The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-06
.CALL0Ws GONE
FROM VIRGINIA
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enactment OF the bill to require all
executions to be done at the peniten-
tiary by electricity. Thus lie the gal
lows with It's ghastly accessories. abol-
iabed from Virginia soil. Its bungllng
use by Inexperienced and agitated off,
GERS here and there In the State has
done much to preclpitatc this already
belatcd reform. In this matter, at
least, the Legislature has earned the
thanks, not only Of the communities
which might be afflicted with these
horrors, but of the whole state, which
would have been obliged to shudder
al tliem-at the horrors, not at the
Legislature.
The school superiritendents' bill, too,
Is Il measure of great merit. 1t looks
to tho eventual consolidation of the
smaller school districts. to the better
compensation of superintendent and to
securing better service from them
The fact that some of the present
superinten6snts are Inefficient; that
others are engrossed in other business,
especially the business of politics, has
been reproach and serious damage
to the school system. The time when
merit rather than pull, will secure and
retain these positions will be happy
time Ior the public welfare.
Drive Out Bucket-Shops.
The House yesterday did good
thing in passing the bill to prohibit
bucket-sliops. That is a field in which
the anti-gambling crusader may en-
pioy his energies better than in an ef-
FORT to break up the playing OF domi-
noes for cigars or the throwing of dice
for sodawater The bucket-shops may
not be any worse than the stock ex-
chanSe.ebut II is Il species of seductive
and destructive gambling which makes
legitimate business seem bore and
honest labor a waste of time Nine
tenths of stock transactions through
these media are in no sense business
transactions, but mere wayers upon
The fortuitous rise and fall OF
prices. The bucket-shop has been
run out of the District of Columbia,
and other places, and Is seeking
refuge on Virginia soil.
1t should be required to move on.
The day In the Senate was devoted
chiefly to the consideration of the APP
preparation bill. Naturally discuss
sions involving mere money are likely
10 be monotonous. Now and then, how
ever, something of really human inter
est becomes involved, and there is a
flash OF intense interest. The effort of
the Senator from Caroline TO
secure an appropriation for ten
agricultural experimental stations
was urged with such eloquence
and force that there was but one ma
jority against the proposition. AS an
Independent measure 1t would have
won, and may still win. Ceres has
never yet received her full share of the
public revenues. and though she works
hardest, bears the greatest burdens and
feeds the rest of the people, she is
poor and neglected.
Help Poor Students.
Another advance was made when the
Senator from Amherst secured the es-
tablishment OF loan funds at the sew
eral educational institutions of the
State for poor and deserving students
The amount to be set aside is / per
cent. OF the several sums appropriated
To the various institutions, and in adj
dition thereto. The plan has worked
we'll in other States and is in line
with Jefferson's plan of free education
of the highest kind 10 poor students OF
especial genius.
There was much warfare over the
various amendments To the bin, but
the sturdy chairman of the Finance
Committee continued to urge caution
and economy. In the main his views
prevailed. notably in reference to the
new norman SCiIool at IiaFlisohbuiB--
provided II be established there.
Fredericksburg has challenged the
Rockingham metropolis to a fight to
the death on the floor of the House
to-day at noon. 1t will be lively
battle. and the burg that wins must
expect TO wear scars.
The Board of Health bill, which is
also designed to prevent and cure
tuberculosis. is special order in the
IN en-
full, the great white plague will have
received d blow. This disease which
is both preventable and durable. is yet
the most deadly of all. and RACES over
the State with little check or him