Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-12-02
WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 2. 1891


Hundreds Of subjects will be presented
10 the attention OF the General Assembly
ct the session which will begin to-day,
but there are seven or eight which will
outweigh Oh others and should DO placed
at the bead Of the Calendar.
The public-debt question, congressional
and legislative reapportionment, reduo-
ton of criminal expenses, county roads.
separate coaches for whites and blacks,
new railroad laws, reform in oyster legisla-
ton, azd an appropriation for the Chicago
Fair are matters Of paramount conse-
quence.
What turn the debt settlement will now
take We cannot say. II rests with the
bondholders TO decide whether they will
accept the terms agreed upon. If they
viii not Why then oil that IS left Us to do
IL TO resume our attitude Of defence of the
Treasury against the coupons.
Respportionment Is not gong to be
very easy thing. The census shows
that some counties and cities have lost In
population while others have gained. The
duty Of the two houses. therefore. will be
to reduce some and add 70 others repre-
sentation, and the losers will certainly
protest manfully If not vociferously.
From ali quarters comes the demand for
better roads, but 1t seems that there is a
popular expectation that somehow they
can be secured without additional taxa
ton. II the General Assembly can
manage TO achieve any such triumph as
this IL viii be worthy Of lasting fame. We
judge that the best that csn be done is
for tho State to give fatherly encourage
ment and some help IN the engineering,
and leave all else TO those counties which
feel able to bear special tax. Not few
writers on this theme have counted on
using "the unemployed oonyicts," but
recently the Governor entered into con-
tract with Mason i HoaE to hire them 200
prisoners, and this viii exhaust the supply
OF able-bodied men. These 200 divided
out would have given the counties but
two men eachi
The public demand is 20 clear for law
requiring railroad companies TO provide
separate coaches for whites and blacks
that no doubt remains that the Legislature
viii follow the example of other States in
this respect. Such laws work well in some
of our sister States.
The people demand better railroad law
aud they should have it, aud We believe it
will be given to them very cheerfully.
The indications are that during this ses-
sion we shall hear great deal about the
oyster industry. Certainly legislation in
that direction seems to be needed. but we
do not hope for the best results possible
until the planters and tongers pool their
differences. and come to the General
Assembly In fraternal spirit. bring
ing the draft of bill which will
afford the oyster-beds the protec-
ton they so much need and relieve
the Treasury of the Commonwealth of all
the cost Of supporting the oyster navy.
II these two points can be arranged the
leasehold for planters viii no doubt be
modified and greatly TO their advantage,
and due protection can be provided for the
natural beds.
So far as we can ascertain, public senti-
mont tayors the appropriation Of reason
able amount to send q Virginia exhibit to
the Worlds FAIR. The sum Of 100000 has
been asked for. but that is probably more
than we cen afford to give. The recent
statements made by the Debt Commission
show that we have but little money to
spare. However, we must try to do our
best; not tor the sake of chicago, but for
the sake of Virginia.
1t strikes us that these are the foremost
measures upon which Legislative action
may be expected at tins session. Others
might perhaps make out different list.
bat ave men out Of six would include halt
dozen Of the topics we have selected,
and they alone are worthy of months of
patient consideration in the committee
rooms and legislative halls.