The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-08-24

What we want in the next Legislature, is
men of sound discretion. Virginia feeling,
and legislative experience. It is not safe, nor
to our mind is il advisable, to supcrsccde the
members of the last Legislature by entirely
new and inexperienced men, who, whatever
their individual worth, will have much to
learn before they can become efficient repre-
sentatives. we need all the wisdom and ex-
pcrience we can command to perfect the ma
chncry OF State government. It is not the
dictate of policy to clamor for change as a
means of reform. We are too frequently
further from reform when the change is made
than we were before We want honesty, ca
pacity and efficiency.
Our neighbor of the Indicator has work
cd himself into an excited state of mind in
regard to the next Legislature, and especially
the delegates from this county He is decid-
cd'y opposed to selecting any of the candi-
dates from Staunton, as though there was
something morally wrong about the citizens
of this city, and suggesting the Inference
that the people of Staunton are not as much
interested in the general prosperity of the
county as those of other portions of the coun-
ty. We cannot see the force or prcpriety of
the suggestion. 1t is true the last deleaa.
ton was entirely from Staunton, but thew
we're rejected by delegates from every por-
ton Of the county. They did not seek the
position. 1t was sacrifice to some of them
to accept the offices rendered them. They
certainly brought no discre dit upon the ooun-
ty or themselves. Errors may have been
committed The people did not expect per-
lection. But take the Augusta delegation
as whole; and we believe it stood as fair to sa
the least, IN every sense as the representation
from any county in the State
The Nadicator says: "But be sure you
are not imposed upon by any one who wants
office for Its emoluments, but rather choose
those upon whom you thrust the honor. Let
them be bona .tde residents of the county,
interested in the County as taxpayers, and
men of good, sound sense"
We confess our inability to comprehend
the meaning Of our ncighbor We are not
aware that Augusta has ever heretofore, and
we &C not think the people will ever hereaf.
ter, elect a delegate to the Legislature who is
not in good faith-that is "bona f,le''-a cit
lzen of the county, and who is not ';interest-
cd IN the county as taxpayer" We are
sure the last delegation answered the bill of
our Jealous neighbor. Every one of them is
taxpayer on real property Each one of
them is native of the county, and has never
lived or voted Or transacted business any place
other than in the county Will our neigh
Dor be kind enough to let the people of the
county know what he is driving at
1t is matter of small moment to us, as to
what portion of the county the delegates are Sc
lected from We do not believe there is a re-
spectacle man in the county-onc who would
be willing to undertake to serve the county
in the Legislature, who would not discharge
the duties of legislator impartiaily and to the
best of his ability. Stauntou is as much
part of the county as any other section, and
a representative coming from the country,
could and would no more attempt to dscrim-
mate against the citizens of this city, than
representative coming from Stanton would
seek to have enacted law operating against
the county. If the disposition existed, it
could not be carried out.
This cry of county against town, is moth
ing but clap-trap. The rejecting portion
Of the people of the county have no sympa-
thy with it, because there is nothing sub
stantial or pertinent in it.
The questions which directly interest the
people, bearing upon candidates for the Leg
islature are, is he honest, is he capable is he
faithful These comprehend the essential
requirements of representative, and not,
does he come from this or that locality or be
long to this or chat family, or is he engaged
in this or that pursuit? We want experience,
a1i1ity and fidelity.
Without wishing tc be considered as pre-
seatng the claims of any one, but expressly
disclalmng any such purpose or inference,
we will state, as conviction with US, and as
general rule, that it is unwise to be chang
ing representatives every year. By so doing
we lose the benefits arising from experience
and familiarity with members and the routine
of business It requires at least one session
of schooling to become an efficient and in
fuential member. The duties of a repre-
sentative do not constitute holiday pastime
They demand vigilance, tonacity and labor.
No man should be supported merely because
Of his location in the county, but the best
men should be selected let them come from
whatever portion of the county they may
Valley Railroad.
We understand that the friends of the re-
spectivc proposed routes Of the Valley Rail-
road are actively at work.. The amount sug-
gested as necessary to secure the location of
the route on the Brdgewater and Glade route
has leen taken. A meeting was held at
T.