The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-01-04


ed, Ii they have taken the trouble TO inquire,
that there is a general concurrence among
the people with the wise and timely recon-
mendaticns of the Governor in his special
message. The message was written. no
doubt, after careful reflection. Governor
kempcr would not have inaugurated this
movement in the interest Of the people
against the political bummers had he not
been forced to it by conviction OF duty. lie
is aware that it is difficult matter for
party to undertake to legislate its own re-
tanners out of Office He could not have eX-
pected TO encounter no opposition. The te-
nacity with which men hold to official posi-
| ton is remarkable, and the endeavors they
and their friends will puG forth to defend
them, will be Of no ordinary kind. Already
| the Second Auditor has appeared in print
| in a long communication detailing his own
| herculean labors, and the great Importance
| TO the public service of his office. We have
no question of Gen. Rodgers honesty-we
| do not doubt his statement that not one dol
l
knowledge. during his long incumbency
! of his position. Admitting this, it does net
condone the inexcusab,e negligence that has
distinguished his administration in the mat
| allowed, through confessed ignorance, $780,
900 OF that money to be diverted from its le-
| gitimate purpose. The very thought that this
| large amount Of funds had been paid in, and
not properly separated ard accounted for to
the bureau to which it belonged, is proof con
vincing that Gen. Rodgers has loose way
of doing business, and is liable to compro-
mise his own fair name by continuance in
| the office.
Not only this, but the developments in the
Coleman and Mayo Investigation showed that
throughout the basement offices there was
no proper system of checks and balances
To this day, there has not been ascertained
the amount Of the defalcation of these officers.
Whether it is impossible to get at the chain
of facts that would lead to 4 result so much
desired by all honest men, or whether it is to
save the Democratic party from responsible
ity that would not benefit them with the peo-
Pile, that full and complete exhibit OF the mis-
appropriation of public securities and ev;den-
ces of obligation, has not been given, we
cannot say. There is something wrong
about this whole matter somewhere, and il
is due to the people, and due the honor Of the
State and it is due to the Legislature, that s
clear and ample exposure be made. The
School Fund Anomaly, where public officer
charged with the proper auditing and ac
counting for the school tax, absolutely die
not know that four hundred thousand dollar:
belonging to that fund had been collected
and misappropriated, was in keeping will
the ignorance that prevailed with the
Auditors during the pilfering Of Coleman
and Mayo.
1t is very clear. whatever may be the ne.
cessity for the continuance of the offices, the
gentlemen in charge of them should give way
, to more capable and crcumspect officials,
who will have the ability and the courage tc
: show to the taxpayers of the State What has
become Of the moneys wrung from them by
the taX-gatherers.
The Register of the land Office. in his own
report, shows the utter uselessness OF that
! office, and that it is 4 gross imposition upon
the people. He admits that the office pays
} only $G94.G0 to the State, while his salary
is 81, 300, -sG05.4O more than the State re-
ceyes from the office. There will hardly be
any,member OF the Legislature who will SO
far misconceive his duty as not to susta in
the Governor i'll his recommendation that
this Office be abolished.
The Superintendent of Public Printing
makes a favorable report, as it appears from
the figures adduced. But we cannot es-
tinate the merits of this report, uniess an
itemized statement of the work and its char
acter of previous years to his incumbency
be given. We are inclined to the belief that
the Governor is entirely right in his recon-
mendation in regard to this office, and that
the entire printing of the State could be per-
formed without the aid of a Superintendent
and q clerk. Mr.. Walker is 4 very compe-
tent and faithful officer, but whether there
is necessity for his office, we are not pre-
pared to say, without having fuller under.
standing of its duties.
As to the Adjutant Generals Office, with q
salary attached of 81, 900, the recommendation
of the Executive that it be abolished, or tina,
the salary be made merely nominal and the
duties assigned to some other officer. there
certainly should be no objection. We have
no serious apprehension than Gen. Talafer-
ro's notion of placing the State on wal
footing, and elevating to this position tried
soldier, with an increased salary. will be seri-
ously thought Of. When man has once
been trained in the militia, and, with gilt
trappings and waving plumes, evolutioned
on some verdant sward to the admirine
gaze Of the boys, he is very apt to gather in
spiration from old Mars, and like the war
horse of Job, that snuffeth the battle from
afar of, cavort good deal about preparing
in time of peace for war; But we submit,
that just at this particular time there is no
urgent necessity to impose upon the people
the expenses of such luxury. When the mil
itia was an institution, revered and IGNORED
for it's holiday displays, and the free fights
and horse races, peculiar to ''big musters, -
the thought might have been tolerated. But
| we have had a taste of what real war is, and
we may safely venture the opinion that the
people Of the State do not care about jump
ing into one upon imaginary causes, or pre-
raring for such continge ncy. So abolish
IT, Office, and make it merely an innocent,
high-sounding name. That will he enough
of glory in that direction.
Gov. Kemper has certainly made move
in the right direction: and we cannot see how
the Democratic members of the Legislature
can fail to stand by him, after the clamor for
'sretrenchmept and reform during the po-
litical campaign just past. Not only in this
has the Executive shown 4 sincere desire to
relieve the people, but in his recommended
ton Of tax Of 30 cents gallon on whiskey.
OF course this will meet with active and de-
termined opposition from the whisky ring,
bu5 it is in the interest of the people, and they
will sustain the Governor and the members