The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-09-04
monopolies, inimical to the public ~,

fare" s' ss y
This legislation passed the house pf
Delegates almost unanimously but
rallied of passage In the senate. Lest
we forget, am calling your attention
to messages which ! felt it my duty to
send bearing upon this vital subject at
that time. On February 37fh sent to
the general assembly Of 1915 the
following ncssage:f
I'm my address, delivered upon the
day OF my inauguration. called your
attention to Section 1e5 OF the Virginia
Constitution which says:
The general assembly shall en- =
act laws preventing all trusts, !,
combinations and monopolies. In
imical to the public welfare.
In compliance with this mandatory
provision OF our Constitution, ana to
give erect to my recomm endation
upon the subject. companion bills have
been introduced into tho house ana
the senate: House Bill No. $40, and
Senate Bin No. 2s2.
! ON February 6th. 1918, by Joint
resolution, the general assembly nrof-
i. fered their services to me. thar the
FORCES and resources OF the state
might be thoroughly organized to helm
win the war
Inc general assembly will soon ad-
1ourn. and the forces OF greed and
ACKNOWLEDGMENT, seeking inordinate
gain, and placing port above patri-
otism through unfair and unpatriotic
means, will In the time of scarcity ana
OF nigh prices, have to be dealt with
by the state in defense of the rights OF
What may be sorely oppressed peo.
PIE; whose proper protection demands
check upon trusts. com biitations and
monopolies inimical to their welfare
In these troublous times we should
be prepared for emergencies at hona
as well as abroad
regard the enactment into law or
these bills. which are preventive In In
tent. as necessary war measure. the
adoption Of which / earnestly urru
upon you"
Later on March Is. 1915 after passas 70
OF house bill 3To by an overwhelming
majority in the house of delegates. T
| sent TO the senate of Virginia a mes
sage again calling attention to the
need for antitrust legislation In this
message | said:
House Bill. 37o has passed the house
oy an overwhelming majority. and In
/ VITA YOU for legislative action
Feeling deeply the necessity for
the enactment into law of these com
panion bills, ! am constrained to be-
speak for them your earnest and inn
mediate attention; they will serve r.
protect the public and cannot fnfurn
those VINO hold patriotism above
profit"
desire again to earnestly urge the
enactment of a law which Will effect
the purposes OF House Bill 4. and SEN
ate Bill rs as originally introduced n,
th.s extra session. I would especialiy
invite your co cooperation IN securing
severe punishment for nrsr offenders
against this law when enacted by pre-
scrihing solely as punishment 4 fatt
sentence. While In tnsjudred sym
pathy some wouM temper justice to
the malefactor in his hrst evil effort.
sight should not be lost OF tho pro-
lection thus afforded the large prof
tteers. who are entirely needless Of the
sorrow and want that their hsatiate
greed brings TO the community. Tho
winter approaches when our suffering
people Will acutely need this protec-
ton. which | feel assured upon con-
sideration you will not deny them
The punishment prescribed should
be of a character which WIN make the
act preventive we'll as corrective.
and In my opinion unless this nrst
punishment lis made a jail sentence the
act viii prove a license to profteers
rather than a protection for the people
whom we represent.
The message having to do with the
American legion follows:
My attention has been called to the
companion bills that have been today
! introduced In the house OF deleratea
! and In the senate in aid Of the orEani-
cation known the American legion.
which In the initial stage Of IT'S state
branch in Virginia. needs financial as
sistance.
While IL Is TO he regretted that this
matter should have heen presented 50
late in the session il seems 10 me
that these bills should have a hearing
upon their merits. and commend
them to you for your consideration at
this session.