The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-02-04
VIRGINIA LAWMAKERS AND
LAWS WHICH THEY PROPOSE

a hearing on the Gravatt bill pro-
yiding for appropriations with which
/ to equip the manual training. domes-
/ tic science and agricultural depart
ments of the State agricultural schools
was given the principals Of those in
situations by the Finance Committee
before the Senate convened Friday.
Speaking for all the schools, Pro-
lessor Hutchinson of the Frederick
County School. said $4,000 was need
cd by each of them to purchase the
necessary work benches. tools, stoves,
horses and farming implements. Two
thousand dollars are now appropri-
I ated for the pay of the two OF three
teachers In these new branches of in
| struction. The Gravatt bill raises this
to $4,000.
Professor Hutchinson declared the
pupils had taken to the new courses,
and the attendance had materially in
creased. The fathers and mothers
were greatly interested. and had do
mated many thousands of dollars for
the erection of substantial and roomy
buildings. and contributed several
score acres of land on which agri-
cultural demonstrations are to be
made
School. said: We have land worth
s100 an acre in Grayson county.
and But he got no further. for
every member Of the committee
shouted, Where? Where ?"
This spontaneous and unanimous
inquiry was made because In the de-
bate over the Fletcher hill on the
moor OF the Senate several days ago
senator Parsons accounted for the
tact that 9rayson county drew out
OF the State treasury instead OF con-
tribnting to 1t. on the ground that the
( land there was not productive or
: worth much money. Professor Spencer
was rigidly cross questioned on land
values IN Grayson, but could give but
Attle Information. Superintendent of
Schools Eggleston coming to his res
cue with the statement. Mr.. Spencer
~ an educator and not an assessor ="
SO far az this committee In con-
cerned, YOU gentlemen are in the
hands OF your friends" said Senator
! Keezell. But l would like to ask Mr..
| Spencer to educate those boys in
Grayson TO raise some revenue for the
State as well as good crops"
The first afternoon session In either
/ branch of the General Assembly was
I hefd in the Senate Thursday. The up-
( per house adjourned at 2:30 O'Clock
and met again at 4;30, continuing
business until O'Clock There was
only corporars guard present, but
/ Clerk Booker rendered valiant yoe-
| man service. and read fifty-iiye meas
ures which were calendared as on
/ their first reading since they were in
I troduced.
Senators Parks and Early engaged
In scrimmage over the former
an1-football bill. Senator Early
moved that the bill be passed by.
He is former stellar gridiron con-
stellation from the University OF Vir-
ginta, and rose to champion this
great game. Although Senator
! Parks eontended that the game was
a serious menace to life and limb,
he was estopped from point to SEN
ator Early as Exhibit A.
i am not testing about this bill, "
said the venerable Senator from Page
county, Il do want ii enacted into
law, so as TO prohibit the playing OF
this game, ] am in as dead earnest
about this bin as l ever was about
ANYTHING in my legislative experience
know of no measure more impor.
tant to the athletes, of none more i'm
porta4nt to the institutions of learn.
ing. 1t is important to the athletes
because 1t purposes to protect them
in life and limb from danger. 1t /,
important to the institutions because
the parents. the mothers and father.
are suffering in mind -continualI,
about their sons who play the game
| Under the rules at present in force
the game Is disgrace to civiliza
ton In the State. 1t Is not a drastic
measure, but just one.
They say they are going to amend
the rules of the game so as to Gu
out all the plays that result In dealt
and Disagreement. If they do, tina
. Is Well But / do not wish to della,
/. this bin, | am so impressed with tn,
importance OF Its becoming a law tina
/ believe / can convince Senator Earl,
that this Is a proper bill"
Senator Tucker. the silvery-hairet
Scion from Bedford, said that. de
spite his youth, he was in favor o
abolishing football He believes th'
game Is brutal. and he wanted Il
seriously consider the bill.
Senator Early said it was his inten
ton to appear before the COMMITTEES
before 1t reported the bill and inform
the members that right now the in
! ternationai rules committee Is work
ing earnestly to amend the regula
, tons of the same SO as to eliminate
the mass plays and other formation
: that have been found to result in sc
rious injury or worse. Senator Park
informed Mr.. Early that he had beer
given due notice that the committee
would consider the bill. and was ex
pected there.
In support of his motion to hav'
the bill passed by. Senator Early tried
to get the ayes and noes, but Their
were not sufficient Senators present
He could have easily raised pofn
of mo quorum" but did not resor
to this, as 1t would have stopped TIL,
reading of the many other measures
Senator Early will be prepared to OPP
pose the bill when II comes up fol
passage later
Having been recommitted to the Fl
nance Committee and having been lib
orally amended so an to suit all tastes
positive and negative, the Fletcher bill
will probably be doctored up so as Il
pass the Senate before many days
Senator Folkes declared Friday tina
as he had smoked OUT the Financ.
Committee and had II in the open.
he intended keeping after 1t until the
general appropriation bill was intro
Ill. III, L