The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-09

AND noise, 1t IS a ,rascdy though it
evoke laughter II IL dismays those
VINO hope for the perfect working of
the plan. the judicious will srieve even
while the unthinklns smile
The discreet critic will find many
"a few TO give him hope. Tho cvoIu-
,ionary principle is working In gov
crnmcnt ms. in all things else. and
with all It's Gibbs and flows the cur
rent is running higher and stronger
toward better things-toward Justice
and bencvolence.
That position of our citizenship that
holds Legislatures to be merely ncces-
gary evils 10 be endured perforcc for
a season. but. never applauded, will
rejoice that this one is passing into
history. Those who think that to do
we'll is to dn nothing Will praise every
act of omission and decry every for
ward step this present body has
taken. On the other hand. the pro-
Sressivc spirit OF the Virginia people.
of which there are some signs ON the
horizon. VIII mourn the fact that law
makers have not marched quite with
the advancing thought of the times
As the dramatic critic viii withhold
ms nnal judgment untll the full effect
OF the performance has been allowed
To take shape in retrospect SO one
who would correctly Judge this scs-
review 1t when the actors huve with
drawn and tn. tumult OF the nnal act
has subsidized. That the effects pro-
duced Will leave many Impressions
upon many minds cannot be doubted.
IT Is easier TO condemn than 10 com
mend. and 1t has long been the fashion
In certain quarters TO denouncc all
Legisintures with exception or reserve
is TO examine their work with care
and with discrimination, favor or
Hallcc cndeaTor to tabulate the good
and the bad work.
. For the nembers themeelye. il
must bring relief to know that a rest
awaits them. Nearly all of them have
iabored diligently in an effort to dis
charge at least some part OF their
duties in the brief period allotted to
them. During the. past two or three
weeks they have labored under ire
responsibility. Many may be haunyed
by fears Of mistakes made. of things
done that had better have been left
undonc. and Of omissions that should
viii be mingled in the minds of most
as they contemplate the general re
suit. Those who have been thwarted
in their cherished purposes will feel
tho sting OF disappointment which
cannot presently be healed. The mem
.bers who have been successful in even
n few of their worthy endeavors are
10 be CONGRATULATED for accomplishing
anything in the hampcriny conditions
with which they are forced ~ contend.
Best Of all. there have been firm
friendships formed. which time can
not destroy. Many who two short
months ago were strangers are now
united by bonds of almost brotherly
affection. These associations. growing
closer day by day. will seem swectcr
as regarded through the mists OF the
receding years. and will be like the
cherished memories that old men re-
liearse 10 those who are TO succeed
them. Many of the heartournings and
strained feelings OF this day. gendercd
by tho heat of debate and III the i'm
pact OF conflicting desires, will be
forgotten. and a larger charity Will in
vest these scenes with mcllower
glow as time goes on.
Perhaps many OF those who walk
out Of the Legislative halls tonight
will return thither two years hence.
Many. however. will not. The places
that have known them Will know them
no more Other assemblies Will be
similar. bur not the same Whether
well or Ill. the play VIII never be per-
formed 4 : this has heen. It's hours OF
active work are few. Then the cur
tain must fall the lights go out-and
farewell,