The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1873-02-20
PRACTICAL VIEWS.

4
r We re-publish from the Rockingham r. q
sstsr Of q recent date, the following eon:fnu.
nisation. While some Of the views Of "Jus.
! tee do cot meet our full concurrence. the
! general idea is what is wanted. The article
will we'll repay perusal; as it exhibits reacc.
tion, and practical sense.
{ Relief has been the battle cry Of the men,
bers of the Legislature since they became can
didates for seats. We, the people. needed
them and voted them into place, aud prey
tell US what relief they have given US. Tia
fpaople Of this country, delinquent $40, oUOiff
their taxes, must answer for the measure Of
relief to them. When you talk to the rep.
resentativcs and ask them what is to be done.
they throw up their hands in utter desponden.:
| cy and tel you God only knows; VIC are ut
terly ruined; unable to pay he debt at the
present rate of taxation, aud the people arc
unwilling to bear more. Aud, therefore, tho
1 wise Soons Of Virsinia--the representatives.
Of Vi.giuia's iutelligence-of Virginia honor
of her integrlty-raise committee to wsis
on Ex-Gov Henry A Wise to come forward
and be their Moses, and lead Them and the
people out OF this financial Cor rather mpecu1
nlous) wilderness. One other set rise and
accuse the Hon. present Governor Of Va,
e. q. Walker, OF having led US into the troub-
lie, ard beseech his excs!lency to point way
out. On the announcement of the decision
Of the Supreme Court of the State in the eousr
pom case as adversely to the action of tina
last session, they, in hot haste, press through
bill suspending the payment Of interest.
and do it SO quick that one Of the coolest;
members Of the House voted for it and did
not realize, until the next day, what he had
done, thus locking up $500 600 or 100000
Ia the Banks Of Richmond which should now
be freely circulating amongst the people, and
would to graat extent relieve many sections
Of the State. It has been suggested that q
State Convention would be beneficial, and We
could in that way provide ways and means
for paying the debt, or in relieving ourselves,
{ suggest that a State Convention would eosf
us from 100000 to $50, 600 and would on-
" serve the purpose OF a few politicians to
speak themselves into notoriety. Our present
| Constitution provides the manner Of amend
ment or change without the expensive cost OF
convention. Let the Legislature turn its
attention now to providing the ways and
means Of paying the debt--for they can't $50
rid Of it-and to that end first relieve the
| people Of the insolerabIe burden Of support
ing swarm OF unnecessary officers through:
| QUE the Slate, eating up the substance Of the
people. Aud to begin, Gu, down the number
Of Representatives and Senators. Arrange
it so as each 10000 Of population shall have
one Representative and evcry 10000 ORG
Senator. Dispeuse,w Office of Lieutenant-'
Governor. Abolish all County Trcasurers,
impose thei: duties on Sheriffs giving tEfenv
one per cent. for collecting. Abolish Coun-
| ty Judges, and in their stead let there be
| Circuit Courts held once in every three
months, at salary Of 500 and 5 cents 4;
mile for travel going to and coming from
Courthouse. Throw large counties such as
Augusta, Rockingham Highland, Page, and
Shenandoah, into one district, giving the
Judge work to do, and let him earn his mon
ey Make the position honorable Mako
the law so chat parties calling for jaries iii,
the trial Of their causes bear the hurthan Of
the cost. Dispense with all Of the township
organization from bsgiuuiug to end Also
dispense with all registering of voters.
aud registrars. Give to the Clerk OF
the Circuit Court probate power, and appeal
direct to the Judge ct the Court. In this
way che public expense can 30 reduced to s
very small item compared with what is is now.
Give to Magistrates exclusive jurisdiction OF
all offences not punishable with death or con-:
fnement in the penitensiary, and give them
power, in case the party be fined, to hire HIM
cut to the highest bidder until the foe be-
paid. And when the offence is punishable by
confinement in Jail, let the magistrate have
power TO inaict hard labor instead on the
county roads, &c., and in place Of having a!
gang of Idle, trialng vagabouas in our jaily
at public expense, We will get remuneration
from them il they insist on breaking che
laws.
Lat US quit discussing national polisics,and
60 to work in the right way to pay our debts
not by Reputation, because it can't be dersss
il we were mean enough to do it, but by re-
trenchment aud reform. Let som , man from.
Rockingham start as the great champion Of
the rights Of the oppressed people, uphold
their honor, and they will uphold his hands
at the day Of trial.
When che Constitution requires to be
changed % effect these remedies suggested,
let the amendment be Immediately offered;
and when it can be done without such amend
ment let it be done quickly. Let the State
government be sisapIiied; let all salaried of
ticers be reduced 20 per cent. All good men
will see the ioportatce of it, and will submit
for the time being And, geutlsmicu Of Che
Legislature. begin with your dear selves; re-
duee Jour per diem to So 90 per day, or
50 so ct most. These are oppressive times
Many as good men as you arc (and no dsre..
spect Intended oither), are now laborng for
sl2 90 per month. Why can't you afford il
at $50 !? Set the example, and all will be
grateful. Do what is to- doquickly and comsl
home. We are all better off with as little
legislation as possible Change your meet;
Tags from annual to bi-annual, thus reducing
the expense Of legislation to one-half and
change the time of meeting from Ueccnsbct
to january.
I There are many other places chat the hand
Of the political economist is needed to pruna
off the excrcseenee of a growth produced BY
Incompetent and Inexperienced legislation,
which will naturally suggest itself to gentle
men whose sole business is to protect the poo
pic and husband their funds.
JUSTICE;
= :. Z % - - - -
I A bill has b,eu introduced in The, Aus?