The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-02-19


IN most priceless work OF art IN Amer
Eica-IIoudonts statue of 5lNash,HssssoD
need scarcely recite the interesting las19
with reference to this memorial. by
E Ioint resolution Of our General 4AsSeaiio =.
Patrick Henry, then Governor u :. .l.s'
{ Commonwealth, was directed 70 procure procure
+. a suitable statue OF W asilAns Noli' ,.s -
#1-irerinia for her illustrious son. Calling
Ia his :.,tI Mr.. jefferson, then minister 10
the court of France, tbs latter secured
& The services of the eminent French SOUP
tor &I5oudon. This great ardst, IN oroer
/ the better to TT himself for the work,
f q. me sto America and spent several weeks
~ Mount Vernon. There he had not only
the opportunity of seeing and studying
the face and form of the illustrious sub
ieet OF his work, but he made plaster
f.asts of Washington's face, head, Shout
der:s and other parts OF his body me
statue, therefore, is as no other eXtant.
a reproduction in marble of the Father or
his Ccantry. Mr.. Madison prepared tina
inscription upon the base of the monu-
ment, so singular in it's felicity and ap-
propriateness. MI these circumstances
combined lend to the statue It's unique
value and interest.
virginia's honor is pledged to guard
Will. the utmost solicitude this great me-
mortal which the patriotism of Our fath.
ers bequeathed to US. Time and again
the Capitol has been on fire and Its de-
struction threatened. With ample means
at our disposal let us without delay ODD
vfate this danger by rendering the build
ing fire-proof.
Third-A generous appropriation should
be made to enable the State to provide
a cceditable exhibit of our achievements
and resources at the Worlds Fair anu
Exposition. soon to be held at st. Louis.
The acquisition of the immense terri
tory embraced In the Louisiana Purchase
is the event to be concentrated. Sure
ly Jefferscn's mother State should Dear
conspicuous part III such q celebration.
But the considerations which impel Viz
ginia to make a worthy exhibit or ner
resources are practical as we'll as senti-
mental. Every progressive State In the
Union will be there showing Of their best
to attract the capital, energy and lndus
try Of the world. Virginia's deplorable
part in the Expositions at Philadelphia
and Chicago should avail to prevent
like humiliation at st. Louis.
The trophies of our achievements ana
the evidences of our wealth should be
| marshalled for the inspection of the
world. Not relics and trinl1,ts suggestive
Of past glories, but the products OF our
farms. factories and furnaces: exhibits
which attest our wealth in climate. for
est, soil and sea. Reliable data, too'
should be collected and furnished as to
our schools, churches, transportation Ia
clities and all like conditions which in
huence intelligent emiSrants seeking new
homes and opportunities to better their
conditions. The absence of such an eN-
hibit will be attributed to one of two
causes, our Indifference or our poverty
Either impression would be alike hun1il-
iatng to our people and disastrous to our
interests.
Virginia herself proposes soon to COM
memorate the tcr-centenary of the set
tiement at jamestown. With what grace
can we expect our sister States to join
with us If we bear no part in the great
| occasions in which they feel and evince
the profoundest interest? Our Depart
ment Of Agriculture, aided by necessary
assistants, should be charged with this
work The exhibits collected should form
the nucleus Of a permanent exhibition
Of our resources to be maintained at Rich
mond for the encourag ement of emisra-
tion capital and enterprise to our Dor
ders.
Fourth-The recent destruction by fire
of portion Of the buildings o2the East
ern Hospital and the conditions previous
ly existing necessitate the expenditure Of
large sums to provide accommodation
for the insane Of the State.
The imperative character OF this de-
| 1i.anJ upon our treasury is SO manifest
that no argument is necessary to demon
strate the fact.
Fifth-LarSer appropriations to the pen
sion fund is demanded by public senti-
rient and required to meet the growing
wants of our aged veterans.
The obligation upon the Commonwealth
to provide for these veterans in their de-
Cliniug years is one which Virginia Will
surely meet and discharge.
The foregoing demands upon our State
Treasury can be provided for out of the
present surplus There are others, how
ever, which will constitute continuing
charges and whose Importance IS as great.
If not greater, than the ODllGauOuS De-
fore enumerated.
First and foremost in this category
place the public free schools of the State.
1t is surrey not necessary to urge the
pressing need for larger State appropria-
lions to this great cause. The simple fact
that in many portions of the Common
wealth the public schools are not opened
for a period of over five months in the
year demonstrates the need.
Consider for moment what this sim
pie fact must mean, not only in retard-
ing e~education Of the young, but as
effecting the efficiency OF the corps of
teachers. What class OF men and women
can afford to devote their life to prepa-
ra ton for calling. employment In which
can only be expected for five months oft
Of twelve? It is no matter of surprise
that in large numbers of our schools the
aIl-important post Of teacher is filled by
Dung men and women who accept the
place as a mere makeshift. looking for
ward, not to making the vocation their
lifetime work, but to the attainment of
some other and more lucrative employ
nlent. When to the short session is super
added the small salaries paid the
teachers. the poor character of the school
buildings, the absence in large measure
OF proper furniture and fixtures, the in
efficiency of the system need not occa-
sion any wonder. The mystery is that
such good results have been achieved
from such poverty of resources.
I am confident that the officials at the
head of our school system in Virginia
are consecrated to the great work which
they have in hand, but it would be de-
mand "for bricks without straw to ex-
pect he character of schools which our
conditions SO fmperativey require with