The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-01-24
evening Stats soaraal.
TUESDAY EVENING, JAN. "a, 1871.
SPIRIT OF rnE moHNiNo PRESS,

weather, the editorial columns of our NOR
: ing contemporaries are pretty well fill
this morning, and the performances of t
editors are quite creditable, and will
received by their admirers with enthusia
tic applause. First, in response to Oh
call, the Dispatch appears in front of Il
curtain, and, yielding to the vocfero'
dem and for speech from pit and CALLER,
acquiescently bows, and tells the audient
What it Knows of Fish Farming" TIL
is set-off to Mr.. Greeley's famous treati,
on cabbage raising. The Dispatch pre-
poses to put the majestic james
some use, since her valuable water-powe
cannot be made available for the want @
Northern capital; and, therefore, woul
multiply the number and improve tn
stock of "small fry" in the river, to sup
port the "small fry who own its nobl
banks, and will neither eat the hay tha
grows upon them, nor suffer any one els
to eat'it. They are worthy imitators of the
great founder of Richmond King Powha.
tan. In their proud poverty, they can
still live on fish and bask in the sunshine
of perpetual idleness on the banks of the
fish-producng James.
The Dispatch recommends the introduo-
ton and cultivation of the black bass
We thought certainly, with its strong
prejudices against everything black, it
would suggest white fish; but then they
are found in the Northern lakes, and
therefore, are equally Objectionable as
"carpet- baggers." But seriously, does our
contemporary not think the banks of the
river might be made more productive than
its bed ? Is it not better to build manu-
factories than to fritter away our time in
trying to force fish into stream nature
evidently did not intend for their habi-
tation2
The Dispatch has also some very good
suggestions on the subject of coroners' in
quests, prompted by the criminal neglect
of the authorities to hold nquests on the
bodies of persons who have been acct
dentally killed. In no other place in the
country is there such disregard shown
for human life. 1t refers especially to the
failure to inquire into the cause of the
death of the victims of the Capitol disss-
ter, of the Spotswood fire, and similar ca
lamities. OF course, whenever a human |
being meets sudden, violent or acciden- |
tai death, the cause ought to be investi-
gated.
In all other places where we have ever
lived the coroner holds an inquest when
ever it appears the death occurred without
the assistance of a physician and it
ought to be SO here. Why, it is the easiest
thing 10 the world to rid yourself of an
enemy by poison, and lay it at the door
of appoplexy, disease of the heart, suicide, |
or some other natural or unnatural cause.
Deaths by accident should all be fully in
quired into, that the responsibility may be
placed where it belongs. Richmond has
certainly had warnings enough to make
her people cautious, and her authorities
more careful in providing against accidents,
such as we experienced during the last
year. The Dispatch rightly says.
When an accident happens by which either
life or property is lost, there should be a
investigation of the causes of it, and
a jury of intelligent men should, upon the tes-
timony obtained, form deliberate conclusion,
to be filed in the proper Office. The verdicts
thus obtainened might form the basis of laws
that would help to secure that protection for
the community which it was the object of the
union of all under the body polite to obtain.
This sort of inquiry on behalf Of the people
should embrace all sorts of accidents and ca
lamities. No place should be shut out from an
inquiry requisite for the safety of all men. AS
it is, we are very particular to institute an in
vestigation into case of drowning or infant.
eide, but the disasters which destroy the lives
of many are left without examination. The {
public amuse themselves with speculations as
wide and as incompatible with one another,
and often with the facts, as it is possible for
them to be.
|
We seem to be In too much haste to
bury our dead out of our sight, and forget
them, without seeking to know "when, !
where, and in what manner" they shuffled
off this mortal coil, or had it shuffled off
for them. The Dispatch then desires to :
know if law cannot be passed directing
a wise scrutiny into every disaster, and ia
urging it, says
In older countries there are such laws. In
some the law is so strict that no dancing party
Is allowed to take place on the second floor of
4 private house until it has been examined and !
approved as capable of sustaining the weight
IF a number of the people moving in the i
lance. All public houses are subject to the !
most rigid supervision By specified authorities,
and none are permitted to be opened as places
If entertainment for strangers until in the sew
,ral respects of safety and security which the
aw deems important the experts in architecs
;ure and building have given their approval
Yes let all our hotels, places of amuse-
nent, churches and other public places, be
inspected and made as secure as possible. 9
It is our duty to do this, and having done
t we may then trust the rest to Him who
holds us in the hollow of his hand. Exit
Dispatch.) 4
A loud call from the boxes brings out d
he Whig. The Major bowed his best bow
md esmole" his kindliest smile, and then .
old us about the debate in the House of 5
Delegates yesterday, between Col. Guy and /
Judge Cochran, on the Augusta county c
to the Valley railroad. But
Is the bill passed, and COL Cochran again
carried his point and the road triumphed, I
t is not necessary for us to give any more
If the Majors speech on that point. :
The Wing has column on "What Vir- /
,inia Needs" As what she needs will !
eadily occur to the minds of all, and is
in the simple sentence, "Capital, r
immigration, and good government" and {
Is that is the quntessence of all articles
IN that subject, it is useless for us to bur- 4
len our columns with an extended cata- 9
ogue of "Virginias needs"
The Whig, however, reduces her" Needs"
n the one thing of internal i'm nrovemanfa i