Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-17
THE FLEA OF A MOTHER.
Mrs. Robinson Urges That Football
he Abolished.

The New York Herald of Friday
printed the following letter. which will
be read with interest here:
Richmond Va. November 10, 1897.
To the Editor of the Herald:
AS a daily reader of your paper, my
deepest interest has been aroused In your
discussion of football.
Let me cite without details my expert
ence: One year ago-November Z, 1886
my son, Morgan p Rob 1son, at the time
president OF the General Athletic Associa-
ton of the University OF Virginia. was
playing football on the University
grounds. lie received blow on the head
which paralyzed his entire left side. He
Is still an invalid, although we feel as
sured of complete recovery.
For twelve months / have watched him
with the agonized suspense that only
mother can feel.
/ ask you what / have often asked my
self. Can parents with limited means al
ford to support sons at college VINO
risk physical ability in brutal games?
Can father, rich or poor. afford to have
that son brought home a cripple, who
should be the staff of his advancing
years?
How many mothers have strength to
watch through twelve months or more OF
nursing?
What mothers heart can be glad again
II her boy is brought home dead?
What sweetheart is true TO the pest III
woman if she advocates brutal game
that risks the life Of her lover?
And lust here is a reason why football
nourishes and q reason why II snouiu oe
abolished. As long az lovely girls are
spectators OF the field young men VIII
risk everything to attain skill: Ana every
girl should remember that when she at
tends a game she may aid in sounding
the knell of some promising BOY. Insre -
little doubt that many game WouIu nOt
be played II the incentive OF bright, gu
sh eyes was lacking This Is not al.
Girls now introduce the tecnnlcai uic.d
of football in drawing-room chit cnat, 10
the disgust Of refined people.
Another evil. Women VINO attend games
indirectly encourage gambling, for we an
know that a good deal OF money, COM
paratiyely speaking, changes hands on
every field-day. And this money mas o. y
come from the hard-earned savings OF
parents. who have given 1t TO boy 10
equip himself properly for the battle Oh
None of this applies to my son, but
know of several grieyous cases OF 'hiS
Kind.
Surely a student can learn strategy and
cooperation and develop the attributes or
manly character without rlsking 1ou
best gift-human life.
See what a hold this miserable recrea-
ton has on an ardent young mind! Inc
day after my son was paralyzed he forgot
his own condition and suffering, ana SAID:
Mamma. do not let this get in the pa
pers; II might unnerve our boys Tor the
Thanksgiving game with North Carolina,
and / do want SO for our boys to win.
His request was regarded. and no true
statement of his condition was given
This course / consider a moral wrong.
But, under the circumstances, no mother
could refuse the request.
Let all mothers remember tnat eacn
may some day have a crippled son
brought home. And let each mother urge
her husband to send those men TO the
Legislature who will protect the life OF
the first born, as well as the life OF the
Growing cock that struts In their yards'
VIRGINIA MORGAN ROBINSON.