The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-09-02

Ward No. 2-IoWn Halt L. N.
Beverly anor-Court-house-2 &C p. NJ. 4
Middle Rivcr-New Hoppe Is P. NJ.
Riverheads- Mi,ldlebrook-2 =" P. NJ.
Pasturcs-Buffalo Gap-2 p" z. NJ.
North Rvcr-A[t. Solon-2 P. N.
South River-Fishefsville- 4" P. NJ.
1t was determined that each township and
ward should be entitled to fifteen delegates in
the convention.
We are perfectly satisfied that the commit
tee, in deciding to call a convention, have mis-
represented nine-tenths of their constituents.
There was general wish expressed from ev-
cry section of the county, that the people be
left free to make a choice from the various
gentlemen who might aspire to the positions
i'll question, free from the Intervention and
dictation Of the committee or a packed con-
vention. The Republicans had given assur-
ance that they would not attempt to take adj
vantage of multiplicity Of Conservative can
ditlates, but would exercise their best judg-
ment in selecting the most proper men from
the candidates of the opposite party. The
committee, or rather seven out of sixteen, have
determined that the people shall not be en-
trusted with the privilege Of selecting those
who are presumed to be their representatives
whose salaries they have to pay, and whose
laws they have to obey and endure. This ar
bitrary absorption Of the rights of the many by
the few-seven men presuming to reflect the
sentiments of six thousand voters, is a stretch
of presumption that we think ought to receive
n significant protest from the condemned and
snubbed masses.
They lave remedy. They cannot be com
PEELED to blindy follow the Path chalked out
by the seven, and to abandon their individual
ity at the belest and command of those who,
like themselves. are mere human beings, erti-
tied to- single voice in the election of repre-
sentatives and 10 more. Let them ignore such
despotic authority, not recognize its decision,
pay no attention to the primary or township
meetings, and keep aloof from all entangling
alliances, so as to be free to vote they please,
for the men who will reflect their sentiments.
A convention means the denomination of the
present incumbents. Nothing else can or will
be made out of it, Individually, we have no
objections to urge, for, i'll our mind, the pub
lie debt is the primary subject for the Lcgis-
laturc to satisfactorily dispose of. We would
just as soon Messrs. Stuart, Hanger, Koiner
and Cochran should tackle that elephant as
any others. We have no disposition to inter
fcre with the efforts OF the Conservative patty
to adjust the public obligations of the Com
monwcalth. They have so complicated her
monetary relations, so shaped the legislation
on this question, as to have gotten the people be-
tween the upperand neither milestone, andt will
be for them and their coworkers to point ont
a way OF escape, where utter ruin is not to be
encountered. The Conservative party has
fastened s5O,oO0.Q0O of debt upon the people,
from which thcre,is no avenue of escape, when
it could have been adjusted for SO cents on the
dollar without complaint from single creditor.
They arc now the victims of huge job ir the
shape of the funding bill put upon them by
this same Conservative party, and while the
managers Of the corrupt scheme are reveling
in the profits that followed the consummation
of the JOB, the honest laboring people and vo-
tcrs OF Virginia, are being crushed to the earth
under the threatened load that must fall upon
them sooner or later. The people may grum-
bic and mean because of the taxes now, but we
tell them their tares aonl hare to be doubled be-
fore they get through with the job the Conser.
vative party has 'foisted and fastened upon
them. 1t is useless for Mr.. Stuart to make his
calculation for GO cents on the $1,000 as the
maximum AMOUNT Of levy necessary for cur
rent expenses and the interest on the debit
He knows better. If he is honest, he will tell
you that not less than 100 onthe $4,000 will
meet the demands named. It is useless for
him to attempt to beguile the landowners by
telling them the legislature has shifted the road
tax from their shoulders, and placed it upon
the poor aboring man, whose every hour is re-
quired to support his wife and little ones, and
thus released real estate to that extent. This is
all stuff. The Conservative party has fastened
public debt of over $50, 000,0 900 upon the peo-
pie of this State, in order to promote the in
tcrest of a few heartless spectators in State
bonds, when the debt could have been COM
promised, and should have been compromised.
at 80 cents in the dollar, at the mere asking
The Impoverished people of Virginia have to
meet the result of this vicious legislation of the
Conservative party. The legislature that meets
next winter will be compelled to levy a tax
equal to 81 90 Oh the $4,000 on real and per-
sona property, Or refuse to make provision for
the interest and current expenses. 1t is either
pay or repndiate in some form or other, and
we want the gentlemen who have had their
fingers in the legislation up to this time to
keep them there for while longer.
There are others who differ with us. l1ewey-
er, and do not want any of them to be re-
turned. We have heard a great deal of muir
inurng and even dennnciation because of the
road law and the dog law. The laboring class
cannot see the justice of eNempting the rich
land owner from a road tax on his property.
and imposing it upon the poor man who owns
ITO property. One gentleman remarked to us
that his neighbor was worth 100000; had his
earf'ases and wagons and horses, and YET he