The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-02-07
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Mr.. Van Lear's Road Bill.

We publish to day the bill introduced by
Mr. Vanlear in the Legislature. providing
for working the roads of the county. We
and therefore do not propose to criticise,
either in condemnation or commentator OK
its provisions. We, however, believe that
there,,is no measure atiecting.the interest ofthe
people which calls for more prompt and prac-
teal consideration than the improvement OF
the County Roads, and hereafter shall urge
upon the Supervisors and the people the me-
cessity, in point of economy and public poll
cy, of thoroughly working and repairing the
public highways of the county.
The Spectator devotes an editorial to Mr..
Vanlear's bill, and in its criticism has to
bring in the public debt, as though that had
ANYTHING to do with the provisions of the
bill. except that tile improvement OF the
Roads would the better enable the tax-pay-
erS to meet the onerous burdens imposed
upon them by the States obligations. The
bill in question is purely a local measure,
designed to enhance the value OF the lands
Of the county. and, to that extent, enlarge
the sources OF taxation, as well as reduce
expenses in carrying to market the products
of the farm. Notwithstanding this, the
Spectator deems it pertinent to associate
with the county roads, the REIMBURSEMENT OF
the public debt. and to arraign Mr.. Vanlear
as inconsistent. in the proposition to author
ize the Supervisors to levy a tax to improve
the roads with the views he holds in re-
spect to readiustment.
We do not think the great body OF the
farmers OF the county will agree with our
cotemporary. They do not think it is essen
tial to the maintenance of their reputation
for individual and collective honesty, that
they should deprive themselves of the COM
forts and conveniences OF life in order to
meet the demands of the Finding bill, nor
is it part OF public policy that local means
for developing the county should be over
looked or neglected, because specula tors III
the States distresses hold the people OF the
Commonwealth in their iron grasp demand
ing the pound of iesh..nearest the heart. The
people have right to live and to use every
agency that will improve their condition,
and to do this in obedience to the very
highest law of their being. 1t has come toa
pretty pass when the mere suggestion OF 4
representative OF the county, delegated for
that purpose by his fellow citizens, that 4
law be passed to improve the material con-
dition of his constituents, is met by the
claim that the beneficiaries of the Funding
bill have higher claim upon them, and that
they must forego all efforts to better their
condition until the holders OF the issues Of
the Funding bill fraud, graciously give their
consent.
We have no right to influence the course
of the Spectator, but at the risk os being
charged with impertinence, we would sug-
gest that it would better snbseryc the people
from whom its support is received, if it
would recognize their right to adopt such
measures as will increase their values, facili-
tate their business operations, ard thus place
them in condition to meet their private and
public obligations, without absorbing the
very sources of social existence.
AS to the reference our contemporary
makes to the several propositions of the Sen
ateand House to reduce the salaries Of mem.
bers, it is ''much ado about nothing"
When the methods of retrenchment have
been matured and the policy as to readiust-
ment determined, we have no doubt there
will be a systematic and thorough provision
for reducing the expenses of State govern
ment. 1t is neither in the interest OF public
policy or public justice, that the Legislature
should proceed to a patchwork, spasmodic
application of the pruning knife. Let the
legislation pointing to retrenchment oper-
ate with uniform consistency, and embrace
in its scope, under general bill, all depart
ments OF the government. and not single
out separate part, which comes more di-
rectly in contact with the people, and seek
to raise clamor against it.
Ii may answer the purpose of the 'specta-
tor to reiterate the epithet OF Reputation, y
as applied to those fayoring REIMBURSEMENT,
but it would commend itself to the intelli-
seucc of the people more signally, were ats
sa oacity to discover that even the most pro-
nounced of the ''debt payers recognize the
necessity for readjustment, after the fright
full exhibit recently made OF the financial
condition of the State-ycrifying the posi-
ton of the readiusters during the recent
nampaion. and contradicting the assumption
of their opponents.
The effort of our contemporary to create a
prejudice against Mr.. Vanlear for no valid
reason. is a matter it can settle with its own
conscience. As for its general arraignment
# the friends of a fair and equitable settle
nent of the State debt, it Will meet that
consideration from an insulted people 1t
properly deserves.