Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-12-14
1T COMES NEAR BEING PIGEON
HoLED IN COMMITTEE.
YOUNG LADIES OPPOSE ITS PASSAGE.
The Mother of hoy Hurt In
Game Writes Beseeching Its En-


once or quite a crowd OF ladies', football
men, and legislators. and not all of tn
former were wearing Senator Barksdale'
colors AT every good play made b,
Senator Letchers team they showeG
their enthusiasm by hearty applause un
I'll Referee Mushbach was compelled e
insist that they keep "out of the bounds
The two teams lined up at 1915, ant
the 'antis' having won the toss, they
chose their goal. and Senator Banks
dale Kicked off, by reading a letter
from Mrs. Virginia Morgan Robinson, in
! opposition to the sport.
The patron of the measure having
read the lengthy letter, made an argu-
ment against the "so-called sport"
Chairman Mushbach then presented a
letter received by Dr. Southall from the
| Richmond District Woman's Temperance
| Union. which was read by the Clerk.
| The letter was full of objections TO the
game, on the ground that 1t was danger
Gus 10 the life and limb Of youth. The
case of Morgan =. Robinson, of this city,
who was injured I'm a football game on
/ the University team. and who has never
recovered, was cited as only one out of
many such instances where the lives of
young men were wrecked by participation
in the sport. Mrs. Robinson. mother of
the young man referred to, was present.
and with tears in her eyes stated that
her son was yet in a disabled condition
from the injuries he had received.
SHOWS HOW THEY PREPARE.
Mr.. Williams, Of Richmond College
made a strong argument in favor Of the
sport. lie declared that the game, as
played to-day. and with the precautions
used, was comparatively safe. He then
produced some Of the paraphernalia used
by the players. Mr.. Williams placed upon
the table a satchel and from this he
took mask used upon the head, and at
the request Of one of the members Of the
committee he harnessed himself in the
queer-looking concern. Next he placed
i'm its proper position nose guard"
The shin guard" was then put on. and
when the young player had completed his
armOr ne might have run against a troll
ley car without sustaining serious in
jures.
None Of the college boys. he said, were
now suffering from injuries received i'm
the game Only a few days ago. said
the student, the boys, wishing to play a
mice, innocent, harmless little game"
engaged in the sport called handy" That |
afternoon one of the boys was compelled |
TO have three stitches taken on his head, |
and two others were badly disabled Mr.. |
Williams at the conclusion of his re-
marks answered several questions as /
TO the rules of the game, in which he
proved that 1t was only by violation |
Of these rules that injuries were liable
AN EX-FOOT-BALLIST
House from Greene and Madison, and
for three years a famous centre rush"
on the Varsity team, made the first
touchdown" when he presented him
self as a living example Of the harmless
ness of the game. He had fought on
many a gridiron, and shared the glory
Of many a victory won under the colorS
Of the orange and blue. and yet had
never received a scratch. Van Gam
mons mother, said the ex-foot-ball man.
had not petitioned the Georgia Legisla-
lure TO enact "A law prohibiting the game
Mr.. Early asked Senator Barksdale if |
Mr.. Robinson was a regular player on !
he team. Mrs. Robinson. in reply 10
his question, stated that her son was
'aptain Of the second team She denied
he rumors afoat that young Robinson
lad been paralyaed from too much ex-
rcise." but declared that she would. |
nder oath, make the assertion that his
INJURIES were received from blow re-
eived i'm a game. She was not opposed
o all athletic sports. Another son Of
lers had sustained a broken nose from
but she declared a crooked ,
lose was a very small matter, and she z
vas still in favor of the national game 5
VIVA BY ONE VOTE. !
Mr.. w. r. Duke, member Of the House /
rom Charlottesville made a strong ar :
ument in opposition to tho measure. 2
The room was then cleared Of all spec !
ators and the committee. without fur
her argument, took the bill up and de- n
ided to report it favorably by the fol- v
wing vote: For the bill-Alessrs. Kane, s
lassie, Barksdals. Barnes. and Steele. L
sainst the bill-Messrs. Flood, Mush- !
ach, Lowry and Letcher =
For Board of Fisheries. n
lie cato, Of Accomac, Will in a h
w days, introduce a bill providing for 7,
lie creation of Il board Of fisheries The n
IL will be drawn on broad and liberal r,
les, and Is expected not only to meet
e approval Of the Tidewater people, u
It to satisfy the anti-oyster represen- -
tives. The bill provides Tor a board
five persons, to be appointed by the rC
)vernor, 10 which board will be rele- OF
tea the protection Of the oyster. clam II
ing, Grabbing, and fishing interests OF III
c State, the enforcement of the tax
VS. for the collection Of State revenue,
ID the recommendation Of such future IT.
5islatiOn as may be deemed necessary.
is hoped that by this means the con-
ST. hitherto wageG between the repre-
natives Of local interest and state en-
uity ON the floors of the assembly, may u.
satisfactorily compromised; the oyster ~
venues largely increased, and these -
ate industries securely placed on a bust in
SIS basis satisfactory TO all sections. bu
senator lie Cato estimates that there at
a hundred thousand citizens of the
ate more or less directly dependent on
on these several industries, and that 70
Importance Of the subject entities II Nj
serious consideration He maintains cit
II there never was State interest so
al in it's Importance and magnitude 60
1t has been managed so loosely. lie pu
ieves that a proper application Of
siness principles 10 the management Gel
this industry would treble the oyster u
enue in one year under the present nj.
es of taxation. IN,
5 an illustration he cites the fact | cal
I there are 1900 tongmen in the State Ne
o are supposed TO pay a tax of s. III.
its equivalent; when. as a matter OF 81
t, only about 5000 is collected Tn IN,
the present laws 1t is impossible to ne,
Get this tax, and II can only be pro-
ly collected when some one is made
ponsible for the enforcement OF the
enue laws, and the suggestion Of such pll
---------------- 49, 49, ----- JOl