The Marietta journal. (Marietta, Ga.) 1918-1944, 1924-03-20
THE NEW VIRGINIA Law TO PRESERVE RA-
CIAL INTEGRITY
By W. A. Picker M. D.. State Registrar Of Vita
Statistics, Richmond, Va.

of this State
This bill aims at correcting condition which
only the more thoughtful people of Virginia know
the existence Of
/ 1t is estimated that there are in the State from
10000 to 100000 possibly more near white people,
who are known to possess an intermixture of col
ored blood in some eases to slight extent it is
true, but still enough to prevent them from being
white.
In the past it has been possible for these people
Ito declare themselves as white or even to have the
court so declare them. Then they have demanded
the admttance of their children into the white
schools, and in not few cases have intermarred
with white people
In many counties they exist as distinct colonies
holding themselves aloof from negroes, but not be-
ing admitted by the white people as of their race
In any large gathering or school of colored peo-
pie, especially in the cities many will be observed
who are scarcely distingushable as coored
These persons however are not white in reality,
nor by the new definition of this law, that white
person is with trace of the blood Of another
race, except that person with one,sxteenth of the
American Indian, if there is no other race mixture
may be cassed as white.
Their children likely to revert to the distinct
" negro type when all apparent evidence of
mixture has disappeared
The Virginia Bureau of Vital Statistics has been
called upon for evidence by two lawyers within the
last month who were employed to assist people of
this type to force their children into the white pub
lie schools and by another employed by the school
trustees of district to prevent this action.
In each case evidence was found to show that
either the people themselves or their connections
were reported to our office to be of mixed blood.
Our Bureau has kept watchful eye upon the sit
uation and has guarded the welfare of the State as
far as possible with inadequate law and power The
condition has gone on however, and is rapidly in
Icreasing in importance
Unless radical measures are used to prevent it.
Virginia and other parts of the Nation must surely
in time go the way of all other countries in which
people Of two races have lived in close con
tact. With the exception of the Hebrew race. COM
Iplete intermxture amalgamation has been the in
Ievitable result
To succeed, the intermarriage of the white race
with mixed stock must be made impossible But
that is not sufficient, public sentiment must be so
aroused that intermixture out of wedock will
cease.
The public must be led to look with scorn and
contempt upon the man who will degrade himself,
and do harm to society by such abhorrent deeds
The Bureau of Vital Statistics, Clerks who issue
marriage licenses and the school authorities are the
barriers placed by this law between the danger and
safety of the Commonwealth
The task Of the Bureau of Vital Statistics is a
great one, with not cent of appropriation to ac
complish it with.
There is a plan, however by which it may be
financed if the public will lend it's aid.
Thousands have applied for the registration Of
births that occurred before June a. 1912 the date
when the old law went into effect.
The new law further provides for the registration
of all persons who desire it, and who will make an
phcation for such registration of color and birth
RENTING at the same time the fee of TWENTY-FIVE
cents for each applicant Do not send stamps. These
births will be permanently recorded and preserved