The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-03-18

iESDAY EvEN'G, MARCH Is, 1873.
A LOudOun Letter.
LoUDoUN COUNTY, VA, I
March -, 1873. 1
ofthe State Journal.

To the Editor ofthe State Journal:
Will you please allow plain old farmer
but heavy taxpayer, the liberty of ex.
pressing what he knows to be the opinion
sentiments and wishes of the agricultural
class of this county, and probably every
county in the state. In the first place, the
voters from the agricultural districts would
be obliged to you or any other of the editors
Of the Richmond papers, to furnish them
with correct statement of what the present
arislature has cost or will have cost the
state this year from its opening to its close,
includ ng the amount Of the peoples money
spent in the last Christmas frolic. The
people wish to make an estimate of how
much would be saved to the state treasury
by having biennial sessions of the legisla-
ture. Besides, they wish to see how far
the amount saved would contribute to-
wards paying the interest on the state
debt. The people have determined to vote
for no individual hereafter for the legisla-
ture unless he favors the following amend
ments to the state constitution, viz: First,
biennial sessions. Second, assembling of
the legislature after the Christmas holi-
days. Third, reduction in the number
of the members of both houses of the As
sembly. Fourth, limiting the session to
sixty days. We hold the above
amendments to be absolutely necessary
in the present financial embarrassment of
the state. The voters and taxpayers have
determined through the ballot-box to force
reduction of the expenses Of the state
government, or, at least, all needless ex-
penses. We would not impugn any mans
motives, but it really looks to the people
like the legislature has whiled away two
months of the session in idle talk merely
to have it prolonged beyond the ccnsti-
tutional term. There is no doubt but
that there are some members in the
legislature who are making more
money at six dollars per day than when
at home attending to their ordinary bust
ness, if they have any. So think the peo-
.rle. The legislature has now been in SEES.
sion one hundred days, at six dollars per
day, without having passed one single bill
OF public importance. They seem to be
SO busy legislating for railroad monopolies,
private interests, to keep certain set of
favorites in fat offices, that they have en-
tirely forgotten the public interest of the
state. This Chinese legislation and ante
diluyian notions that seems to shape and
direct our legislators, are not adapted to
this age of progress and improvement.
They want the state thrown open to fair
and honorable competition, it matters not
whence it comes, provided it brings capital
in the state and helps to develop its ma
terial resources. We want free trade in
money, and free railroads; and any politi-
cal party that will favor such measure, will
hereafter be the ruling party in the state.
The complaint against and dissatisfaction
with the present legislature is loud and deep.
Now, Mr.. Editor, am Conservative, and
always voted the Conservative ticket. but
will vote, and l know the Conservatives will
vote, for any party, be it Conservative or
Republican, which will adopt as O platform
these reforms, and come before the people |
at the next election as the advocates of the |
amendments proposed above. If the Con-
sentative party refuses to endorse the said |
amendments, let the Republican party
show its willingness to conform to the will /
Of the people in this respect, and the peo-
pie will be willing to trust them with
the state government for one term, at |
least, for they are well assured that !
their condition could not be made
worse by the change. Another question:
The Governor has proposed that the Uni
ted States should assume the payment of
the state debt; and it seems that the legis-
1ature is disposed to sustain the Governor
in his views of the question. Well, we
oppressed Taxpayers would be very glad
of this, but how does the Governor and
legislature know that Congress would be
generous enough to assume this debt under
the conditions proposed, or under any other
conditions? This proposition looks very
much like an electioneering bait on the part
of those in power, who would wish to de-
lude the people with the false hope that
they are to be released so easily of their in
debtedness.
If those in power really believe that the
United States could be induced to assume
this debt, it would be sound policy on the
part of The Conservatives to vote the Rad
ical ticket. Because it is much more pro-
bable that a Republican governor and leg
islature would be able to influence the ac-
ton Of Congress in this matter than a
Conservative legislature. But, above all,
Mr.. Editor, the Conservatives of Virginia
would respectfully notify the wire-pullers
and political leaders of the state, that they
will never allow an old party-hack to oc-
cupy the gubernatorial chair, or to repre-
sent them in Congress. The old politi-
clans, who figured so largely before the
war, will never be supported by the peo-
Pile of Virginia for any important office.
They must take a back seat in the political
arena. We have had enough of them. to
our sorrow and humiliation. We want
new and more skillful hands at the politi-
cal bellows. CONSERVATIVE.