The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-03-26
A Letter which Is Rather too severe
Upon our Legislature.

Editors of The Dispatch, THE citizens OF
Virginia would be glad to KNOW "nae mas
become OF that constitutional amendmeht
authorizing biennial sessions of the Leglsla-
tnre which was to be submitted to the peo-
nile for ratification. If this amendment is
not endorsed by the Legislature and submit
ted to the popular vote the people will con-
cude at once that the members of the Legs.
lat,Ire would prefer to exhaust the Treasury
and bankrupt the State rather than give up
the protit aud pleasure Of their annual phi.
primape to the State capital-a sacrifice that
the people will force upon them, sooner or
later. at the ballot-box. The people are ter
ribly in earnest in this matter. The indeot-
edness of the State absolutely requires some
reduction in the expenditure OF the state
government, and they know of no more
etfectual means of reducing this expenditure
than the prompt adoption of this amend
ment authorizing biennial sessions OF
the Legislature, and also reduction
of the number of representatives I'D
both houses OF the Assembly. NotWithstana'
| ing the extremely critical condition OF the
State finances, the present session nas oeeh
extended beyond the constitutional llm't'
and the people believe unnecessarily. Ihere
| is too much vague, useless, and really PERM
cious legislation; and the great mass OF tnc
people think that If the Legislature Wouid
meet once in two years, both the material
and financial interests of the State WOULD De
greatly benefited by the change. Inc EFFORTS
OF certain members, at each annual session,
| to elude by legislative enactments tue pay
mant of the State debt have become cues
ton of public nuisance, ana Inc people
would be glad to be relieved from the shock
nd
receive from the hands Of the regulators.
| It is well.known fact that IN tnose
northern and western States whose Leglsll'
TIRES meet bieppialy the financial condition
o. said States is most prosperous. Mary land
holds biennill sessions. Why should not
| Virginia, whose financial condition Is in
| tinitelv worse! The citizens of Virginia are
heartily tired of having reputation annually
RING in their ears, when at the same time
the LEGISLATURE seems disposed to make no
effort or submit to no sacrifice to reduce the
expenses of the State government. Ii LUIS
very desirable amendment is not submitted
to the people by the present Legislature tney
will make it test question at the next clec.
ton. and will elect no individual 10 the next
legislature who will not pledge himself pu0'
bch to advocate and sustain SUCH amend
mpnt 60 desirable to the people and so
necessary to.the interes's OF the State. And IN
order to secure unity OF action and hearty
eco oeration throughout the State puollc
address or appeal will be issued by the friends
of this measure to the people, eDJolnIng upon
! them TO yindicate their claims and right 10
selfgovernment at the bllIot-boX. and to
force upon the Legislature the adoption oil
such means as they (thr people, may deem
essential to the public interest and welfare OF
the State. Finally, Messrs. Editors, you Will
obige your felow-citizens if you would f!lr'
njsh them ut your earliest convenience with
statement in round numbers what the pre-
sent Legislature will have cost the State this
session. We want such data for future use.
The people are beginning to arouse from
their lethargy and look after their Interests
personally. .-.
The papers friendly to this movement
throughout the State are respectfully re-
quested to copy this article
Vox PoPULI.