The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-05

ter. established the park at Alexander
Island herefofore mentioned. many miles
/ distant from the original location In Faic-
fax county. ard have, in most bold
faced manner. perverted the purposes OF
! the charter By making their driving park
simply a place, "a stated before Tor
/ horse-race gambling. bcok-making, pool
] selling. &c. at all seasons. Ihey nave
/ done nothing to foster and develop ag-
riculture. and its interests. They have
not given care, aid, and protection. I'm
| time OF sickness or distress. to the mem
bers OF the Grange Camp Association OF
! Northern Virginia. nor cared for the
widow and orphan, nor promoted other
benevolent purposes. They have not held
fairs in the interest of agriculture, nor
/ secured the advantages OF cooperation III
all matters affecting the interests and
mutual Improvement OF the members OF
said association as agriculturlsts; but,
| in a word. the charter granted for high
and commendable objects has been, and
| is being. used for gambling and immoral
purposes only. and under the shield Of a
charter obtained by an honorable a,socia =
/ tion-a body of men engaged IN "a call
ing the purest of all callings '-gamblers
are daily pursuing their nefarious voca-
| tions. debauching youth. corrupting early
manhood and robbng all who come with
, In the reach OF their filching fingers.
| What are they doing? Section ., OF the
charter act aforesaid. relieves the Grange
| Camp Association Of the payment Of all
State. county, or corporation taxes-a
concession in the interest OF agriculture
and now these people. standing In the
| shoes Of the members Of the Grange Camp
| Association, are claiming, or can claim,
exemption from all taxation.
| In view Of the facts ] have just given,
| it is hardly necessary for me to say that
| I recommend the prompt repeal o. the
act approved February p, 1885, entitled
| AN act to incorporate the Grange Camp
| Association OF Northern Virginia.
IN ALEXANDRIA COUNTY.
Your special attention Is directed TO the
condition Of affairs along the Potomac
river in Alexandria county. From Jack
son City TO the line OF Fairfax county, a
distance of five miles. more or less, the
laws of this State have been for Ions
period put at defiance. aud that part OF
Virginia's territory made typical Bota-
ny Bay for the criminal and degraded
classes Of Washington city These gam
bling saloons and dsreputable houses dis
play their brazen fronts day 0nd night,
and every species OF crime Is committed.
The law officers are either powerless. or
they wilully neglect their duty. Some
thing must be done to relieve Virginia OF
the odium cast upon her by The existence
Of such place on her soil. The majesty
Of The law must be asserted. As the EX-
ecutive, | have no authority. The judge
of the County Court has been unable TO
suppress the lawlessness. because his
authC rity VI der the statute Is inadequate.
l would recommend that a special act
be raised. empowering the judge OF said
court TO suspend the sheriff, or any JUS
Of Ia.
county. whenever, IN his opinion said
officer has failed TO do his duty, such sus-
pension to continue until a hearing ~
had before Jury on a motion 10 remove
said officer: and that said judge be fur
Their empowered TO appoint as ma y
special justices of the peace and con-
stables as he may see tit. either in tenn
time or vacation. / further recommend
that said judge be authorized 10 remove
any criminal case pending IN his court 10
the county court Of some adjoining eoun-
~ for trial. whenever, In his opinion, the
demands of justice and the due enforce
ment of the laws require it. These pow
ers will. OF course. be extraordinary. but
extreme remedies are very approprla. .
for exteme diseases" Radical measures
must be adopted 10 relieve the locality Of
it's acknowledgements character, and or
this you will be fully convinced when YOU
come to investigate the facts, for they
could hardly be exaggerated.
PRIZE-FIGHTING.
Prize-nghting has repeatedly occurred
i'm the State within the last two years.
II has been impossible TO convict the par
ticipants because the spectators nave
been in sympathy with the cisgra feiul
affairs: and. However brutal the contest,
i'm the opinion Of these sympathlZeis,
wher introduced as witnesses, II was not
a prize-hght. hut an innocent glove-con-
test Men In the ring have assaulted each
Other in a manner which. If done else
where would have made them amenabe
to severe punishment: Dut. rs the assaults
were made In the "manly-art ring, Il
was regarded as harmless amusement.
These exhibitions are neither innocent,
harmless. nor manly, but brutal as bull
or dog fight. They are degrading IN the
extreme. and tend 20 inculcate in the
minds Of the young that IL Is better 10
become a champion prize-nghter than TO
excel in the mechanic arts, trades, or
professions
The people everywhere are maniiestins
a determination 10 suppress these shame
fui exhibitions. whether they are called
pIize-fghts or glove contests, and re-
Gently the legislatures Of New York and
we're penalties, for violations.
I recommend the amendment Of sec
lions 1898 and 1924 of the Code. so az 10
conform TO enlightened public sentiment.
making prize-fshting felony, and glove
contests-whether In private or public, in
a park. club OF other place. for admission
fees purse, or any other thing, directly
or indirectly-also felony
THE CAPITOL.
would reconmend an appropriation
TO nut a new metal roof with metal
rafters on the Capitol. ! am informed
by an experler ced architect that the
safety of the building requires II. Now
that the library has been removed, this
old structure. so historic. with its clus-
tering memories. and so many valuable
records as well as invaluable statuary
and paintings still remaining in II. ought
10 be preserved, and / suggest that II can
be. and should be. made as near fire.
proof as possible.
CONCLUSION.
Now. having done my duty-imperfect-
lv IL may Dee. but 10 the best Of my abll-
ity-I submit this. my message. to YOU
with implicit faith in your devotion TO
the welfare Of this Commonwealth and
abiding confidence in your wisdom.
shall cooperate earnestly with you in
your patriotic efforts TO advance the inter
ests. promote the prosperity. preserve the
horored name Of Virginia, and hold her
above reproach. ! beg TO express the
hone that your session may be harmoni-
Gus and pleasant that in the providence
OF God your health may continue good
and. when your labors are ended, you
may return to those who sent you. and
receive their plaudiis as faithful ser
wants.