Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-01-01
RICHMOND
NEWS AND GOSSIP.
Membership of Boards of
Public Instructions.
GOVERNOR TYLER TALKS
GOVERNOR
The Executive Wants to SEQ More In
terest Manifestod-win Apply for
franchise TO Es,ob,,sh General
Conduis system-Rcv. DIR. "A. r.
D,ckenson TO we'd Miss sngby-A
Pathetic Appeal.
Especial to virginian-pllot.,

1tlcnmond, va, December 31.-COv-
oernor Tyler is receiving commenda-
tons of his policy to scatter throughout
the State as far as possible member
ship of the boards of various institu-
tons. The plan was not entirely popu-
lar at first. 1t was thought by many
that 1t was advantageous, fer various
reasons. to have as many members of
the boards from this city as possible,
as Richmond, by reason OF being the
capital of the State and the largest
city In Virginia, was a centre of In
huence, and her citizens could better
WELD such influence In behalf OF the
institutions they served. 1t was and is
the belief Of Governor Tyler, however,
that it will prove highly beneficial TO
such institutions to have new and ac-
tive friends in localities where they are
now practically unknown.
Many people In this State do not
know anything of the work that is be-
Ing done at the Virginia Military Insti-
tute," said Governor Tyler to-day.
They do not, above all. know that the
State furnishes free tuition there
want them to know 1t. l want the
people in counties where the institute
and where other of our beneflclent
State institutions are practically UNI
known to know that Virginia is doinl,
a great work for many classes OF her
citizens. l do not believe this fact can
better be brought home to them than
by having their neighbors on the boards
of State inst!tutions-men who will
take an interest in the work devolving
upon them and the work of the insti-
tutions. who Will be impressed by its
magnitude, and who will tell their peo-
pie about It," And then the Governor
cited as an instance of lack OF popular
information regarding State institu-
tons the necessity which the State
Board OF Education was under recently
OF mailing n large number of circulars
for the purpose OF informing the peo-
pie of the State that the Deaf and
Blind Institute at Stanton was open
to afflicted children.
CONDUIT SYSTEM.
1t Is announced to-day that n syndi-
cate of Richmond capitalists will in {,
short time apply TO the Common Coun-
Gil for franchise to enable it 10 es-
tablish n general conduit system IN this
city. The papers are now In course of
preparation.
The system contemplated will carry
all small wires. such as telegraph, tel
ephone. electric lighting and others.
For some three years the Council his
recognized the necessity of such n Sys-
tenn. To put down conduits covering
all districts now overcrowded with
wires would cost at the lowest cnlcu-
lation half n million dollars The ex-
tensions that would be necessary In the
course of ton years would probably
necesstate the expenditure OF two mil
lions of dollars. The necessity OF such
a system is evidenced by the fact that
the City Council on September 10, 1895,
passed an ordinance requiring all wires,
except street car wires, to be put under
ground. The city was prevented from
carrying out the provisions Of the or
dinance by the position taken by the
Southern Bell Telephone Company and
the consequent litigation.
REV. DIR. DICKINSON TO WED.
Rev. DR.. a. e. Dickenson has gone
to King and Queen county, where. on
Tuesday morning, he will he married
to Miss Bessie Bagby, recently princi-
pal of the Womans College of This
city. DIR. Dickinson Is editor OF the
Religious Herald is undoubtedly the
1.cst widely known Baptist in VIZ
ginia. and few men In the State have
q. larger acquaintance. He has olso
done Il great deal for Richmond Col
lege, and has, besides. developed n tall
ent for laying up earthly treasure that
will enable him to take excellent care
of n bride. DR.. Dickenson is a native
of Louisa. Miss Bagby is 4 highly ac-
complished woman, being a graduate
of Hollins Institute and Cornell Univer-
sity, and has been at the head of two
or three of the best known educational
institutions of the South. The wedding
has been kept a profound secret.
MARRIED IN WASHINGTON
On last Tuesday morning Mr.. j.
Thomas Gates and Miss Mary Louise
Avis. of Richmond, accompanied by
Miss Minnie Avis, of Goochland coun-
ty, Went to Washington. where they
were married. After spending several
days in Washington and Baltimore the
party returned to Richmond this morn
ing, where they will make their future
home, on West Marshall street. Mr..
Gates is valued cmploye of the Rich
mond Dairy Company, and the bride is
daughter of Mrs. Mary S. Avis, of
this city.
A PATHETIC APPEAL.
The Governor has received n most
pathetic letter from Helen Webster.
mother of James Webster, the negro
youth under sentence to be executed for
criminal assault at Bedford City on
January 9Th. Governor Tyler says this
Is one of the most touching communi-
cations he has ever received 1t is
evidently written by the woman her
self. as the spelling and grammar are
very poor. She states that her boy had
n fair trial and there is no grounds for
complaint against any one. The APP
peal is one for mercy.
BIG ORDER FOR LOCOMOTIVES.
The Richmond Locomotive and Ma
chine Works has just received from the
Erie railroad an order for fifty ten
wheel locomotives. The reputation OF
the locomotive works is rapidly EXTEND
Ing, and orders are pouring in upon
them from roads not only III this, but
In other countries.
IN SICK ROOMS.
The condition of Mr.. William BRYANT.
the young mechanic who attempted to
Kill himself with n razor. lust before