The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-07-13
MANN AGAINST
REFERENDUM
I Governors Language Construed
to Bear on Virginia Anti
Saloon Program.
FREDERICKSRTPc

FREDERICKSBURG VA.-Special.-
I yesterday this ancient city covered
ltseIf with glory, when the formal cor
nerstone laying for the new normal
and industrial college was laid with
imposing ceremonies. The military
was out, there were bands Of music
there were civic and patriotic socie-
ties, there were the Governor and bis
cOlonels i'm full regalia. and there
were visitors to the city by the ssS on
Sands II was a great day for the
city. There were a number Of speech
es, the principal being by the Cover
nor, ana while he did not once men,
uon the subject of liquor, his ad-
dress touched on the matter OF the
referendum as recently proposed bv
the Anti-SaloOn League, that being
the common acceptatiOn OF the LAM
Suage he used. on this phase of the
matter the Governor said:
one hundred and thirty-five years
ago the colonies declared their inde-
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
| than in any other; a country which
mas opened it's 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 neces-
sity grows out of the wonderful pro-
SresS we have made and the wonder
ful wealth we have been able to ac-
cumulate-a wealth which is at the
same time our glory and our menace
IL is not the part OF wisdom to ignore
these problems or to postpone their
solution, nor is il wise to resort ia
methods which do not strike at the
root Of the evil.
II representative government does
not meet the needs Of the coun-
try. IL is not because there is fault in
the system, but in its execution. II
good men are selected to represent
the people in State Legislatures and
congress; If good, pure men are Sc
Iected to act as judges and construe
our laws; If men of high character
ana eminent fitness are made our ex-
ecuuNe onicerS, laws will be made
for the good of the people. will be
construed by the courts to effectuate
the purposes for which they were
enacted, and will be so executed that
peace, good order. happiness and pro-
gress will distinguish our country 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 II that official life should be a
mark OF moral as well as intellectual
distinction. There should be no dodg-
ing OF the question. no resort to
doubtful eNpedients, but stern resolve
that our representatives and officers
snail measure up to a high standard
Of efficiency.
I believe we have little to COM
plain OF in Virginia; I know Of no
graft in the official life of the State:
L know OF no spot upon it's judicial
ermine; l believe the officers. Iegisla-
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 l have said are not therefore
words of reprOach, but are intended
as stimulus and incentive TO higher
Ideals, better laws. and a more faith
tul 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 countrys one
hundred and thirty-fifth anniversary
we are permitted TO gather in the
historic city of Fredericksburg TO Law
the cornerstone of the administration
building of 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, TO whose wisdom
and efforts the people of Virginia are
indebted for an institution having for
its object the higher education of
their daughters"