The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1918-03-25
Campaign Nearing Clos Is
Generally Quiet Except in
Two Wards
CONTESTS IN CLAY
AND JEFFERSON ADD
COLOR TO CANVASS
Paul and Pollock in West
En- d: Cross. Melton and
letter in East End Are Active.
Airport independent

The last veek of the eouncilrnAntc
canvass will prove of Intense interest
90 the candidates. SO far as scheduled
xAars Will be but one mass meeting,
but there will be tnnumebrable neigh
borhood meetings, and many family
watherinEs" ia the various wards.
No public meetings will be held in
Lee ward. Most of the candidates
have expressed themselves as opposed
10 such meetings. and without the
presence of candidates there would
be little excitement at such gatherings
While many OF tbs Lee ward candt-
dates are not partial 20 public 1852 II
sngs. some of them have been doing
much gum shoe" work and private
meetings have been held Throughout
the ward. SO that a1l candidates viii
come into the open battle next Tues
day prepared to count n@Ssx. and
Bearing little lists containing the
names of those who have been slated
as supporters
Candidate Airport. who is as6lnf
around Leo ward for votes for himself
for the board Of aldermen SAYS that
30 far as he knows I4@G ward candt~
dates have not entered into any com
pact TO refrain from appearing al
public meetings and the distribution
OF cards and literature. lie says he has
knows OF no such arrangement
Despite the apparent lack of in
serest In the campaign In the various
wards there la much speculation g0-
ing on as to the probable complexion
of the nominees.
Tns Have Best Chance
Up to the beginning of the last week
nf the campaign. from . careful sur
vsy OF the situation. one would be irn-
pallsd to say that the Inns ia every
ward mead fear no defeat. This re
sfection could easily be made by any
one who has attended tho several
meetings, talked with the people from
@vary section of the city, and felt the
pulse Of public sentiment.
There seems TO be a sentiment grow
ing strongly in favor OF tho present
members of city council. This senti-
ment Is stronger in some sections than
others. but the opposition Is apparent
fy not etrons enough 10 Offset the
favorable Impressions which have
been expressed.
In Jefferson ward, where the noxt
active canvass rs being made against
two of the Inns" there appears TO be
more danger TO the recollection ~
those who have been get IN az tar
gets than in any other section Elk
rept possibly in Clay ward. where the
fight between Paul and Pollock. hav-
ing reached the personal stage, is
showing Some strength on both sides.
It In conceded bv friends Of both
the contenders for tho board of alder
men from Clay ward that their fav-
ortte Ia up against IT, The friends
ef Paul point 10 his life long residence
In the ward. and his long list of friends
as being iniricai 10 the success o.
Pollock. a comparatively new resident
of the ward. They concede that the
former councilman from Madison
ward, who was a power In the lower
branch for a number OF years. is not
a man TO he fooled with. when he en-
.ers a campaign. and they feel also
that II he is elected the ward Will have
p man who will ha doing something
for the benefit OF his cacssftuents all
the time But they cannot see why
they should turn down a man who be-
eerved faithfully and well. ana whc
hse been on the spot at every Nneot
Ing. as n watch dog, looking after the
interests Of thu people.
Clay Wards Hot Fight,
The night between these two candi-
dates came TO a head at the mass
meeting at Binford High school on
Thursday night. when Mr.. Pollock de-
MED I'm most emphatic and picturesque
TO Mr.. Paul. concerning the report that
Pollock. was an avowed street car
company candidate. Mr.. Paul did not
deny that he had circulated such re-
ports; neither did he affirm the re
port
The breakdown in his speech Of tn
Church Hill Tigers candidate for the
hoard of aldermen from Jefferson
ward, at the Paramount meeting Fri
AA,x snI.t bn ~ a.
rejoicing on the part of the oppo~ents
OF the Tiger.
When MIR Gross failed to answer
three questions propounded and sat
down amid somet confusion, 1t was
taken for granted by the opposing
forces that Melton stock would Ina
mediately rise, Both Mr., Melton and
Mr. letter, the mon picked for slaugh
ter, were among friends M this meet
ing.
Jefferson Ward Test.
The real test will come on Saturday
night, In Fulton, when the candidates
viii meet on practically neutral
grounds, although 1t is believed the
fiery Britton. who gets applause.
wherever he sneaks. will be nracticai-
~ at home. This meeting will wind
,r the campaign. and IT may prove
a Waterloo for some Of the candidates.
as IL Is intimated gas bombs VIII be
thrown. in the, shane OF questions.
which all the candidates will be ask
ed m answer without resort to
camoufage.
The Situation in Madison ward has
centered around the candidacy o.
Srher ena Iaat fhrAthe fffth Mace on
the ticket. There IL general un-
derstanding that Morton will NIL the
yacancy left over BY cheatwood'ssrc-