The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-04-16
:. Granger" Says q Few Plain Words to
'na. tho Legislature. n =

Editors Dispatch, Your views of public
matters generally bespeak the sentiment OF
the people. It is a sad fact that in spite OF
the large white majority in the Legislature,
the interests of the State are apparently over.
looked, and the drifting towards dishonor
and reputation Is apparent to every one.
How does it happen that the people can
spend twenty millions of dollars annually
in spirits, tobacco, and other luxuries, and
vet the Legislature think them too poor to
nav their honest debts Could the past gen.
erations of the old State arise from their
graves and witness the efforts to eyade The
Oayment of debts, both as individuals and
as a State, they would consider their de-
scendants eternaly disgraced. Instead OF
passing laws to make industry and energy
certain of support, they heap up all man
ner Of laws to prevent honesty and increase
dishonesty. In word, every plan to en-
courage the present generation in honorable
efforts to carry on business seems OVERLOOK
ed, and the opposite sustained. In times
gone by heads of families left the State OF
Virginia as guardian of their widows
and orphan children, and trusted
to its honor to pay punctually
its annual interest, and European and north
ern capitalists also had faith in the Old Do
minion. Every one sees the disgrace, and
the unfortunate creditor and dependent
family feel this want of faith in paying its
obligations. Where and when this matter
will end is only known to the present Lesls-
lature. After its lengthy session some deh-
mite and restorative plan could have been
adopted. and the State prevented from bank
ruptcy. .t.2 II. .,
Had the taxes been raised to seyenty-five
cents on the hundred dollars the treasury
would have sufficient funds to meet all de-
mands. Had the exemption law limited the
amount of land to forty acres the homestead
would have been pleasing sight of improved
soil and dwelling. Instead of this, the lower
the price of land the more of it is held and
less improved, and land-grabbers enabled to
buy up around them and prevent immigra-
ton. It is useless to talk of importing i'm
migrants from anywhere unless there is land
offered on as favorable terms as by the Fede-
raj Government and by other States. The
fable Of the dog in the maDger illustrates
the situation OF Virginia. The landowners
neither improve the aud nor will sell 1t to
others who will improve 1t. Ii costs more
than the market value Of most lands to I'M
prove the soil to a paying basis; and high
rents and deferred payments Will not brlnS
!sborers 10 the vacant fields. 1t can be MADE
constitutional to tax heavily unimproYed
lands, aud limit to the quantity OF land to
be held by one individual. The farmers Of
Virginia are unable, even if they are willing,
20 improve their lands and profitable farm
IS OF some value to the owner and to the
State. There are other ways to reach the
object desired, and where there's will
there's way. w.. .-.... r.---
Again: the roads of Virginia need atten-
ton, but so far as can be observed they be-
come worse from year to year. The over
seers of the roads say they baye no money,
and that people, particularly. the colored
population, will not work Oh the roads. Are
there no laws to meet these issues? ~.
Another suggestion may not be inappro-
pirate. If the members Of the present Le-
gislature are too fearful of giving offence, the
ne,o order of Changers may find ne,o men
who will pass laws to remedy these evils.
They are pledged to honesty, and the State of
Virg inia is tit subject to commence with;
aud to restore, if possible, the former integ-
rity of the Commonwealth and OF its. citI-
zens, individually and collectively 49,
s.,i -....t.~ ~. GRANGER,