The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-02-16
THE noe QUESTION.

C0Wafulce, SelnSnneSS anu conteinptlDit
demagoguery ever witnessed was made by
the Legislature of Virginia last winter il
its action upon the dog question:" Two
years ago, upon the earnest representations
of the farming interest, the Legislature en-.
acted law giving TO each county the right
then enjoyed by Loudoun, under special
act, to tax dogs. This act, so clearly just
and so imperatively demanded for the pro-
lection of sheep, was hailed with expires.
sions of satisfaction by the great body Of
the people who have any permanent inter-
est in the state. Under its provision taxes
were levied in several counties, and the
great nuisance Of wandering dogs was in
course of abatement. A healthful change
of public sentiment was already visible upon
this question. 1t was beginning to be adj
mitted that sheep had some rights in Vir.
GINA as well as dogs. But when the
Legislature came together last winter a
howl came up from the yagabond CANNES
and their vagabond masters, demanding q
restoration Of their ancient right to despoil,
without restraint, the hocks of their neigh
bors in the counties that had voted the
dog tax. The Legislature heard and trem.
bled like the poor kid at the donkey's bray,
in the ancient fable The tasSe,nbled wis-
dom" took fright and stampeded
like whipped spaniels. The descendants
of the proud cavaliers surrendered to q
miserable rabble of "'possum hunters" and
" coon catchers." They sold out the most
valuable industry Of this great common.
wealth for the miserable pottage of popu-
larity and votes. They turned over to ruin
the most vital interests of that portion of
their fellow-citizens who are laborlng most
earnestly to build up the waste places
of Virginia, and lift her again into
prosperity. They did this in defiance
of the earnest protests of all Virginia
farmers who live in the Sheep
raising portions of the state. 1t is re-
markable that legisl ature who proclaim.
ed themselves the foes of Centraism,
should thus strike down the right of local
self government. Intensely sensitive to
all Federal interference with the State they
deny TO the towns and counties the right
CLEARLY an indispensable attribute of local
government to protect themselves from
predatory animals. 1t would seem that
no fair-minded man could deny to o
lo;al neighborhood the power to re.
restrain animals of all kinds from trespass-
Ing, sr, by local taxes upon worthless vari-
e:ies, to discourage their increase. All
cities now have this power. Why should
it be thus limited? The legislature of last
winter degraded the state and degraded
itself by its action upon this question. We
look to its successor for more manly and lust
action. There is not shadow of excuse
or argument against renting the matter
to the counties that does not appeal to the
cowardice, and the meanest
attributes of mans nature.
1t is perfectly understood that the repeal
last winter was secured by the votes of
who sought reelection, and who
feared to offend that ignorant and worth
less class who, in many communities, hold
the balance Of power under our partisan
This state of things is a
potent argument against the continued
dominance of parties in state legislation.
The producers must take the matter into
heir own hands. If the farmers of this state
we're completely organized, Jas they soon will
be, they could secure the passage of the bill
tomorrow. The parties rely upon plain
armers to vote the regular ticket, but they
nave to buy the votes OF the rabble by
allowing them to feed their dogs upon their
leighbors' focks. This may seem all right
o the gentlemen who get their living by
lolding the offices, but the farmers will
Don learn that IL is paying too high price
or party success. Is there not sufficient
manhood and sense of justice in the Cen
raj Assembly of Virginia to give the
counties the power to protect
lfnot there is small hope for us
kept in the overthrow of that rule of
emagogues and adventures which is
be great obstacle to our recuperation and
rogress as state. To that end the forces
re now gathering all over this land that
Vil sweep from power false men of what
yer name and party who betray the peo-
10 and sell their votes either to gigantic
operations on the one hand for money,
r to the rabble for votes.