The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1872-03-07
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STANTON, VIRGINIA.
Thursday, March 7, 1879
THE LEGISLATURE,

The position Of the Legislature on the va
rious questions which have so divided it and
caused so much useless discussion, is very
much as it was three weeks ago. The
action on the per diem of members has
been absolutely disgusting. One branch
passed an act fixing it at s.. This was
trifing with ii, at the same time that it cost
the State at least $1,000. The members had
no idea or desire that it would become law
1t was merely for buueombe. It's transparency
defeated the object avowedly aimed at. The
purpose was to make record Of "retrcnch-
meut' for the consumption of retrenchment
constituencies, at the heel fthe session, after
they had frittered away ninety daysof time ac-
complishing nothing upon the more important
Legislation they had inaugurated at the be-
ginning of the session. while they were phil
osophically drawing their So per day After
squaoaling and quarreling over the point for
days in the house, at a cost Of another ST.
200 to the State the matter was referred to
committee, which brought in a majority
and minority report-so vital and ponder
Gus was the question -recommending Sc and
s. per day respectively. We regard such
triaipg with the peoples patience and wasting
OF the peoples money, as unworthy Of fair
minded men, entrusted with the solemn duty.
under oath, Of guarding the peoples interests.
The debt question remains where it was -
A bill was passed. repeating the feature of
the faadisg bill making coupons receivable
for taxes, and substituting fer per cent.
interest to be paid for the year 1872 This
received the veto of the Governor in a very
able message. The House passed the bill
over the veto by a vote of 65 to 21--Messrs
Lightncr and Hanger voting in the negative
Mr. Roller 10 the affirmative. The Senate
voted to lay the message and the bill on the
table by a vote of l6 to l4-Mr. Cochran in
the afirmative-thus refusing to pass the bill
over the veto. Thirteen Senators we're alb
sent, or not voting. Then followed long
and excited debate in which various sugges
tious of compromise were made, but Of nc
practical importance, and there the matter
rested Monday evening.
This kind Of legislation is attracting an in
dignant expression of opinion from the peo-
pie. We have rot been disposed to indulge
in any harsh criticism. We can form an idea
Of the distractions to progress in the Legs-
lature, from the existence there Of an ele.
ment which holds the balance Of power be-
tween the friends of the different views OF
public policy in the Conservative party. 1t
is their object to make this Legislature as
odious to the people az possible, and there is
no trick Or Inconsistency to which they vii
got resort to accomplish their purpose. They
wish to make record against the Conserva
tives with which to go before the people il
the November election. While we do no
believe they can effect anything there yet te
accomplish that, they will do everything the,
can to defeat the legislation and the determi
nation Of important bills.
The Conservative party in the Legislature
should remember this, and bring their mind
down to the fact that if anything is to be eff
fected it must be by solid and united actor
on their OVID part.
The fuance bill was taken up and discuss
ed on Tuesday, and on motion of Mr. Coch
ran was the order of the Gay for Wednesday
The object Of this motion is virtually to eff
feet settlement of the question. The house
will refuse to pass bill making an appropri
alton for paying interest on the public deb