The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-21
PRIMARY WILL BE
IN FRONT RANK
No Subject Before Legislature
From Now On Will Receive
More Consideration.
PLAN FOR EPILEPTIc COLONY
Separate Home for These Unfor-
turatcs Will Receive Earnest
Attention.

within the present week the General
Assembly will have its attention drown
more forcibly than ever to the question
OF primary elections in Virginia. and
from this time on the subject will be
one OF the most Important up for consid-
grafton.
The Machen bill, which provoked what
was. perhaps. tho most spectacular fight
In the last Legislature, will be offered
again tomorrow or Tuesday by the Alex
nndria senator, who has made a partial
canvass of the field and sees hope for
success, after Il struggle, which he is pre-
pairing to make with all carnestness The
bill, In the language OF its ptron, is de-
bills. In the language of its patron, is de-
chinery for use in primaries State, coun-
~ or city. 1t provides an elaborate sys-
tenn. obiterating partisan politics as far
rs possible from the polls, safe
guarding and insuring the secrecy Of the
ballot, and providing stringent regulations
designed to prevent frauds and to punish
frauds when committed. No primary cleo
ton can be held in any section without
due notice thereof having been given.
The State laws will apply to all primaries.
and the manner of preparing the ballots
and conducting the election in general
will be strictly regulated by statute.
Speaking OF this bill yesterday Senator
Afachen referred to the fight 1t provoked
before and declared that he was laying
the ground for hard battle for,it in the
present General Assembly. He has con-
suited with other members and will have
powerful support. The Thomas primary
bill, making the State defray the expenses
OF the election. is more radical than that
or Senator Machen's. The latter does not
change the law with reference to the ex-
penses. This matter, he said yesterday,
was one he would probably devote his
attention to at a later time. AT present
he is opposed to having the State defray
the entire expenses of primaries.
Printed circulars. giving few reasons
why Virginia should establish colony
for epileptics and why 1t should be sep
arated from the hospitals for the insane,
nave been distributed amongst the MEM
bers of both sides. The paper has the
endorsement of the General Board of Dr.
rctors of State Hospitals. 1t is signed by
j. w. Lane, Jr, Commissioner of State
Hospitals.
Among other things 1t Is stated in the
circular, which Is in the nature of an
expert. testimonial, that almost every
State In the State hospitals for the In
sane furnish an example of the failure
the same institution with the other in
sane. and II is declared TO be universal
ly recognized that this indiscriminate
commingling OF the two classes as is
the case at the Virginia institutions. Is
Injurious. for the two classes invariably
clash and react upon each other to the
detriment OF both. The Virginia hos
pitals for the white insane are said by
Commissioner Lane to be now crowded
TO their fullest capacity In consequence
OF which additional room Is absolutely
necessary. Admission Is being denied to
many applicants for lack OF room. At
these institutions there are about $50
epeptics in the wards with the other
patients. because no special provision
has been made for their separation.
In the opinion OF the commissioner
not less than 100000 should be appro-
priated ut once. The State should pro-
cure fertile. well-drafned tract of land
containing 500 to 1000 acres in the very
best agricultural section Of the State,
where there are ample transportation
facilities, and construct thereon sufficient
cottages to care for the epileptcs now
confined in tho hospitals thereby secur-
ing sufficient room at these hospitals for
all the insane that may be sent there for
the next three or four years.
Provision should also be made grad.
ually to trial the non-insane epileptics
scattered throughout the State The
buildings of the colony should be PLAIN
substantial and constructed in such a
manner as to facilitate the classical
tion of patients by grouping those OF
similar mental condition. The further
operation of the colony is explained by
Mr.. Lane In the following very inter
esting statement
'.At the colonies farming. fruit rails
ing. stock raising, gardening, and all
kinds of industries suitable for both
sexes are carried on by the patients,
which besides benefitting them physl-
cally goes far towards supporting them.
The work done by the patients at prop
erly conducted colony pays at least fifty
per cent of their maintenance.
"Children suffering from epilepsy and
who, on account of it, are kept from
school, could be taught in a school estao-.
lished at the colony, and, besides, could
be taught there various trades-thus pro.
vding means for the care, treatment and
training of such unfortunates. Some
would recover and return to their homes
to be useful. sef-supporting citizens:
many others would improve and assist
in making the colony self-sustaining;
many would be saved from insanity and
dementia; many would be kept from,
drifting into tho poor-houses, jais and
hospitals to be a charge upon the State.
There would also be at least some stay
in the propagation of their kind to fur
ther burden the family and the State"
a strong fight will be made In the Leg
islature for the establishment OF the colo