The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-10
Greetings to the Lawmakers.

Greetings to the Lawmakers.
The General Assembly of Virginia will
meet to-day in the new Capitol building.
and the members will have comfortable
and sanitary quarters. They are to be
congratulated upon this notable improve
ment The rooms in which the members
sat in bygone days were wretched III
point of ventilation-so bad, indeed, that
many valuable citizen of this State
was needlessly sacrificed. The new
rooms are delightful in every respect,
and this session of the General Assembly
in that matter will be the most comfort
able session ever held in the Capitol
building.
This viii be one of the most interesting
sessions of the General Assembly in the
history of the State 1t meets in the
new Capitol after the new Constitution
has been in effect long enough to test
its practical operation. It will have one
message from the retiring Governor and
another message from the incoming Cow
ernor. and it will have. a number of pub
lie questions of profound Importance to
consider. There is public demand for
improvements in the public school sys-
tenn which implies larger appropriations.
There is public demand for practical
method of working the roads. and If we
do not mistake public sentiment. the
demand is for n State highway commits
sion and II system which will provide for
thorough cooperation between the state
and the counties in this important work.
Next to these. in our view, the question
Of most Importance to be considered Is
the Torrens Land Registry system, which
has been tried in other States and proven
to be eminently successful. We sincerely
hope that the General Assembly WILL
after mature deliberation, see its way
10 give to the people the benefit of this
modern system of registering titles. The
members will not be asked to vote for
measured which,. may make this system
compulsory, hut for a measure which will
give the land owners the opportunity of
taking advantage of the system If they
so desire
Hon. Eugene C. Masse, delegate from
Richmond has made this aAsubject Of
the most careful research, and the more
he has studied it the more convinced
he has become of It's efficiency and de-
STABILITY ms Virginia institution. Mr..
Massie has been SO persistent in his eff
fort TO establish the Torrens system
seH!sh motive in view. 1t Is not true
ldr. Massic has no interest other than
that OF q good citizen, and he expects
10 derive no benefit whatsoever save the
benefit which viii DO open TO every land
owner. Ills laoors in this direction have
been in the nature of an unselhsh, pa
triotic service Eugene Massie is above
suspicion.
Another question which will demand at
ienton Will be certain amendments to
been in operation for years, and so far as
VIC can ascertain, 1t is supported by the
beg: and dominant sentiment OF the
State ills a law which the people want
otherwise there would be a clamor for
It's repeal. That being the case, the law
should bo so amended as 10 make It
effective; 10 make 1t serve its purpose
ana TO prevent evascns. Ne understand
that the temperance element viii ask
for no amendments other than such as
snc3 be needed TO break up the fake dis
lilleiies In the rural districts, which are
nothing more than farmhouse bar-rooms
IA disguise and TO break up tho fake
aoc.al clubs IN tho cities, which are the
worse forms OF bar-rooms and gambling
iiayses. and which nre used as a means
% evading the Sunday liquor law and
tbs law against gaming In public places.
In tho interest OF public morals, In the
Interest OF law and order In tho interss,
or common humanity, these amendments
70 The law should be adopted, and they
should be framed In such language as ia
admit Of no evasion
There is also a demand FOR a iegalized
Ii.tmnry plan. and mGabers may well
consider II 1t be not good public polio,
70 provide Tor paying the cost OF suel
elections ous-or tho general fund OF tn,
State.
There are other matters Ut imDor,auc