Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1909-10-08

cultural College at Blacksburg; create,
an experimental farm for tobacco ant
the trucking interests; employed scien
tlhc Instructors TO go all over the Stat,
and lecture to the farmers free, and dis
tribute all over the State splendid lit
eratUre on scientific farming. 1t ha
made agriculture part of the cours,
taught IN the public schools; has created
an agricultural school in each congress
sional district. At the request of tn,
dairymen of the State it has caused {
department of dairy inspection to devel
op the great industry and find suitabl,
markets for disposal of the product.
Aid to Labor.
Governor Swanson next discussed tn,
generous assistance extended by the
Democratic party in behalf of labor anc
the workingmen of the State. He sale
that the Democratic party has created
department of labor to examine int
conditions of the working classes; make
suggestionsfor legislation in thier behalf
and to settle, when possible, all labor
disputes; to inspect and ascertain al
violations of the laws in behalf of labor
and to do everything possible for its
uplift. The Democratic party passed
the child labor bill, which prohibits the
employment of children under the age
of fourteen years in factories or mer.
camille establishments, and specifies
that the hours of labor shall not be
more than ten hours. 1t passed a law
preventing discharged employees from
being backlisted; a law compelling
street car companies to provide vesti-
bule fronts for the comfort and protec-
tion of motormen; law compelling the
employers of female labor to provide
suitable and comfortable seats; law
regulating plumbing inspection in the
cities, to the benefit of workingmen
and the general improvement of public
health; it has passed law protecting
trademarks, which has been especially
beneficial to trades unions; it has passed
a law requiring sanitary conditions to
be furnished for the protection of the
health of labor, 1t passed the employ
ers' liability bill, which gives reason
able protection to workingmen from ac-
cidents caused by dereliction of fellow
servants.
Confederate.
Governor Swanson next discussed the
generous aid that the Democratic par
ty has extended to the disabled Con-
federate soldiers, their wives and chill
dren. He said that the last Legisla-
ture dominated by the Republican par
ty had appropriated S246 to aid the Con-
federate soldiers, and that the last
General Assembly of Virginia, domina-
ted by the Democratic party, had ap-
propriated Sf72, 600 to aid the Confed-
crate soldiers. Since the Democratic
party has been in power it has given
81, S42, GAG 3S for the aid of the Confed-
crate soldiers and for the building and
operation of the Soldiers Home at Rich
mond. He showed the striking con-
trast between the parsimony of the
Republican party in Virginia in behalf
OF the Confederate Veterans to that
aid extended by the Democratic party.
other Policies.
Governor Swanson next discussed the
many other progressive policies inaugu-
rated by the Democratic party in the
State.
He showed that the health department
which has been created and provided
with ample funds, ard which was well or
ganized. has proven one of the most eff.
cient in the United States. This depart
ment looks after the health of the school
children, sees that the schoolhouses are
properly constructed and ventilated;
furnishes suggestions and information
as to the health of the school children
and their physical development. 1t is
equipped to study the inroads of new
and dangerous diseases, and to see that
the State is protected from inferior and
foods. 1t tries to prevent
the pollution of our waterways, and
compels the railroad authorities and
those in charge of public places to fur
nish pure water to the public. 1t is
equipped to fight tuberculosis, and has
tuberculosis colony, where
it can receive at the lowest cost those
suffering with this most dreaded disease
and give them the most scientific and
modern treatment. 1t has created a
department of bacteriology, with most
thorough and scientific equipment,
where all physicians Of the State can
have tests made free of cost, in order
tt ascertain whether persons are suf-
fering with tuberculosis, typhoid fever
or other germ diseases.
An epileptic colony has been created,
with little cost to the State, to segre-
gate the insane and the epileptics
An insurance bureau has been crea-
ted, without cost to the State, but run
by assessments upon the insurance
companies. to prevent fraudulent COM
panies doing business in this State,
IN order to protect the insuring public.
and also to prosecute incendiaries.
A corporation commission has beer
created. which requires State banks to
make quarterly reports and to prose.
cute all officials who make false re-
ports. 1t compels all railroads to make
connection for the convenience o.
the travelling public; to locate de
pots where needed, to make then
commodious and suitable; to classif,
and regulate freight rates within tn,