Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-09-18
Letter from Mr.. Samuel A. East.
b the Voters of Auonsfo co,,ntv


DEAR SIRs:-In reply to calls made upon me
through the newspapers as well as the numer-
GUS requests ofindividuals. to become candi-
date to represent you in the next House of Del
egates, it affords much pleasure to assure you
OF the high appreciation of such a compliment
coming as it does from the intelligentpeo of
the great county OF Augusta, and could serve
you in such capacity with q EOpe of i'm
proving the laws of this great Commonwealth,
might possibly be induced to consent to de-
prive myself OF the comforts of quiet private
life, to engage in the busy and unthank full labor
and turmoil OF political strife, where personal
and pecuniary acknowledgement are often
take this position twenty years ago, would,
perhaps, have considered myself quite cumpe-
some laws for the mother Of States 1 think,
however, have seen enough to know that it is
very difficult to enact laws to govern an intelli-
among us. My humble opinion, therefore. is.
that we consume too much time in law making
we are legislated to death. would recommend
We have too many elections in State and coun-
ties, entirely too much unnecessary expense
A Legislature to convene once in four years is
often enough. Elect delegates when the Gov
ernor is elected to serve during his term OF Of
flee, but only to receive pay for ninety days.
That is ample time to enact all the law we need.
If any emergency should arise by which their
services should be needed, the Governor can
call them together without pay. A further re-
duction tooin the number of delegates-sayo one
from Augusta county, and in like proportion
throughout the State, would, in my opinion,
greatly facilitate business, We must stop this
extravagant and ruinous legislation, and l
think the surest and indeed only effectuaI way
is to quit sending men to the Legislature. If
we come down to principles of strict economy
and retrenchment, we will soon hear but little
of that State debt question, which has lately ac-
quired such prominence. am glad, however
that it does occupy such prominence in the
minds of the people-it is high time that this
question was settled; let it then be taken hold
of in a business way and be disposed of. If the
Funding Bill is liked fact; if 1t is among the
1ox sot,n lot =
prepare for it; let us be of one mind on that
| subject. If the last dollar has to be paid,
let us arrange for it and pay it. l am one
management of State affairs the debt will not
be paid, and whilst upon principles of justice
and equity, advocate the payment of all just
debts, and repudiate all laws favoring repudia-
ton, yet I have always believed that this debt
should be scaled. 1t has surroundings that no
ever had. 1t is needless for me to say why or
wherefore. This subject has been sufficiently
ventilated during the last few months.
This subject is not among the things that
have passed into ancient history, but is closely
linked with the passing events OF to-day, as we
in sympathy look upon the manned and halt
who are struggling in earnest combat with the
reverses of fortune to obtain an honest living.
Many of them were lying upon the fiat of their
backs with limbs amputated looking implor-
ingly to a menacing enemy, who witll the torch
and the implements of wasting war, had swept
away well nigh every vestige OF personal prop
erty-elated with victory they still maintained
the threading attitude of confiscation of the real
estate for which we then had scarcely a title,-
and in the face of all this the supposed wisdom
Of the country were in their legislative capacity
compromising interest on an old debt. for which
had not one dollar in ready money to meet. Now,
think, it will not be denied that the warmest
advocates of the law referred to will admit, that
a most egregiOus error was committed. Now,
is there any improperly or anything criminal
in the people and the courts of justice in max
ing review of this whole subject-making
fair and honorable compromise, such as we can
meet and are able to pay, and at once levy a
tax sufficient to pay the interest, with sink
ing fund sufficient to cancel the principal in a
reasonable time. SO that this burden may not
hang as an incubus upon the State to retard
our prosperity?
Much has been said about immigration and
considerable money has been spent to induce
settlers to come to Virginia but with all the
about 1900 persons have immigrated, while
q, 900 have emigrated to other parts. Let us at
lation to remain with us. II a young man pos
sesses any native talent for mechanism he must
go North or to the far West before he can get a
position in work shop. Thus we Xport all our
young men of energy and enterprise and i'm
port the result of their labor in the shape of
farming implements, &C., consequently, we re-
tain an undue proportion of inefficient labor,
much OF which has to be supported in aims
houses and in northumberland other
States ADVANCE whilst Virginia recedes. Can
admit that my mind is unable to compass or
offer a remedy adequate to the reforms which
seem to be needed. Yet hope and feel assured
that some minds in the great Commonwealt
of Virginia will be found equal to this emergen-
cy, for it is only in such extremities that the
brightest intellects rise to the surface.
1 would venture, however, to suggest that
much time and money might be saved by ex-
tending the jurisdiction of magistrates and in
creaSing the pay of Jurors and Grand Jurors to
say about S. per diem, and requiring litigants
to pay their own costs, thus Offering an incen-
tive to the obedience of law an order, to those
who have become fond of litigation, and re-
ward to the law-abiding citizen, who is often
called upon to leave his business, however
pressing, and attend to the settlement of suits
often gotten up by the litigious portion of our
population, who have but little regard for the
cost or inconvenience of others. AS 1 have re-
marked, we have too many elections and too
many voting precints, costing in the aggregate
sing any advantages to the people.
1t seems that in the introduction of our new
Constitution we have culled laws from all the
codes in the Union, many of which are appar-
emily not only. useless, but very expensive.
But have depressed. l started to say to nv
friends that aside from a want of capacity to
fill the position, PrOvidential Affections which
have recently transpired in my family, preclude
the possibility of such a thought. will, there
fore, ask you to excuse me from the onerous
burdens of public, at present, with the hope that
some who are more competent NAV not only
voluntarily enter upon, but FEEL the deep re-
sponsibility which rests upon those who repre-
sent an impoverished people.
And now let me Congratulate yon on the
strength and durability of your platform erect
ed on the 18th Of May last 1t has proven itself to
be of sufficient capacity to bear upon its sur
face that immense multitude which met in the
even those In our midst who sought to misrep-
resent, villify, and abuse at the outset, are now
| asking for standing room.''
Yours, very truly,
SAMUEL A. EAST.
LONG GLADE, Augusta Co., Va, Sept. l2th 1877