. These lists will be
posted at each precinct registration
point. If read carefully. no man would
make mistake. Registration officials
will also be required carefully to study
the questions and answers. In order TO
guide those who are unable to under
stand.
SHERIFF. SYDNOR
POSTS go NOTICES
Sheriff Webb w Sydnor. of Henrico
County. has already posted $50 notices
Of the registration throughout the
county. The cards are tackled up in
conspicuous places wherever likely to
be seen. Particular attention was paid
TO those districts in which negroes live
or are employed.
Sheriff Sydnor has nearly completed
the task of appointing registrars for
each voting precinct in Henrico County
but expects to have the work done to-
day. He has notified all appointees
to assemble at the Henrico County
Courthouse at 10 o'clock on June l,
when full information I'm regard to the
work Of registration VIII be given and
all blanks and forms explained
This is the method being employed
in every county In Virginia, according
to information reaching the officials
here. There is a fine spirit OF CO.
operation to be found from every sec
tion. the only fear expressed being in
regard to the failure OF men to register
through ignorance. but care will be
taken from this end to avoid such
possibility.
The registrars will be furnished with
large. placard which explains every
Continued on Second PaEe.1