The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-07-05
Strong Defense OF Representa-
tive Government by Gov
ernor Mann.
REGARDED AS SIGNIFICANT
Exercises in Connection With
Laying OF Cornerstone of New
Normal at Fredericksburg.
Especial to The Times-pispa tch.)


Fredericksburg, Va. July 4.-In view
over regarding the principles of initi-
alive and referendum, the address OF
Governor Mann here to-day, constitut-
ing a strong defense of representative
government. was regarded as signifi-
cant. The occasion was the laying of
the cornerstone of the administration
building of the new State Normal and
Industrial School for Women.
While not referred to by the Cover
nor. many of his hearers applied his
remarks to the proposed referendum
on the liquor traffic. which is being ad-
vocated by the Anti-Saloon League.
The Executive evidently prefers legis-
lation by the representatives of the
the people themselves The portion OF
was as follows:
Address by Governor Mnnn.
One hundred and thirty-five years
ago the colonies declared their indie
pendence of British rule and laid the
cornerstone of the greatest country
of the world-a country which is not
only rich. great and prosperous, but
one in which the power and opportu-
mites OF the individual are greater
thaa In any other; country which
has opened its doors TO the oppressed
of every nation and demonstrated the
great principle that all power is in
the people. That we have TO face
problems in government from time to
time is TO be expected and of necessity
grows out Of the wonderful progress
we have made and the wonderful
wealth we have been able to accumulate
"a wealth which is at the same time
our glory and our menace. 1t is not
the part OF wisdom TO ignore these
problems or to postpone their solution,
nor is IL wise to resort to methods
which do not strike at the root of the
evil
IF representative government does
not meet the needs of the country, II
IS not because there is fault in the sys-
tenn, hut in its execution. If good men
are selected to represent the people in
State Legislatures and Congress; II
good, pure men are selected to act as
judges and construe our laws; II men
of high character and eminent fitness
arc made our executive officers, laws
Will be made for the good of the peo-
pie, will he construed by the courts
TO effectuate the purposes for which
they were enacted. and will be SO exc
| cuted that peace good order. happiness
ana progress VIII distinguish our coun-
| try as one blessed OF God
| If these conditions do not exist,
the responsibility is on the people. The
power is theirs. and they should see
| to il that official life should be mark
of moral as we'll a 5 intellectual dis
| tinction. There should be no dodg-
| ing OF the question. no resort 10 doubt
! full expedients. but stern resolve
that our representatives. and officers
! shall measure up 10 a high standard of
| efficiency
Little to Complain OF.
| Il believe we have little to COM
plain of in Virginia; know of no
! graft in the official life OF the State;
know of no spot upon its judicial
| ermine; believe the officers legisla-
| tive, judicial and executive as a rule
are striving to meet the Responsible
ties placed upon them; that the State
| is making substantial progress in edu-
! cation industrial and manufacturing
/ pursuits, and in the advancement OF
( the great agricultural interests. and
what have said are not. therefore
words of reproach. but are Intended
as a stimulus and incentive to higher
: ideals. better laws. and a more faith
.ul and efficient administration of
them to the end that Virginia shall
set an example safe for the other
. states to follow, and vindicate repre-
! sentative government and the wisdom
/ of our fathers in establishing It,
surely we should congratulate our
selves that upon our conntry's one
hundred and th!rtyifth anniversary
we are permitted TO gather in the his
toric city OF Fredericksburg to lay
the cornerstone OF the administrator
building ~ a great normal school
While buildings are necessary. they
are the smallest essential in the Wis
ions and plans Of your able and eff
Gent representatives and those asso.
ciated with them. - whose wisdom ant
Efforts the people Of Virginia are in
debtcd for an institution having 70,
it's object the higher education Of
their daughters"
Red LETTER Day.
To-day was red letter day 70,
Frederickshurs. and especially for The
Fredericksburg State Normal and In.
dustrial School FOR Women.
The event of the day. which has
been looked forward to with so mucl
interest and for which there had beer
so much preparation. was the layint
Of the corner-stone OF the administra
ton building Of the school Visitor.
begun 10 arrive in the city Monday
and Monday nights regular steamer
ana a number Of special boats brough
many persons from along the lowe,
Rappahannock River many OF whom
were Masons. This mornings train
brought in many others from various
directions, and the country peopl.
came in from the surrounding coun
ties by vehicles. unt!l by noon a larg,
crowd was In the city.
fredericksburg Lodge. No 4. OF Ma
sons held a meeting Monday night
when was attended h. MANY ~ ~