Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-06-24
THE STATE PRESS.

Speaking of the abuse of the plea of
insanity in our courts of law, the
Blackstone Courier says:
What we wish to see is that when
an acquittal is had under the insanity
plea, the accused must be confined in
an asylum for the same length of time
they would have been confined In Jail
or the penitentiary for the offense. had
not the plea of insanity been made. In
case 1t would have been the death pen
atty, let the confinement be for life.
II under temporary insanity they COM
NIT some crime they may under the
same influence, at some other time,
commit like offence, and are there
fore menace to society at all times
and are fit subjects for perpetual re-
straint."
AS usual the customary gang of
kids were at the commencement exer-
cses of the Hampton Academy last
Friday evening and made things dis
agreeable for the audience. It's pity
that this rough element can't be kept
out of these places on such OCCASIONS
Hampton Bulletin.
Any town with a policeman should
not permit itself to be SO imposed
upon.
First the President landed marines
In China: now he is sending soldiers;
pretty soon he will wonder whether II
wouldn't be just as we'll to take a
slice of Chinese territory as indemnity
for something or other. Imperialism
and lust of territory grow by what
they feed on.-Culpeper Enterprise.
The slice of territory will be taken
to a certainty, If there is an excuse
that Will "go down" with the Ameri-
can people. That Is why the troops
are being sent. "Who will pull down
the flag?" Mr.. Wolcott has said, with
Mr.. McKinley's approval. that our
possessions" are to girdle the world.
The Salem Times-Reglster thinks
that Bryan and Daniel" would be a
winning ticket:
Bryan and Daniel would make an
Ideal ticket. and the combined per-
sonal strength of the two would
prove winner before the people"
The Bedford Bulletin explodes an
other historic myth:
In a description of Natural Bridge,
which we have recently seen published
in n number of Virginia newspapers. Is
this statement: High above the bed
of the stream are two initials cut deep
ly into the face of the rookie. W.
George Washington cut these when
but youthful surveyor of the wilder
ness long before he was known to
-fftrttte. Vow it is ttet 10 tse-supposed
that any Virginia editor has never
been TO Natural Bridge but If any
of them have ever seen the above men
l1 n a h.a n !,
the writer. and could probably find the
stump of the famous cherry tree with
the Ratchet sticking In 1t. OF course
the first thing we asked for on our
visit to the Bridge was George Wash
inSton's initials. The guide said he
was sorry. but some one had stolen
them before ne wac employed there"
What are the youths OF the next gen.
Grafton to do for tales with morals to
them? The Bulletin Will be telling us
next that there was 70 cherry tree, and
no Ratchet. If shat guide had known
his business he would rave seen to it
that the &c. w" was there all right
Gen. Simon Bolivar Buckner de-
clarcs he stands just where he did In
1896. If this be true, the political
policeman should order him to move
on. Several important things have
happened since that time.-Staunton
Spectator.
In the realm where dwells Gen.
Simon bolivar Buckner and his
doughty band nothing ever happens;
nothing need happen. There is merely
one grand ecstatic feast OF reason and
flow of soul. with nothing to do but
so a-fshingl
Speaking of the number of elections
that Virginians have on hand the
Farmville Herald observes:
The discharge of these public duties
should in no wise interfere with farm
ing. manufacturing. mining, selling
goods, lending money, practicing the
professions. or preaching the gospel.
and these private engagements should
in no wise interrupt the performances
of the public. Know all your duty
and do It,"
That's where the Yankees have al
ways beaten us. They never let poll
tics interfere with business. and yet
they manage to vote once or twice a,
every election.