The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-14
THE ANrr.roor.pAIL BILL.


The senate Committee on General
Laws yesterday reported by a vote OF >
to 4 Mr.. Barksdale's bill TO prohibit foot
hall. We cannot believe, however. that
this absurd bill will be passed by sonsi-
bic Legislature. Such legislation lowers
the dignity Of the law. and the bill in
question IS an attempt at interference in
affairs with which the Legislature has
nothing TO do Mr.. Barksdale assumes
lofty pose. and declares that the fathers
TO invoke the strong hand Of the law to
protect the lives and limbs Of their boys
and to stay the sporting influence of col
lcge life in favor Of this brutal. dangerous,
inhuman. and yet most fascinating game"
AS though foot-bsi were some unclaimed
monster stalking about 20 throttle the
youth OF this State, whether or not, as
though its prohibition so far as individual
boys are concerned, were not matter of
parental authority.
A prominent State official was asked
the other day II he thought that foot
ball was a dangerous game. and replied:
81 do. indeed, and have told my boy at
college that he must not play II"
There is the whole matter in a nutshell.
II parents do not wish their boys TO play
at football, IL is clearly their right to
prohibit them, but when the Legislature
undertakes to say that nobodys boys
shall play at this game, because 1t is
dangerous, it might as well say that no
body's boys shall ride a bicycle or go gun
ming. or swimming. or play at baseball.
THE people of this country" says the
Lynchburg News. do not accept the pa
ternal theory Of government They be-
ieve in the doctrine OF jefferson. That
government is best that governs least
The liberty Of the citizen should not be
invaded except for the necessary protec-
tion of the community. Every man must
surrender a part Of his natural liberty for
the good Of society. Without such sur.
render, no social compact could exist, and
no government be possible. But the
American theory OF government requires
that personal liberty shall not be abridged
any more than is absolutely necessary
for the good OF the community. Every
man must be protected in the enjoyment
OF his rights, and all others must be
restrained from infringing upon his rights.
SO long as a man Injuries nobody else. he
has a right to do what he chooses with
out the Interference of government. IL
these fundamental principles were al
ways kept in mind by our lawmakers,
they would not be so liable TO so beyond
their legitimate sphere in the attempt TO
regulate the conduct OF private citizens
and 10 pass laws that SAVIOR so strongly
OF the old world idea OF paternsl govern
ment."
That is the very essence Of Democracy,
and it IS for this great principle that
we contend in opposing the anti-foot-
ball bill. The game Of football is one in
which the players voluntarily enter. and
the game is played under rules 10 which
all the players subscribe. Nobody's rights
are infringed. and the Legislature has no
more right to prohibit it than it has TO
prohibit baseball. or marbles, or any
other innocent game in which boys in
dulge. We contend that the entire subject
IS one of family discipline, and beyond
the pale Of legislative action.