The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-10-19
Tie Spectator and the Amendment is

discussing the Constitutional Amendments,
anG advising their adoption. 1t came un-
der OR observation after we had written an
article on the subject to tie found in this is
sue. Without following orr ncighbor thro'
his line OF argument, for want of time we
desire TO call especial attention to the follow
ing paragraph, C mprehcnding, as it does,
point we have elsewhere discussed:
SIN conclusion, we would say one word to
the friends of free schools. Ii you wish to
see the system Of free schools continued, vote
for the amendments. Nothing will do so
much to put the schools on firm basis. The
cost of the system is now over 4 million Of
dollars per year and increasing. The people
are getting FESTIVE under this burtheG. II
you add to it, by refusing to endorse the
measures of economy providcdin the amend
ments, they may become indignant and de-
spondent, and overturn the whole system.
Let us guard against this danger by voting
for the amendments
To our mind. the adoption of the amend
ments would accomplish the very thing the
Spectator warns against-the abolition Of the
school system. The very significant change
proposed in the amendments, to which we
have more particularly referred in anocher
column, OF subjects or questions, to members
ofthe General assembly and other officers,
upon which the people have to pass judgment,
is designed to place it in the power of the
Legislature to determine subjects and Ques-
tons without reference to the people There
is no danger to be apprehended Of the free
school system being abolished or seriously
impaired so long Us it is left with the people
to determine. Take from them, however,
the power to control subjects and questions,
now submitted to them. and leave it with
the Legislature to direct and pass upon them,
there would be great danger of effccting pre-
cisely what the Spectator warns against.
We differ with our neishbor, too, in csti-
mating the free schools as ''burdeE." The
class Of people these amendments propose to
restrict in their rights, together with anothe
class of wise and philanthopic men. who can
see no advancement for community unless
the masses are educated, have the pow
er over the subject rs the Constitution
now stands. With the amendments adopted,
the power would be taken from them. and
the free schools left at the mercy OF those
who would speedily make 4 dead letter Of
the law, or abolish the system altogether.
The economy suggested by the Spectator
that would be effected; by the adoption of the
amendments is merely imaginary, and not
sustained by past experience. Biennial scs-
sions Of the Legislature have heretofore re-
suited III almost one continuous session. Fur
tlier thar that, we think there ought to be
| annual sessions if the members of the Leg
islaturc would do their duty, and adjourn
| when they have flashed the necessary leg
islation. 10 remain in session four months,
| when tie business to be transacted ought to
be attended to in thirty days, has been the
practice heretofore, and it is thus that the
people have had their revenues squandered.
| 1t should not be forgotten that the amend
ments have to be voted upon as u whole
| The voter cannot select one which he may
approve, and reject another that he dsap-
| proves. He must either vote for or against
all. This arbitrary exaction raises the s,,s.
picion that something is designed that would
| be repusive to popular judgment if brought
to the surface and placed upon its merits
These seeming reforms and retrenchmcnts
| mentioned by the Spectator. are the blinds
| to mislead the people. The deep device and
fearful wrong proposed, and to which we
| have elsewhere imperfectly called attention,
in the change OF the method of determining
| subjects and questions, is one OF the matters
that was intended to be covered up by the
more superficial and plausible propositions Of
| biennial sessions and curtaiment Of the mum
Der Of representatives. The purpose is tc
wrest from the people the control of subjects
and questions affecting their dearest interests;
to deprive them of their rights as now secured
and establish restrictions that would make
their condition more CALLING than scrfdom it.
| self.