The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-01-06
The End Of It.

IaFOraDly OH the proposition for the state to |
contribute $4,000 to aid in having Virginia |
products properly exhibited and represented at
the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia, is
given il: a letter addressed to Gov. Kemper by
Prof. j. w. Malett, resigning the position of
commissioner for that purpose the other conf
missioners appointed by the Governor taking
like action, by joining in the communication OF
Prof. Mallett. The letter states that the mi
tatory steps, involving considerable labor, had
been taken by the commission to have credi-
table representation of the resources and pro-
ducts of the Statc-that it was apparent private
means were too limited in mary Instances
to fully carry out the design, and that in
conjunction with the Centennial commission of
Virginia, appointed by the authorities at Phil
adelphia, application was determined on to the
Legislature for the all asked for in the resolu-
ton presented in the Senate and rejected
Arrangements, favorable to the purposes had
been made with the various lines of transport
taton, and all the necessary agencies to attain
the object of a fair representation of the Stale
at the great Exhibition, been considered and
matured. The action of the Senate. however,
has frustrated all the plans OF the Commission
land now, even should more liberal view be
taken by the Legislature, it is too late to accom-
plsh the object for which the commission was
appointed. And this ends Virginia's connection
with the celebration of the National Centen-
NAL.
We have adverted to the fact, in another
place, that it was not the real condition of Vir
ginia that influenced the Legislature in refu-
sing to vote the $4,000 asked by the commits
sion-not patriotic sympathy with her i'm
poverished treasury-for the members have
taken therefrom more than this amount as per
diem. while they were not in session, and
substantially in violation of the fundamental
law of the Commonwealth. There was one of
! two considerations that must have influenced
their action-either dcspieable pretense of
economy, for the purpose of deceiving the peo-
pie, while they were appropriatng money to
themselves for which they have no legal title,
Or an indisposition to participate ii, the cere-
monies which will celebrate the greatness and
glory and progress ofthe American Republic du-
ring the one hundred years of its existence. Had
the question been presented to the people
whether the members should have drawn their
per diem, while they were enjoying the holt
days, or the $4,000 should be appropriated for
the purposes Prof. Mallett's commission was
appointed, there would have been no difficulty
about the decision, and the prctense of econo-
my in refusing the Centennial appropriation,
while the per diem is pocketed, will deceive no
one. 1t is the miserable shift of designing
demagogues to delude the people and blind
them TO the wrongs they are suffering from the
political Adventures who rule the Common
wealth.
There could not have been anything more
appropriate and opportune than Virginia
participation in the Celebration of the Centen-
NAL year. The conspicuous part she took in
the initiation of the events that brought aboat
the consummation of American freedom-the
heroic deeds that illustrate every page of the
record Of that sanguinary period of suffering
and carnage, and the impress of her statesman
slip and patriotism upon tne legislation and
enactments that proclaim the fundamental
principles of government upon which our in
situations rest, all should have united in de-
handing that the grand Old Commonwealth
should be properly represented at the Celebra-
ton of the Centennial that will revive so many
cherished memories, and kindle afresl the af-
lection of the people for a government dedica-
ted to freedom.
Apart from sentiment of patriotism-of ma
tional prlde-it will be unbecoming tina. Vjr-
ginia should stand afar off, modify and gloom
lily, to all appearances. contemplating the GER
enonirs that will illume this grand occason.-
Considerations of material COOL, resulting
from an exhibition to the a. sembled represent
tatives OF the civilized world Ct the evidences
OF the vast undeyeloped wealth of the State.
| should have Influenced the Legislature to
have given the amount asked by the commits
sion, instead of putting it in their pockets for
service not rendered
| We ask the people to contemplate this pic
ture presented by the representatives of the
Conservative party OF Virginia in the Legisla-
ture OF the State. 1t is huniilating enough
without criticizing it as it deserves.