The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-03-27
VIRGINIA IS HELD
IN BONDS OF HABIT
Speaker Byrd Says People Will
Get Just the Government
They Deserve.
cRITIclzEs STATE SENATE
Business Men Discuss Nonvoters
Among People of City
and State.

Virginia is not corrupt: but she is
controlled by habit and tradition prob
ably more than any other State In the
Union. 1t Will take time and effort
to break through this crust of custom
And the reform must come from the
inside not from the outside. for in the
long run any people will get exactly
the government which by their intelli-
gcncc and their morality they de-
serve
This is the way Richard Evelyn
Byrd In a speech at the business mems
luncheon yesterday. summed up the
political situation in Richmond and
suited from the persistent failure Of
cltizens to exercise their right of suf-
fragc. He said the whole attitude of
the people toward politics is wrong
DcplOrabIc Indifference.
Many of our best young men speak
with contempt OF politics and of every
one connected with it. They draw their
virtuous skirts about them and with
draw from 1t as dirty and crooked
thing. And large part of this In
difference and contempt is doubtless
due to the attitude OF the older men,
for some of our most influential bus
mess men, although they complain Of
the government, refuse to take any
part in it.
Government is n pyramid. with the
leaders at the top. and the lesser
leaders lower down. and the mass of
the voters at tho bottom. And govern
ment is popular and effective and
stable according to the size and
strength of this base without the
voters back of them the leaders can do
nothing
Rnps State Senate.
Mr.. Byrd was introduced by Chair
man John Stewart Bryan as a political
leader. many OF whose reforms have
been defeated by the Indifference of
the people of the State. Referring to
this. Mr.. Byrd said that he hoped never
TO see such another Senate elected as
the last one, which. he said. refused
to even consider the registration re-
form bill by which IT was hoped to
prevent the voting OF dead men.
The senate turned down every bit
of progressive legislation brought he
fore it. and turned It down with "A
sheer II will convene again in 1914,
and 1 do not believe that We have any
thing to hope from 1t. But If my in
tuence counts for anything the peo-
pie OF Virginia will hereafter demand
pledges from general assemblymen
which will insure the passage OF pro-
gressive legislation.
Periods of awakening come at
times to every people. and believe
lHdt sum an IL coming 10
the peope OF Virginia now. But we
should remember that only change
In the attitude Of tho people Themselves
will accomplish anything. and that in
the long run. the government will be
what they make It,"
Statistics were read BY Mr.. Bryan.
showing the proportion of employees
that are registered in various Rich
mond business firms. In factories and
shops, the number varied from - to
80 per cent. while In banks the pro-
portion OF voters is much larger.
Plan to Make Voters.
G. V. Meredith believed that this
should he changed by factory owners
requiring their employees to he regis
tered. and seeing that their poll taxes
were paid out OF their salaries.
He also pointed out that personal
effort must be at the bottom OF the az
fair. He said that every father should
teach his sons their civic duties. He
also urged the Importance of a poll
teal organization Of some sort among
business men. whore these subjects
could be discussed.
4 short address was made by Henry
W. Rountree. who said that the en-
plOyer could not very we'll bring any
influence to bear on the political activ-
tiles OF his employees without incur
ring the suspicion of seeking a per-
sonal advantage. He said educational
influence should come TO the working
man from without.