davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-19
CAPITAL pUNIsHMENT-AGAIN.

How far do some OF our good friends, crying
out against capital punishment. intend to go in
their consideration for criminals? 1t is argued
that the law has no right to take mans life,
given him by the Almighty, no matter what
his offense because life once taken, cannot be
restored. 1t could be argued with equal force,
sentiment and plaushity that the raw has no
right to take from a man the liberty, given him
by God and the government, and to use his
labor during all his lifetime without compensa-
ton. When man is sentenced to life imprison-
ment the law says he never shall be restored
to- liberty. If for any reason he evades the full
life sentence, by escape. pardon or revolution,
the law has been ineffective and the man does
not receive the punishment he deserves.
How far are we going? Are prisons to
become mere places of pleasant detention with
ell the comforts of home while moral suasion is
}plied and a surface or actual reformation
effected? Are we to take men who in the violence
OF their passion the stubbornness of their
pride rebel against the law and slay its officers
IN cold blood and reason with them gently until
they promise to do better and not to kill any
more of the servants of the State? Are we to
killed the householder defending his property,
the assassin who from malice or avarice stabs or
shoots his victim in the back, the wife muir
derer the man who catches little girl on
lonely road and overpowers her-are to take
oil these and deal with them softly and con-
siderately? If We go the theory that we
should take no vengeance we have no right to
punish anybody for anything II we act on the
theory that we have the right only to shut up
those who are dangerous to society, on that same
principle we have the right to take the life Of
the man who has proved himself to be menace
to the lives of others and make sure per
manently that he shall do no more harm.
! We must consider facts. One fact is that in
this part of the country custom and public
sentiment demand the death penalty for certain
crimes If the law refuses to infict that penalty
the people will inflict it; and we will have again
the CHASTITY courts of Judge Lynch, which at so
much cost and with much pains we have
abolished.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-19
THE CASE OF THE F1RE,rEN.

One Of the most impressive incidents OF the
time is4the presentation before the arbitration
commission O? the arguments Of the railway
aremen. Judging from the necessarily frag-
rnentary and condensed gltmpses Of the hearings
given through the newspapers. the men are
making a powerful case They are opposing
brains with brains very much better plan,
surely, than fighting police clubs and militia
bayonets with coupling pins and bricks. They
have spent thousands Of dollars from the strike
fund employing experts and stausticians instead
Of using the same money to support strikers
ard their families on half wages.
Before judgment can be formed the railway
managers must be heard. The use OF their best
intellect and deepest knowledge will be demanded
TIE representatives Of the fremen have delved
zar into the histories Of the roads Involved their
capitalization. profits, expenditures, dividends,
the capacities and requirements Of their locomo-
tive power. the proportions of their gains that
have gone TO the employees. The managers have
the unusual experience Of being confronted by
men. representing working men, as well informed
and as clever and ready with figures they
themselves It IS not unlikely that those who
speak for the 6remen know more Of the inside
conditions Of some roads and systems than the
managers and presidents
It is to be hoped that the argument for the
men will be put in condensed, connected form
and made accessible to the general public. 1t is
digniRed, able close appeal to thought, Prob
ably tho combined knowledge and ability of
the managers and their assistants will produce
strong reply, and this, too should be put in
such final, -epitomized shape that the public
may grasp ii readily. The discussion promises
to be great one worthy the close study Of all
who wish to understand not only the facts OF
these special issues but the philosophy Of the
present and future relations between capital
and labor and railways and their employees 81
far as we can recall the enquiry is the mos
exhaustive and comprehensive ever conducted
IL this country
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-19
PROPOSED INCOME TAX.

Reports from Washington say the minimum
income to be taxed under the new amendment
will be $4,000, and that at one per cent. This is
not severe and is not tax on thrift" as OPP
pouents of the measure complained that it would
be. Those who are fortunate as to earn, or
receive, $4,000 d year have no right of protest
against the requirement that they pay $50 toward
the support OF the government II the lower
tariff rates work out as the Democrats hope they
will the $4,000 year man Will be saved more
than the $50 on his household and family pur-
chases
AS incomes increase SO will the rate of tax
alton This IS on the principle that the more
d man gets the more he spare, We have in
this country many citizens with Incomes so great
that waste and extravaganza are necessary to
spend them. 1t is just that a fair share Of their
surplus should so into the public treasury. This
is not socialism and not conhscation. 1t is tax
alton according to the principle universally
recognized and lopted In our daily dealings.
that those who have most should contribute most
Those who have obtained the greatest advantages
and benefits from stable and orderly government
and who require moro than others of the pro
lection OF the law for their possessions should
be required to pay most heavily.
The income tax, properly enforced and col
lected is the fairest that can be levied. 1t ap-
pears that the Democrats of congress will use it
moderately and conservatively, without purpose
t. pursue or prosecute wealth. but to demand
from wealth that it carry its proper proportion
Of the general load.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-19

clones and many ca1amities, as we'll as in large
measure the source of supply of our fuel and
our building materials. Intelligent forestry does
not mean that shall not timber fuel,
but that we shall not waste and abuse them by
reckless extravaganza and thoughtlessness.
Locally might make valuable use of Arbor
Day by agitating for community effort to
serve our valuable shade and ornamental trees
and shrubs and orcharl trees. BY sheer
neglect gradually letting the arboreal
beauty and charm of this city perish when by
intelligent and timely attention may con-
serve and preserve them. How many of our
shade trees that line the streets well those
private premises being allowed to reach
a stage of advanced decay that spells inevitable
destruction unless arrested by prompt and eff
feetive measures And how rarely do
decadent or destroyed tree replaced by a newly
planted one! Other cities have tree nurseries
from which the young trees can be secured;
why not DanvilIe? Let's make Arbor Day
mean something to Danville and let's begin this
year on March 28th.--Danviile Bee.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-19
WOMAN'S AFFINITY
GOES To PIECES
CENTRAL FIGURE IN BOSSER.
MAN SENSATION SUFFERS
BREAKDOWN IN JAIL.

STAUNTON. VA, March 1s.-sick-
ness and worry yesterday resulted in
the breakdown OF Albert D. Worth,
the man who did the shooting in the
Bosserman sensation. Giving COM
pletely away under the double strain
imposed by tortured mind and body.
the alleged affinity acted for a time
as IL he might be insane. Crying aloud
that he was suffering fearful agony
and threatening 10 end his life If the
pain were not relieved the man struck
his head against the bars of his cell
as If suddenly he had gone mad. Two
doctors examined him. DR.. Nj j.
Payne, the jail physician, declared
that there was nothing wiring with
his mind. Some seemed to think that
Worth was bluffsng, possibly in the
hope that he might create the sym
pathy which SO far has been almost
altogether lacking.
Judge ker has fixed upon Tuesday
March 25th, for the trial OF Mrs Clara
Rowzee Bosserman, charged with be-
ing an accessory to the shooting of
her husband. Luther B. Bosserman. by
A D. Worth, The trial of Worth, on
request of his counsel. Charles Curry.
" ehS PoStppAiSd uittai bAC ApEit term
OF court.
Both Worth and Mrs. Bosserman
are still in Jail. the former held in
the sum of $4,000 bail. and the lat
ter. $1,000. Efforts to secure bail
for either were futile.
Worth, IT is said. showed the first
signs of collapse on Sunday. While
indicating at times that he was wor-
ried, up until that day he had borne
the ordeal of imprisonment we'll While
Mrs. Nellie Rowan and Miss Halle
Rowzee were in the Jail to visit their
sister yesterday. Worth became vio-
lent 1t is Miss Halle Howzee with
whom Worth is supposed to have
been infatuated. The maiden, II is
said, was cold, and Worth went 10
Mrs. Bosserman TO ask her to plead
his suit.
Crying that he was suffering in
tense pain in his kidneys Worth
begged for relief The jail physician
thereupon was summoned and the
man was examined. At the Doctors
suggestion, Worth was removed from
the second floor to the third, and
placed In what Is best known as
"Spiller's Cage" this designation hav-
ing come about because of the fact
that the negro murderer was confined
therin during the period preceding his
execution on the gallows for the kill
ing of Lottie Rowe. On this same floor
Mrs. Bosserman is confined The two
cannot see each other, as the wo-
mans cage is a boxed up room with
one tiny window. Neither can they
communicate by speech unless they
shout.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-19
A Wholesome Warning.

North Carolina jury has Just decided that
hazing when resulting in the death OF the victim,
represents a crime against the peace and dig
nifty of society--this by convicting of man
slaughter four college students who in apply
ing the treatment to a freshman. brought about
fatal consequences. The punishment provided
four months imprtsonment-seems at first
glance by no means sufficient, but when IT is con-
sidered that no malice murderous Intent fea-
tured the distressing incident--that In spirit OF
merry prank only was the hazing perpetrated
and that death ensued as result of unforeseen &C
cident il may be that that the penalty was
about as drastic jury thought it could az
ford in good conscience and under the law and
instructions of the court And then, too, the
moral effect of the verdict of guilty so far as the
young prisoners concerned. constitute an al
together painful, If not the most painful degree
of humiliation that attaches to the outcome of
the trial.-Lynchburg News.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-19
Good Faith Questioned.

NORFOLK, VA, March 15.--Be-
cause an anonymous letter received
questions It's good faith In waging a
campaign against loan sharks, the
Norfolk Atf club issued a letter to vic
Tins yesterday assuring them 1t would
prosecute any corporation or individ-
ual in Norfolk that charges more than
the legal rate of interest.
The letter was read at luncheon
OF the club in the Fairfax hotel. This
statement by Eugene l. Graves. pres
ident Of the club, explains itself:
ITO Victims OF Loan Sharks:
The Norfolk Ad club received to-
day an anonymous communication In
which the loan shark campaign being
conducted by this club is branded ar
device TO secure business for a par
ticular loan company at the expense OF
other loan companies.
Ordinarily, an anonymous com
munication deserves no recognition.
but knowing to what extent reports OF
this kind may be circulated to further
mislead an already victimized public,
ii wishes to say that the Norfolk Ad
club started this campaign without
any suggestion from any lender or
money in recognition of nagrant
evil, the dupes of which are secured
through advertising.
IF any borrower Of money VIII
bring a case to our attention in which
more than the legal rate of interest
has been charged, whether 1t be by
corporation or individual, such case
will receive equal attention with those
against the loan shark.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-19
TWO CITIES PLAN
WAR ON SHARKS
SHORT TIME LOAN COMPANIES
TARGETS IN BRISTOL AND
in NORFOLK.

BRISTOL VA, March ls,-A
thorough investigation of the methods
of the loan sharks" operating in
Bristol may be brought about by the
appeal of a case from a magistrates
court of Bristol, Va. A writ of man
damus is being sought at the hands
OF Judge Kelly TO compel Magistrate
j. II. Dishner to give an appeal In +he
case of J. c. Bowling against whom
he rendered a Judgment last week.
Bowling, who Is a lahorer and has a
family of six children, borrowed 50
during August and September. 1912.
and although he had paid $40 he
was sued for Sill, The suit was
brought in the name of one III NJ
Weiss which led To & disclosure Of
the methods employed. Bowling was
charged s1.s5- per month interest on
the 50 loan and each month the loan
would be changed in favor of a diff
ferent party. He first signed an ap-
plication TO the National Loan com
pany, a concern operated by Fl. i.
Simon. for a loan of 50 from one II.
VI. Weiss whom Simon testified at the
hearing was a gentleman living in
Mississippi" AT the expiration OF thir-
ty days the loan was made in favor
of Ida Simon, the wife OF H J. Simon.
Then IL WAS changed back 10 Weiss
and each thirty days Bowling was
taxed with sl.S5 interest.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-19
PEOPLES FORUM
The Hen, Once More.

Editor of The Virgnian:
Str,-"M. V. s." writing In your issue OF
March 18th about the hen. calls to mind a witty
saying of a woman the writer heard speak some
years ago. Perhaps it is to some of your
readers and may be worth passing along. In
the course of her remarks and pleading for the
greater prominence of women. she said: You
have heard it said that
I" A whistling woman and a Growing hen
Always come to some bad end
but I want TO remind you that here is another
very expressive couplet:
Women that whistle and hens that crow
Make things move wherever they CO.
We leave the reader TO judge as to the merits
or dement's of woman suffrage and like ques-
tions but think that all will agree 10 the abso-
lutte correctness of the statement in the second
couplet And we do not say this in any spirit
OF petty meanness.
SELDOM.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-19
YOUR PRESENCE NEEDED TONIGHT.


A mass meeting Of the men of the different
churches and Sunday schools Of Richmond, which
will be held tonight at the Grace-Street Pres
byterian church, Is chiefly for the purpose Of
perfecting plans for a Bible conference TO be
held in Richmond in April, but it should attract
others than those greatly interested in the CON
ference It should attract every man in the city
who is interested in the Bible, and that should
be all of us.
This meeting tonight is of great Importance
to the religious life Of the city. No man who
appreciates the value of Bible instruction and
Bible reading should let anything other than the
most pressing business engagement keep him
away. No member OF any Bible class in the
city can justify his absence except on the best
Of excuses. His presence is needed and he should
bo there
The coming Bible conference will be of great
value TO the community. The Virginidn takes
occasion TO urge that all interested in it and
all who approve of its purposes be present to-
night to take part in the deliberations. or, at
least, to lend their moral support to the meet
ing and the cause which inspires it.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-19

In the appointment of Hiram Smith as as.
sistant district attorney Attorney General Nc
REYNOLDS has made no mistake. He has secured
an able young lawyer, who viii attend to the
duties of the Office and is able to perform them
in able manner, Those who know Hiram Smith
ere satisfied that the interests of the government
viii not suffer while he is administering the
affairs Of the Office.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-19

1t is announced that Colonel Alfred B. Will
liams, editor of the Roanoke Times and the Roa-
noke News, both daily will soon become con-
trbuting editor Of the Richmond Virginfan.
No pent up JNca can contain the editorial
activities of Colonel Williams and it is fortunate
for The Richmond Nrginian that this s true
Editor williams is the large part of a news
paper within himself and his fluent forceful and
funny writings are we'll worth the entire price of
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. News Times Herald.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-19
With the State Press


Governor Mann has set apart March 2Sth
as Arhor Day and has issued a proclamation call
ing upon the people of the State to observe 1t
by planting a tree. The day is as yet hardly
more than a mere meaningless name. but the
time is fast coming when tree planting will be-
come an economic necessity. Certainly the OBJ
servance of such day should be utilized for
disseminating warning against waste of
forest wealth by the reckless denudation of our
arboreal areas and the conservation of our in
valuable forest interests. The forests our
effective barriers against foods hurricanes, cy-
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-19
ENDORSE w. III. wERTH
For DISTRICT ATTORNEY

TAZEwELL4 VA, March 1s.--In-
formation reached here that at n
meeting OF the Smyth county bar
held at Marion late Saturday even
ing. Hon. VIM. Fl. Werth, of Tazewel.
was unanimously endorsed for appoint
ment as district attorney for the
Western district of Virginia.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-19

FREDERICKSBURG, VA, March IS.
The February term of the Spotsyi-
vania County Circuit court. which ad-
journed Saturday. was one of the
longest for many years, having been
in session since February Sd. F. l..
Hargrove and Nelson " Carter were
convicted of first degree murder and
received death sentence. The criminal
docket is now clear.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-19
SCHOOL LEAGUE ERECTs.
NEW FRAME BUILDING

MICA. VA. March 1s.-A splendid
frame house is being erected AZ the
Liberty Graded school by the School
and Civic Improvement league. The
league also expects TO inclose the
school grounds with a wire fence, after
which some steps will be taken TO
improve them.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-19
The Real System
LsslIe,s WeekIy tells DIS storv:

Lsslie's Weekly tells this story;
What A hootblack found in New York
with seven shares Of Standard Oil stock
worth IS, 600 bought and paid for out of his
humble earniugsi Get out the gallows at
once and hang him as high as Hannah. And
this bootblack says that anybody can do it.
He used to shine the shoes of the Rookie
felers in the Standard Oil Building He
came to the conclusion that If John d.
Rockefeller could put his money in Standard
Oil stock it would be a good investment for
a bootblack SO he purchased share after
share as fast as his SAVINGS ACCUMU-
LATED. and thus made himself partner of
the Rockefelers. When the boothlack put
ND his shares in court security for a
friend in trouble the truth leaked out
While YOU are saving YOUR earnings
for investment, the
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-19
Adiourux Augusta Court.

STANTON. VA. March I8.--Judge
Holt will today adjourn Circuit court
to Warm Springs to hold Circuit court
in Bath county for Judge Anderson.
who is i'll. Only settlement with
juries and similar routine called for
attention at the session yesterday.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-19

HARRISoNBURG. VA. March IS
Judge G. G. Grattan is Ill in a New
Orleans hospital. where he underwent
a minor operation a day or two ago.
Judge and Mrs. Grattan and daughter,
Miss Mary. were touring the South,
when he was stricken. For years ha
was Judge of the old County court in
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-19

New Jersey and Maryland need not feel too
rluch pulled UP over the interest in their al
fairs shown by the president OF the United States
II lie because they need correction that Presi-
dent Wilson is keeping an eye upon them
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-19
Revival Mt Charlottesville.

Revival at Charlottesville.
CHARLOTTESVILLE VA, March u.
DIR. Furman II. Martin, pastor OF the
First Baptist church, announces that
a series OF revival services Will begin
in the church on Sunday. April 9th.
The pastor will be assisted by Rev.
w. A. Ayres. of Lynchburg.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-19

Joe Tunulty can wear the green with a straight
tbs private secretary has never forgot his Irish
blood for the simple reason that he is an Irish
man.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-19

If THE wearin O the green had been the
extent of the celebration Of st. Patrick's day
there would have been no dark brown taste to
follow. NJ
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-19
So is murder .

Capital punishment is relic of barbarism-
Rev. J. J. Wicker.
So is murder,
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-19
Secretary Williams
Fine Omcials.

Few men have been called into the public
service since March 4th whose appointment
gives more general satisfaction than that of John
shelton williams to be assistant secretary of the
treasury.
The selection of William G. McAdoo for the
treasury portfolio splendid one. and the
addition of Mr.. Williams to that department
gives assurance OF strong combination of able
men in this most important department.
Mr.. McAdoo resigned the presidency of the
Hudson and Manhattan railroad to become the
secretary of the treasury, and doubtless Mr.
williams will also make some sacrifices in order
to devote his time to the public service. These
are certainly two appointments that were made
purely to merit, and the administration will
profit by their connection with it.
Mr.. Williams is man of sterling character.
a clean-cut straight forward of wonderful
energy and unimpeachable integrity. His active
life has been devoted to the study of financial
matters, and few better equipped to
render good service from every standpoint than
John Shelton Williams-Norfolk Ledge-Ds
patch
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-19
Mr.. John SHELTON williams.


John Shelton williams has long ago recognized
as one of the strong, constructive factors in the
business life of the South. Just
call no man who by vigor of initiative and
breadth of conception and genuius of leader
ship and execution. has done more to revitalize
the business spirit of this section and rehab-
iiitate the stricken South of yesterday into its
magnificent industrial structure of today than
this son of Richmond. who has just been APP
pointed assistant secretary of the treasury, one
Of the most important and responsible posts
within the gift of the nation. Mr.. Williams is
snguarly well adapted to render the country
notable and valuable service in that petition
His experience and achievements in the world
of railroad enterprise: his successful ex-
perience with banking affairs; his deep
study of fiscal problems and broad grasp
upon public issues-considered in connection
with his unusually high order of intellectual at
tainments and his capacity to take hold of big
undertakings and afford them disposition on
definite satisfactory lines his high character and
patriotic purpose strongly vindicata the wis
dom of his selection to the office for which he
has Just been chosen. 1t is indeed gratifying
to know that the administration, and especial
ly the distinguished secretary of the treasury,
are to have the benefit of the wise counsel and
helpful cooperation OF Mr.. Williams. Virginia
is honored in the appointment; the nation is to
be congratulated, while to Mr.. Williams will be
extended the we'll wishes of thousands OF his
friends throughout the country.-Lynchburg
News.