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

TIE LEE MONUMENT.

ton OF the Lee monument, III the city Vi
Richmond, to insure an ample al'pro-
priation 10 improve the spot upon "hich
il stands. and preserve IT from The van
dal's hand. II row belongs 20 the state
and should receive the core wh,ch the
sacred memories that cluster around such
a monument demand at the hands OF the
General Assembly OF Virginia It's pres
ent condition l. a shame aud disgrace.
Already It's sup,rstructure has been CHIP
led and marTed by he1rtiess reuc-nunters.
| earnestly recommend immediate action.
Let 1t no longer appear as though our
love for the memory OF Robert Il. Lee Is
waning. The plat should be sodded. the
monument repaired. and The whole en-
closed with a substantial iron railing, suf-
ilciently high to prevent injury or deface-
n-ent.
That ! will strike A responsive chord in
your breasts. ! doubt not. when l recon-
mend that the utmost liberality he SHOWN
to dependent soldiers and dependent
widows of soldiers who served IN VIZ
ginia Commands IN the Confederate army
The Confederate soldier fought Tor pm
ciple. not spoils; patriotism prompted
hiin, not bounty money nor pensions.
Thirty years have passed since the war
between the States closed, ana all VINO
participated in II have passed the merldl-
ar Of life, and numbers OF them are III
old age. Exposure incident 10 that ser
vice has brought disease 10 many, rem
Gering them incapable Of earning hNe-
lihOOd, while others received WOUNDS
which have so weakened them phyaicahy
as to make them dependent. In many IN
stances the widows Of those VINO were
killed or died during the war, or since
from wounds indicted or diseases con-
tracted in tho service, have been recuced
TO poverty and. either Dy reason CT adj
yanced age or impaired health, are COM
PEELED to rely upon the charity ct mems
Tor support Virginia is in duty bounl 10
care for these gallant surviving veterans
and the widows OF the no-less brave ana
loyal zen who gave their lives ~ hcr
defence, and at her behest / am CONN.,
dent J will appeal not in vain for gem
erous appropriations for pensions and In
maintenance OF that noble institution
known as the Confederate Home. Every
loyal Nrginian will applaud you for re-
cognizing in as full measure as possible
yrginia's sacred obligation.
BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.
You will find the report Of the Board
OF Agriculture interesting. and / recon-
mend its car eful perusal The Board d.
rect your attention 10 "the suggestions
for legislation on various subjects con-
tanned in their last annual report. ana /
hope you will give their suggestions
thoughtful consideration
The encouragement Of immigration and
the construction and maintenance OF good
roads are earnestly urged. the import
ance Of the Weather Bureau is present
ed. and the hope expressed that the State
weather service Will be organized ana
placed upon a firm basis; the value OF
soil tests is regarded by the board as
great. and the need Of a typographical
and geographical map Of Virginia Is con-
sidered imperative.
The appropriation for the past fiscal
year for the conduct OF the Department
of Agriculture was $4,000. and the board
reports that the sum Of S9,llO was derived
from the tax on fertilizers. of which So
10 was turned into the State treasury,
in pursuance Of law.
The wealth and glory Of a country arc
inc -eased by trade but IL is in the cult
walton Of the soil that a country's real
strength and stamina are found.
Representing, as you do, state whose
main-stay is agriculture. ! feel that moth
ing | can say can add to your interest in
its needs and wants
INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING.
have already referred to ;he calamity
which has befallen Virginia in the par
tial destruction Of the University, but
the board Of visitors and the faculty
have displayed most commendabie zeal
and splendid executive ability I'm meet
ing the demands OF the situation. The
day after the fire, the lectures were re-
sumCd. and every arrangement has been
made 10 continue them. ana TO provide for
the large number Of students during the
entire University year.
The Medical College continues to enjoy
its wcl-earned reputation. the Female
Normal School Is progressing nnely. the
Military Institute has its barracks well
filed. and retains its high position i'm the
esteem and affections OF the people OF
the South: the Agricultural and Mechan-
ical College is doing excellent WORK under
its superior management. end its matric-
ulations are far in excess of any previous
year in its history; William and Mary
College. so rich IN historic memories. -
moving forward with rapid strides. the
Deaf Dumb. and Blind Institution is
keeping up its standard, and H. still an
ornament 10 the State. and the Normal
and Collegiate Institute ranks with the
best Of It's ind
All Of these institutions merit, and will
receive. ] am sure. all the support YOU
can give them in justice 10 other press
ing demands upon our revenues
PROTECTION OF OUR WATERS.
The wealth OF Virginia in her waters
could hardly be overestimated.
According TO the Baylor survey. there
are 20l.2i63 acres Of natural oyster beds,
rocks. and shoals. and 10000 acres OF
planting ground-Of barren area dispOsa-
BILE by the Commonwealth for the lrCpa-
cation Of oysters" OF course, the natu-
raj rocks cannot be rented, but the inn
mense area outside is leasable. and n
Il could be let at an annual rental OF one
dollar per acre-the price fixed by stat
ute-it would yield as much revenue as is
now realized from real and personal pl OPP
erty of the value of one hundred million
dollars. and nearly as much as from all
| the cities I'm the State IL may be Hat
! this vast cxpanse OF oyster ground v ~
never. under any circumstances or -cn-
ditions, be leased, but suppose the state
can realize from half OF IT. how maGrih
cent will be the returnl
But to preserve the value Of these prop
agating grounds we must guard the seed
ground.
How important. then. il is that we look
well 10 the protection OF the natural beds
| from the dredger az home AM abroa J.
While we have had some trouble with
resident dredgers. incessant have been
! our troubles with non-resdents n the
Tangier and POcomoke sounds until re-
Gently. So persistent and frequent lad
been these incursions by non residents
that during the session Of the last General
| Assembly l recommended an appropriation
for the purpose Of strengthening our oys-
Ter police navy. and the sum Of clO 800
was set apart TO that end. Without *
pending all of this appropriation. the
Board on the Chesapeake and It's Tribu-
taries purchased in the city OF New York
\ etaau,ar ~ lipht -dra .,ogyo,.t nv