The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1920-02-18
Virginia Association for the Common
Good Makes Reply to Senator Trinkle

The Virginia association for the
common good, through Its directors
yesterday issued a statement in reply
To criticism and comment made by
State Senator Trinkle IN debate on
the Insurance bill several days ago.
The statement follows:
Nj John h. Branch is chairman OF
the board OF directors OF the Virginia
association for the common good for
The third congressional district,
As the name indicates, similar as
soCla tons are organized and are being
organized not only in other congress
slona, districts IN Virginia but in
other states Of the union, and ii Is
the hope and belief that the associa-
ton Will shortly have organizations
ia every section OF the country
IN the qualification for mem ership
il is provided that the applicant shall
be a qualified voter.
II was we'll known TO the aSocia-
ton for the third district that MIR.
Branch IS qualified voter in the state
Of New York. and had been for many
years
IT Was equally well known that Mr.,
Branch had not MS peer in this COM
munity in leadership in matters that
make for Its prosperity and progress.
The energy The good judgment ana
the liberal support he is ever ready
10 give in promoting the interest OF
the capital city OF his native state are
beyond all criticism. For this reason
he is the first one sought To head
movements Of consequence IN the
community
Presented solutions.
Nh Branch. as The chairman Of The
association for the third congressional
district and also speaking with an
thority for the associations of The
First Fourth, Sixth Eighth and Tenth
districts. appeared on February . he
fore legislative committee 10 pre-
sent the following resolution passed
by tho association with reference to
pending bill providing for state
compe nsa tion insurance
Whereas. the progress pros
perity and welfare Of every COM
munIty is measured by the degree
~ freedom accorded TO its mem
beers IN the pursuit and develop
ment OF Industrial and CONNER
Cial enterprises we view with deep
concern the tendency n legisla
uon to impose upon the state the
conduct of matters that do not
pertain 10 the function OF govern
meut
w hereas. the best governed
state is thai which places The least
restriction upon it's citizens con
sistent with the proper regulation
Of society. leavin, he fullest op-
portunity for Individual Initiative
and development. with due regard
Ia the rights Of others. and
Whereas, the violation Of this
principle leads 10 paternalism and
eventually socialism.
Therefore,. be N resolved that
the Virginia associs ton for the
- common good puts itself on
record as opposed 10 the state OF
Virginia entering upon any line OF
business not essential 10 the al
ninistration Of government had
in com petition with iis own citi-
zens"
Senator r. Lee Trinkle. an ardent
supporter of the bill ignoring the
representative capacity of Mr. Branch.
saw fit to make personal attack
Upon -inl-.he- puhl!c-nress.- ta
which the undersigned directors feel
justified and in duty hound TO reply
Mr. Trinkle is reported ss charging
Mr., Branch with having sais that
the general assembly Of Virginia
would pass any sort Of mi thav was
brought 70 Il, nd that the only thing
that kept II from passing bad bills
was the presence ~ such men as him
self in protest.
Mr. Trinke Is further quoted as
saying: 81 do not propose to allow my
service in the virginia legislatu to
he attacked by resident or the state
of Ne<F York who is tax-dodger In
the state OF Virginia "
A stenoEraphic report OF the re-
marks OF Mr. Branch shows that he
made no such statement He said that
the association was organized To rro-
mote constructive. economic. govern
mental policies. national and state"
and ITO awaken the people to deeper
interest ard participation In the al
@fafrs ~ a1Kefr seo1ttft ''"rfth~ta Tefrr-;
ring 10 the pronounced awakening In
this community as evidence nv the
large attendance Of citizens upon that
hearing. he said with respect 10 spe-
cial or privileged legislation III !
can get enough patrons to bill and
somebody to get up here and endorse
It. II Will 60 through"
In this there is no personal refiec-
rton hpon members Of the Iegisfa ture,
hut was and was intended In he only
indica live OF the fact that legislators
In the mass OF hills before them are
liable to let 20 by special legislation
when aneAaAeHg ed ----t4--------l--
No intelligent. fair minded legisla-
tor will or can object to the assistance
offered him by fair and EARNEST pre-
n0ntat1an az the corr - r. A61nNn ~