Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-03-12
Assemblies Excellent Record

a IL. in all. the General Assembly that adj
~ journcd last night made good record
for itself 1t has done some things with the
wisdom OF which this newspaper has dis
agreed. and il has left undonc other things
that large and influential elements of the
states population have advocated earnestly,
but it has accomplished much.
Most notable among its achievements is the
legislation carrying into effect the prohibition
amendment To the Constitution. For the
most part. that legislation is cXccllcnty de-
signed TO accomplish its purposes. and its
serious impcrfcctions. 10 which we have from
time TO time called attention. will reveal
themselves III practice. and may be cured AT
future sessions. \ prohibition law has been
framed and passed anu machinery for its
enforcement, provided. The people Of Nr-
sinia had demanded this change. and their
demand has been answered. 1t is for them
10 give obedience and support.
But the General Assembly did stop
with prohibition. II enacted measure of
compulsory education--as large a measure
perhaps. as the limitations Of the Consttu-
ton and Of the school funds now will admit
The start al any rate. has been made.
Existing school facilities Will be utilized fur
Their TO reduce llitcracy in Virginia. Expert
cnce thus Will pave the way for consttu-
tional amendment that will authorize real
compulsory education. and SO place Virginia
on an equality in this respect with other pro
Srcssive Commonwealth
The tax laws have been strengthened and
reformed, Especially TO he commended is
the measure increasing the powers OF tho
state Advisory Tax Board, which herca fter
viii have full supervision over the activities
OF the examiners of records Under this
legislation the scandal Of the last year. when
owners of intangiblcs were taxed 10 the limit
III Richmond and few other localities and
relieved of taxation elsewhere will he rem
mnpSSihlp he i'm
hertance tax. which has been imposed will
make substantial additions 10 the revenues OF
the State. That tax is both Just and
cXpedient.
An excellent law for the protection OF game
has been enacted. Nirgiuia's Indifference to
the preservation Of game birds particularly.
had been as unwise a. it had been repr"hensi-
BILE. Under the new law, game will have
chance o survive.
The cause of good roads received an added
impetus in the enactment of the measure
seGregating the revenue derived from auto
mobile licenses 10 road maintenance. prac-
tcally speaking, there is no such thing as a
permanent roadway. Every type Of con
s'rucion that is in use in this State. TO any
considerable extent. begins to detcriorate as
soon as II Is laid and used. Maintenance is
Il hXed necessity, and neglect means ruin and
the loss of all the money spent in construc-
ton While The Times Dispatch opposes tho
blanket appropriation OF special funds with
out particular regard to amount, this setting
asd" Of The automobile license receipts had
more justification than most OF its fellows
AZ The worst. it did provide money for main
t"nance. and that result is so desirable that
departure from sound method may be excused
These and other good works the l.ccislatu rn
mas To its credit. Ii il made mistakes they
should be forgotten forgiven in consdcra-
ton of so excellent record OF constructive
accomplishment.