The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-08-01

ment Is doing in the study and pre-
vention Of diseases. 1t is especially
equipped to fight consumption. and
the care and preservation of the
health OF school children.
| One of the striking features of the
administration of Swanson is the fact
| that before he was inaugurated Gov
! ernor Of Virginia rendered no aid
whatever to the public roads in the
way of State aid for improvement and
| construction. Following his recon-
mendations the State has entered into
broad and extensive policy OF State
aid towards the construction and i'm
| provement of the public roads. A
State highway department was Great
ed, equipped with capable engineers,
which department, free Of cost to the
local communities, will survey and
supervise the construction of high
ways. At his suggestion q law was
passed by which all Jail prisoners and
convicts sentenced for less than five
years are to be worked upon the pub
! lie roads. This has resulted In great
benefit to the State, as well as to the
prisoners themselves, 1t being well
known fact that the moral and ply
steal effect upon the prisoner has been
greatly in his favor. Under the
workings OF this beneficial law many
miles of road have been constructed
and are being constructed In Virginia
Lowered Railroad Rates.
During Governor Swanson's admin
istration like many of the other
governors in the United States, he
had conflict with the railroads in con-
nection with the passage of a two
cent passenger rate. lie handled the
matter firmly and fairly, inducing the
railroads to- comply with the order OF
the State corporation commission
until the matter should be decided by
the supreme court OF the United
States After the decision of the
supreme court the corporation COM
mission settled the matter with the
railroads compelling them to sell
tickets at 2 liz cents per mile in
stead OF cents. with mileage books at
2 cents per mile. The settlement OF
this matter under the administration
OF Governor Swanson was satisfac-
tory TO the railroads and to the peo-
pie.
The State geological survey was
created during his administration and
that board is now making scientI-
tic survey of the entire State to as
certain the extent OF her mineral
wealth. No survey OF the State has
ever been made before.
Under his administration the State
appropriated funds for the creation
Of a colony where epileptics may be
treated. apart from the insane
patients, and 1t is unnecessary to say
this Is but proper for the unfortunate
afflicted epileptic.
Big Factor AZ Exposition.
Soon after going into office Cover
nor Swanson conceived the idea Of
having the State we'll represented at
the great jamestown exposition. He
took special interest in this. 1t was
at his suggestion that all the mineral
and timber interests OF the State form
ed an association to make q great
timber and mineral exhibit, at this
exposition. When this exhibit was in
stalled 1t was said by all who at
tended the exposition to be one OF
the finest ever collected in the world.
This exhibit is now being installed in
the State library to be preserved by
Virginia.
Governor Swanson made 1t a special
duty to meet all governors who visited
the exposition and welcome them to
Virginia 1t Is well remembered by
the people OF this State what an effect
II had throughout the country and
how the Old Dominion was praised
for the able manner in which he
showed Virginia's hearty welcome.
AHEiG "a5 9k5o tECHlF0 curing MS
term a State board OF charities and
correction. This board is empowered
to inpect all jails. asylums. aims
houses, the penitentiary and other
corrective institutions In which the
State is interested IT Is the duty of
this board TO see that proper care is
taken of the unfortunate class DEEPEN
dent upon the State. and great good
has and is resulting from its work, |
The National Association OF Charities
and Corrections issued a bulletin last
Year stating that this was the best
organized and most efficient depart
ment OF any State in the Union.
Friend of Soldier and Labor.
Mr.. Swanson has always been !
staunch adnirer OF the Confederate
soldier and no man has paid the war
rior in gray higher tribute than he. /
Among the Confederate soldiers he
mas always been popular. because
OF his thorough understandings OF
their vicissitudes and his earnest fight
for the payment of pensions to them, /
increasing the pensions and reward !
ing them with the best the State could
give.
While governor he lent his best aid /
TO the bureau of labor and developed /
It TO a high state of perfection. BY the |
assistance and support he gave this |
bureau. and the selection OF the able |
and accomplished commissioner. !
James 3, Doherty. Mr.. Swanson de-
veloped the bureau until, IL has cap
tured several prizes at international |
expeditions. This bureau has regulat- /
ed labor conditions in Virginia until /
they are believed to be ideal Mr.. /
Swanson has friend in every labor |
ing man In the State and they all /
swear by him"
II can be said OF Claude A. Swan |
son that he has virginia's interests |
and the SoGth's interests deep at heart. 7
and he will leave no stone unturned |
TO bring to her the fullest measure |
OF success and prosperity. His pleas
ing disposition, his Arm determination !
and his energy Will place him in the |
forefront as a member OF the United |
States senate. and Virginia can but !
be proud that she has such a son to
represent her in that great delibera- /
tive body.