The morning times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1897, 1895-11-05
Virginia PRESS is AWAKE.

There is hope of Immediate reform across
the river when the Virginia press becomes
a unit for a radical determination of the
thieves and thugs who infest fair Alex
andria county.
The Richmond Dispatch prints strong
and comprehensive editorial review of
the situation which cannot fail To further
stimulate whatever power is behind the
gratifying raid of Saturday night. The
Dispatch says:
The rising tide OF public Indignation is
sure to ensuif the deIlers OF Virginia au-
-thoFity III county of AleXandrla Never
Will this commonwealth be content to
have'ner laws condemned and her authorit y
spat upon.
As we iIIve all along said, there is nothing
that the Governor OF this State and the
judge OF Alexandria county can 90 that
VIA BE lett undone by them 10 break up
TINS nest ey1l-doers. We may expect
10 hear irUnl the Governor on this subtett
10 his annual message to the general assem-
bly,. He VIII doubtless propose practical
legislation 10 undo The charter under which
tue Alexandria lsla nd people are operating
ana TO assert the authority of the comm on
wealth in that county.
Meanwhile the judge, common wealth's
attorney, and grand jury of Alexandria
county nave been active. A number of the
law-breakerS have been indicted, and will
soon be- tried. Better stiil, four justices
OF the peace, who have been stumbling
blocks IN the way Of the administra tion
Of Justic n Alexandria county, have
been recommended for removal by the
grand jury.
Some OF these magistrates are suspected
OF being IN collision with the la W -lefiers,
ana others are too ignorant TO understan
the duties Of their offices. Two OF them
are white and two Observation-Disclosures,
as many of our readers know, being Re-
publican county.
With these Instructors of the law out
of the way, and men of high character
and intelligence put into their places by
Judge Chichester, long step will have
been taken in the direction of re-estab-
fishing the authority of this Common
wealth over Alexander Island, and other
such localities. Then it viii but remain
for the general assembly to legisiate
against winter racing, and revoke the
Grange charter, under which much lawleSS-
ness has been allowed
As we have said before. we do not he
lieye that the public sentiment of this
State is hostile to legitimate horse-racing,
Bat it is hostile to winter racing. II
is hostile TO the gambling that is carried
on at Alexander Island. In the effort TO
drive away the Gutenberg gang now Ell
trenched, as II were. at Alexander Island,
theEovcruUr and the county Judge ana those
vino are on their side will have the earnest
help Of the lovers of legitimate racing in
Virginia, for wen they know that nothing so
much brings into contempt real horse-ra cling
as such dOings as those at Alexander Island
and in that vicinity.
The situat ion at Alexander Island is
clearing rapidly. First, there is a good
prospect that the uutrustworthy justices
will he removed, nd trustworthy men put
into their places Next, there is believed
to be ample evidence 10 convict the persons
who have beeuindictcd. Next. the governor
may be relied upon to make in his annual
message strong representation as 10 the
necessity for new legisiat ion, and we cannot
bUL believe that the legislature will gladly
respond to the demand Of the people and
pass such laws as Will compel the present
occupants of Alexander Island to retire to
Guttenhurg, Jersey City. Washington, or
wherever else they belong.