Evening star., 1934-02-25
MOVES
TO WILLIAMSBURG
Virginia Legislature Holds
Session on Restoration
Property.
BY Staff Correspondent of The Star.

BY staff Correspondent Of The Star
WILLIAMSBURG. Va, February
24.-Virginia was again governed from
this historic old peninsula town today
when the General Assembly of 1884
met here for the formal opening of
the Colonial capitol of the Old
Dominion State which has been re-
stored through the philanthropic in
terest Of John D. Rockefeller, jr.
Time rolled back more than two
centuries as the legislators, number
ing among their forebears many
members of the House Of BurgesseS,
went through their routine proceed
ings and finally enacted bill which
was signed later in the day by Gov.
George C. Peery as he sat in the
council chamber Of the restored
structure.
It was here that independent Vir-
ginia government was born 23o years
ago in the seventeenth century, when
the first capitol of the Old Dominion
State was opened after the seat Of
Colonial government was moved to
Williamsburg from jamestown.
Remained Until Revolution.
1t was here that it remained until
the Revolutionary period when it was
moved to Richmond. from whence the
General Assembly came today to par
ticipate in the ceremony arranged Tor
opening the restored halls of the
ancient capitol in a new building
upon which every modern device has
been employed to make it appear old.
The capitol is one of the principal
units in the restoration program be-
ing carried on in Williamsburg by
John D. Rockefeller. jr-, and Rocke-
feller met with the legislators in the
dual role Of host and guest, the first
private citizen who has ever appeared
as a guest of Virginia's law-making
body.
In his speech before the joint As
sembly Rockefeller said that it was
his father who made the restoration
of Williamsburg possible, and declared
that he wished his father could be
here to share In the honor Of the
name of Rockefeller.
Thanks Legislators.
"I am only his son, who has acted
in his behalf" he said. "In no way
could you have honored me more
highly than by inviting me to be pres
ent on this occasion" he told the
legislators in thanking them for the
distinction they had conferred upon
him.
The three branches of the State
government were fully represented by
Gov. Peery, the 140 members of the
two houses Of the Legislature and the
full membership of the State Supreme
Court Of Appeals.
In welcoming Rockefeller Gov.
Peery paid tribute in behalf of the
Nation and of Virginia to the forces
which have resulted in the restoration
of one Of the most historic cities of
the United States
He declared that restoration Of the
Capitol was a perpetual monument
of the glorious past and an inspiration
for the future
Delegate Dovell Speaks.
Delegate Ashton Doven of Williams
speaking for the legislative branch of
the Government, said:
Perhaps supreme distinction of all
life is motherhood. No one can deny
to Virginia authority which springs
from the motherhood of this Repub-
lie" He said that George Washing
ton, Thomas Jefferson, George Mason,
! Patrick Henry and others has sat in
the halls of the old capitol in one
capacity or another.
The meeting here was no mere for
mality. The House Of Delegates con-
vened in the old hall of the House OF
Burgesses, while the Senate met for
mally in the old court chamber before
going to the House Of Burgesses for
the joint session.
Gov. Peery. himself. sat at a huge
table and signed the bill which allowed
the Assembly to meet here and then,