Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-02-23

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OF opening and ad5ournins the TWO hou'''
day by day.
And so Il would seem mat tnele
are only sever or eight worAing-days iei'
the Legislature, yet much remains UNI
don.. Industrjous as members have un-
er,eStionably been during the session. u
Is a fact that their most important worN
is unfinished. The appropriation Dhi
has not yet been acted upon by either
house. In II Is the oil for the machinery
OF government. And. inasmuch as II Is
proposed to attempt to reduce expenses
in certain directions, II Is certain tna'
the appropriation bin will be the sub
ject OF more than usual discussion.
Next In Importance TO the appropria-
ton bill comes the elections bill. on this
subject It now seems that the two houses
are OF logger-heads; but we are not
without hope that a basis OF compro-
mise will be reached. To this end
there should be mutual concessions. III
the Legislature should 20 away without
action with reference TO elections IL Is
doubtful if our vote for presidential cleo
tors could be polled. At any rate. there
is too much risk for us 10 take. Demo
Gratis ought TO come together and make
such amendments to or changes In the
existing law as seem TO be needed.
Next In Importance 10 action upon the
elections law we put the matter OF the
investigation OF the Deaf, Dumb and
Blind Institution. This inquiry should
be closed as soon as 1t may be done with
justice TO accused and accusers; and, IL
possible, the report OF the committee
should be made and published some days
In advance OF the day on which it will
be acted upon. The people are deeply
aroused on this subject. But all they
ask Is that there shall be no unnecessary
delay: that justice be done that the
guilty be exposed and that the innocent
be shielded.
1t would be exceedingly unfortunate
should the debate on the Investigating
Committees report have to take place
In the hurry. and hustle Of the closing
hours OF the session.
Another thing that the Legislature ought
to do before It adjourns Is to pro-
vide more cell-room for the male pris-
oners in the penitentiary. The crowd
ing that is now necessary there Is
shocking. This Is the concurrent and
emphatic testimony Of all the officers
whose duty it is to speak on this sub
ject, and Of all persons who have visited
the penitentiary and seen the cells when
the men are In them. 1t is dread
ful to think OF the noxious air that these
men have to breathe. The Legislature
ought either to furnish the money to
build additional cells. or should instruct
jailers TO hold convicts until the peni-
Tertiary population is reduced. The good
name Of this Commonwealth is in
jured every day that the present distress
ing condition OF things is allowed to con-
tinue.
We have our doubts as to whether the
Legislature will be able TO save the tax
payers any money this session. II has cut
down--or rather, IL Is aiming to cut down.
expenses here and there; but IT must In
crease expenses In other directions
The proposition TO take a vote Of the
people upon the question OF calling con-
stitutional convention viii not be adopt
ed. Democratic public opinion is not yet
sufficiently favorable to the idea to make
the result OF the vote certain. And then
We are all at sea as TO our election laws
The Legislature would blunder sadly IL
x neglected TO make provision for full
compliance with the United States cattle
quarantine regulations. Richmond is
especially interested i'm this matter. Nir-
| ginia will be bound by any regulations
that Secretary Morton makes, and hence
we should take care so TO deal with cat
| tie from districts where Texas-fever Is
prevalent that we shall not call down
upon our heads "the heavy hand" OF the
United States authorities. Here Is a
place where false economy may cost us
dearly. Let city and country legislators
both beware.
The bin requiring each State hospital
for the insane 10 have a woman physician
| for the women's ward has passed the
House, but has been reported adversely
| by the Senate committee. Notwithstand-
! ing the committees unfavorable action.
we hope that the Senate will comply with
the unquestionable wish of the Virginia
\ people in this matter All that Is asked
| is that the physician who is given charge
| OF the women's ward shall be a woman.
| The superintendent OF the hospital will
stll be supreme, as at present Twice
has the House voted in favor Of this
| change Sooner or later the Senate, too.
will have TO yield TO the overwhelming
public opinion on this subject, and il
would better yield now, and as gracefully
as possible.