The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1874-12-03
Tae Legis.a4Yr and C,nrress.

I'll. lie ,i;asur> OF Virginia met yesterlay,
and the Congress OF the Uaitea States will az
samljle on M,a.lly mkt. R,5h b,lles will
gage their sttentiop, and knotty questions to
solve The financial condition OF Virginia is
ia Il depleslbe state. and it will require de-
gree Of craftsmanship to 50 shape the action
of the Legislature as to bring relief to the peo-
ple and the credit of the State, beyoHa the
scope Of that body, basing al opinion upon its
past action. At this writing, the message OF
Governor Kemper has not been given to the
p,tblc, but we anticipate that it will BE- frank
and truthful exhibit Of the assets AMI resoar-
ces OF the Commonwealth, and the oblig atoms
that are pressing upon her. This, we are lead
to believe from the intilnltions given of the
character OF the document recently submitted
to the foreiga and domestic bondholders, will
be gloomy enough, and arouse the app:ehen-
sions of. the people as to their true condition.
There should be no concealments. Party pol
icy and party security, should be weighed
down by Il severe statement of the truth, and a
reveament of the exact facts OF the case. We
UcllCyC 6UV. tNo doiiOStJ AiiA VAS
manhood to do this, and We shall look for his
exhibit with no ordinary solictude.
There is another matter OF great interest to
the people, and to the faith OF the State, that
will necessarily b. brought to t,le attention o1
the Legislature, and that is the report of the
committee appointed by the Legislature to rec
ommend amendments to the Stat, Constitu-
ton. This committee nset at Orkney Springs
last summer, and the result OF their dclbera-
ton was the adoption of rallcal changes in the
organic law of the State, such, as il approved
by the Legislature and ratified by the people,
will leave no vestige Of the present coastit'i-
! tion, compromising the rights and privileges
of the people.
! Ju'lging from the reckless n1ai1ucr by w.iich
the recent amendments were adopted, we
could expect nothing but a blind obedience to
the dicta Of party i'll voting upon the Orkney
Springs programme. It is matter Of vital in
terest to the people, Individually and collect
lively, ana if the Legislature shall recommend
the amendments suggested by the committee
and the people ratify thcp. it will be the Sc
verest blow ever struck at the institutions 81
any State We shall watch the progress Of
this bold innovation OF the peoples rights
this stab at the republican features of thu
fundamental law, with concern, to see wheth
er the spirit OF partizan bigotry is to be substi.
trlted for a wise and healthy regard for the best
interest, present and future, Of Virginia.
Congress will be confronted with two in
portant qlestions-the adjustment OF the cur
rency and the initiation Of q policy of eheal
transportation. In the brief limits allowed IL
this week, we caauot venture into q discussion
of these measures. We are satisfied, however
that they will be met with a full understand
ingo the gravity Of the interest involved, and b.
determined with an enlightened regard to the
demands Of the country.
We shall present to our readers the action o
Congress and the State Legislature on all mat
tors pertaining to their interest," and keep then
advised Of the progress of all important legis
la.ion in both bodies.