The evening times., 1897-12-23


been introduced in the Virginia Iegis-
lature t. protect the students and teachers
Of female schools and colleges from the
offensive attentions OF "mashers.'' The
legislature of 1s93-94 PASSED bill giving
city and town Councils the power to
pass ordinances prohibiting flirting" with
school misses. Richmond has such a
mea sure.
The WUniaI.'s College VI Richmond, Of
which Dr. Nelson is principal, urged the
Richmond ordinance, and is supposed to
he the power behind Senator McCune's
bill. The cclleg, is thanked on either
side by medical colleges, and although
the girls exercise grounds are surrounded
by high walls, it has been no bar to :liIta-
tion. The Young men students found mean
of communicating with the girls. The
ordinance was enforced. Several arrests
! were made, but the flirting Continued.
Then il WIS ttat Senator J. q. McCune
was appealed to, and he agreed to intro
duce a bill. lie represents Shenandoah
and Frederick counties, two of the most
prosperous In the State, where there are
many schools lie is one OF tie Repub-
licaus In the senate, and a bachelor. The
bill is officially known as senate bill No
80, and II is very carefully drawn 1t is
entitled, "A bill for the protection uf
boarding schools and colleges for females
and the principals and inmates thereof"
Following is the text of tie bill:
Hereafter 1t shall lie unlawful for any
person or persons to wiifully and unnec-
essarily Interfere with, disturb, or In
any way uisquiet the pupils OF any school
a al fa.fta 81 IN 10 Mt hGa
principal or teachers in charge Of them
Will, on any public road or street, or in
any building or struct ure, or on the
school premises; nor snail any coInInuni-
cation he had for such purposes with such
pupils, or any one OF them, either orally
or III writing, or by signs or otherwise.
And II shall also be unlawful for anyiper-
sou to enter upon any such school or col
lege premises, except on business, With
out ilrst having obtained permission OF
the principal in charge of the zane; ana
every Person guilty Of either OF said Of
fenses shall be deemed guilty Of mis-
denIeanor, and upon conviction thereof
shall pay Il fiuc OF not less than So nor
more than $50 for each offense On the
first convict ion, and upon the second
and each subsequent conviction of a like
offense, shall pay fine of not less than
$40 or fuore than $50. and be imprisoned
at the discretion Of the court not less
tHdu tSll DUt IlOfe IHdu Unity udNr.
1t shall be unlawful for any person or
persons to loiter, wander, stand or sit
upon the public loads, streets, alleys. side
walks or other places, or to frequently or
unnecessarily pass along the same in such
a manner and with intent to annoy,
veX or disturb the owners, lessees or occu-
pants OF any premises in the state used
fOr the purposes OF school or college
for the education OF females, or with
intent to disturb, annoy and harass the
teachers, principals or pupils. or any OF
them, as they pass along tine public high
ways, streets or alleys OF any city in the
state. And any person or PERSONS viclat-
ing this section OF this act shall be deemed
guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction
snail he lined and punished in the same
way and to the same extent as if con-
yict ed under the frs. section of this act.
Senator McCune makes this statement Of
his reaso ms for Introducing the bill:
Ny reasons for introducing bill 10
prevent flirting with females in female
seminaries are thes.:
First-In my district there are many
female seminaries and colleges. These in
stitutions are under the charge and control
of intelligent. pure Christian women, who
are endedvorinG to educate and bring up
the future sweethearts, wives and mothers
of this grand Old comm on wealth.
Second-when these teachers and tn.ir
charges want and need an outing they
cannot take 1t without being annoyed and
harassed by d gang of Ioafers and would
be mashers--dudes, young men who dress
well thow, no one can tell, exc ept, per
haps, fiicir tailorsl, and If caught in the i ct
Of disturbing these young ladies and their
lady teach,rs they answer all questions and
queries by exciaiming: Il belong to ohe 81
the first families Of Virginia; my people are
SO-and- So. I caI do no wrong"
Yet, If they could disturb, harass and an
noy these ladies which they certainly do,
they do SO. There is no protection nor re-
fief from these prowlers, debauchers ami
libertines.
Shall The good people OF Virginia have
their daughters SO treated?
Should the noble women of the Southhave
their daughters assailed thus?
Yet they say: Virginia is the place to
invest money. Come down and live with
US In the grahdest country ON Gods green
earth."
Protect our girls and our homes need no
further protection. Sincerely yours,
]. G. McCUNE.
The bill has been referred to the com
mlttee on public instruction and educa-
ton. Chairman George W. Morris is op
posed to IL. He says 1t is a step toward
interfering with personal liberty. Sena-
tor Barks,ialc says the bill is ridiculous.
Senator McCune says he Will make a lively
fight for his measure.
Late Local Happenings.