Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-07-23
THE RICHMOND D1spArcH-sUNDAY. JULY %, 1888:
THE COURT GREEN.

The people of the Ninth Circuit
| owe a debt OF gratitude TO Judge
Il. r. y. Wright, Of Essex. lie
is not only one Of the best all
round judges In the State, put he mas
| found time 10 interest the people OF his
| circuit in their local history. This he has
| done by encouraging them to have por-
traits made Of their distinguished dead.
and these he has placed upon the walls of
the court-rooms. This scheme Of his has
been successfully inaugurated In several
OF the counties and will be followed, we
doubt not, by citizens OF other counties.
The portraits are usually presented with
speech-makings and other ceremonies,
and thus the occasion is made social and
educational. OF course, family pride. as
well as local pride, lends itself to the sue
cess OF the scheme. but the fact remains
that 1t Is chiefly due to Judge Wrights
personal influence and intelligent aid in
the work that so much has been done, and
that so much Is certain 70 be done here
after in the Same direction.
In most Virginia counties the court
of the people True it Is not so much
news centre as it was before newspapers
became so widely circulated; yet from 1t
radiates a vast amount Of gossip which IS
Of surprising interest, and which no pa
per can get hold Of The courthouse,
also holds its place as a market; local
market. where, on "cote-days," good
deal Of small trading is done. And, from
time to time when q great trial is on
everybody wants To be there to see the big
men, and to discuss Developments as
they occur. Again, the courthouse is used
for many public gatherings aside from
those pertaining to law and politics Thus
it is that, when a portrait is placed upon
the walls of the courtroom, 1t is in a posi-
ton where, sooner or later, every man in
the county will view IT, In time we eX-
pect that the course which has been so
wisely promoted by Judge Wright Will be
followed 10y every Virginia county.
So, we may make ourselves satisfied that |
the courtroom walls are to be embellish- !
ed. But who is going to care for the |
green? In many places We |
regret to say, the green's are not green,
and are not clean. In some instances, in
deed, hogs are allowed to invade them.
and root about at will. Horses, too, are
allowed to stand at racks, and stamp and
otherwise dshgure the ground. Where
there are wells and pumps the drainage
Is not always what it should be. Again,
d fag a lt
green by the wind And, as for the grass,
except in the early summer, it can be cali
"a green" only by mistaken courtesy. Its
name is green it ought to be green, and
he law, which always supposes that pub
ic authorities do what the law requires
hem to do permits a court-green to 10 re-
erred TO as If it really were bona-hde
'cote-green."
Would that there could he a general
movement i'm this State in favor of inn
rowing and identifying our court-greens!
We cannot think very highly Of a county
which permits a ram-shackle fence
round its courthouse yard. and which,
ncomplainlngly submits to a green
which is a 'burlesque on the name.
Tidiness about courthouse and about
he green can be secured at small expense
f labor and trouble. Where this tidiness
absent the public will attribute it to the
'ant Of energy, or taste. upon the part OF
he persons responsible for the delin-
uency.
If. at each county seat. there were an
rganization of ladies, who might have b
barge Of the green, we should soon see
vast improvement They would have
reen grass They would make war upon g,
They would protest against
duck-puddes. They would
liant lower-beds. and would make beauti-
n spots that are now eyesores. Nor
ould their work be thrown away. II
ould have a refining influence throughout
he village. We should soon see cleaner 3
reefs, and more attractive front-yards.
hus each countyman would have his
)unty pride increased. Thus each stran- s
er coming to the courthouse village, or Il
OWN, would be inspired to say: This is
clean, thrifty, self-respecting people,
nd l should like TO live among them"