Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-01-12

uncertainties are discoverable in the history
and application Of almost every criminal law
now on the statute books.
IL is likely that free-born American
citizens who make Il little easy money by
selling liquor without license will resent
the foreign Intervention that resulted in their
arrest by Officers Bcrtucci and Posenau
Legislatures Weighty Duties
n REAT public questions which affect init
NJ mately every citizen OF the Common
wealth. will be presented for the determine
ton of the General Assembly that convenes
to-day. First of all come questions of taxa
tion-the completion of the task success
fully and wisely begun at the special session
of last year Next in order of Importance is
legislation Interpreting and enforcing the
constitutional amendment establishing State
wide prohibition. and thus giving effect to the
Will Of the people, so unmista kably expressed
al the polls.
On both these subjects. it is understood the
General Assembly will receive to-day in his
message to the Senate and House of Delegates,
the matured advice of the Governor of the
State. Whatever the Governor says on these
themes will be worthy Of closest consideration.
That Virginia has committed itself to a sens-
Bile plan OF tax segregation is due az much to
Henry {. Stuart as to any other single infu-
ence. lie has therefore. special interest i'm
the success OF the experiment His counsels
should be needed.
As to prohibition. the Governor also is in
position TO speak with the voice Of authority
While he did not favor the establishment of
this policy universally over tho whole State
he yet has acauiesced. with other good
citizens, in the popular verdict II may be
taken as assured that he favors legislation
ntclligenty framed to make prohibition
effective, and, as the executive Of the State
he is charged with the duty of seeing to it
that the laws faithfully executed He
should know. and does know what new
powers are required.
But there are other questions that will
demand the legislatures attention. One Of
them is good roads. OF late there has been
some mistaken agitation in favor of stripping
the State Highway Commission Of the bulk
Of the authority and inin, = it now possesses
and turning the disbursement OF State funds.
over 10 tho county supervisors Unquestion-
ably, this movement is backed by some po-
hiical influence and gains strength from the
inevitable dissatisfaction Of some localities
with tho expenditures OF road funds Ii would
DC highly unfortunate. however, if it should
prevail
What the State really requires. if it's roads
are TO be placed on parity with those Of
other progressive commonwealth. is, not less
Capitalization of authority, but more. The
Highway Commission should be strengthened
and provided with larger funds although this
should be effected by direct appropriation
from the Treasury. rather than by the allot-
men' of particular tax receipts to particular
aspects Of the commissions work
The campaign OF road Improvement should
be carefully plotted in advance and deliber-
atey pursued. The object sought should be
that to which Maryland and other States have
committed themsc!ves-the establishment or
u real system of highways, traversing the
State north and south and east and west and
made accessible through adequate laterals to
the people living on either side. These high
ways and laterals should be built and main
tanned exclusively with State funds The
counties would have enough to do If they built
the feeders for the highways and principal
iaerals and kept them i'm good condition
This Is rather ambitious program. il is
true, and would Involve the expenditure OF a
good many million dollars Perhaps the State
just now may not be In a position TO under
take 1t. but il should be the goal of Virginia's
ambition. lii no other way are really good
roads likely to he obtained
The great heart of the American peoplc
should be sound. 1t has always been sound
New York World So is the speech of n 10,
Of American politicians.