Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-12-03
For the SPECTATOR.
The General Assembly.

Tomorrow, contrary to the Constitu-
ton of the State, the General Assembly
of Virginia will convene in Richmond.
In 1876 an amendment to the Constitu-
ton was submitted to the people and
by them adopted, whereby it was de-
clared that the General Assembly should
meet once in two years, and not oftener,
unless convened by the Governor in the
manner prescribed by law.
The people were satisfied that Virginia
was suffering from too much legislation.
and that the 500, 900 annually expended
by the Legislature could be used more
advantageously, if our Legislators were
only allowed to visit Richmond, at the
expense of the State. once in two years.
Hence the amendment to the Constitu-
ton. 1t was hoped and believed that
the biennial sessions wonld have been
inaugurated last session, and that we
would not have been afflicted with a
meeting of the General Assembly this
winter. But the constitutional provis-
ion upon the subject has been disregard
ed, the will of the people in the premis,
es thwarted, and we desire our friends
to bear in mind that this great wrong
is the work of the readjusters, who
claim to be the peculiar champions of the
peoples rights. It is true that some
few readjusters voted with those who
believed that it was unconstitutional for
the General Assembly to meet this year,
but as party they voted against regard
ing last session as the first biennial ses-
sion under the Constitution. We pre-
sumo they were actuated by the wise
mans advice: Spare the rod and ruin
the child. They possibly imagine that
their futile attempts at legislation last
session were not sufficient chastise-
ment to cause them to be borne in ever
ents, but, to make assurance doubly
sure, they concluded to pocket another
100000 of the peoples money.
We have no doubt but that the people
all over the State have taken due notice
of the votes of their representatives on
this important question, and will place
on the list of retired statesmen, at the
next election, all those who advocated q
session of the Legislature this winter.
In this connection. it will be gratifying
their representatives, with ONE excep-
ton, protested and VOTED against the
right of the Legislature to meet this
year. 4..5. us -
| We apprehend that there is very little
for the Legislature to do, especially as,
under the circumstances, all their pro-
ceedings may be illegal. They might
however, turn their attention to the
i final settlement of the State debt, and
their action could be legalized by the
! next lawful Legislature. Let every
member of the Legislature make de-
y for cd ,c~ oct nd OF of or
to settle this vexed question upon such
basis as that our present revenues will
suffice to pay the interest on our debt
and meet all the governmental expens-
es; and if, after they have done all thai
they can in that direction, they fail
the u, like men, let them vote such an
increase of taxes as may be necessary
i When we shall have thus he established
Tour credit, we can then reduce the rate
of interest by the issuance and sale o
new bonds, bearing four and four and :
half per cent, to take the place of oul
present bonds bearing six per cent, JUS
as the United States has done.
T, # our legislators have sufficient nerv,
to discnsfse Fhls duty fear!essly if they
removing it from the arena Of politics
they will entitle themselves to the last
ing gratitude Of their constituents, ant
: the Legislature of 1873 10 will become
memorable in the history of the State
AS soon as this matter is honofably
settled, then may we reasonably ex
pect immigration to flow into ou
State; our own people will shake of
the lethargy that has bound them TO
the last five or six years, and put OH thu
garment of energy and activity. A new
era viii dawn upon US; capital vii
seek investments among US; confidence
will be resumed; our resources will b.
developed, and Virginia will again tax
her place foremost among the States 0
the Union, not only as regards nationa
J honor, but also In material prosperity
, Gentlemen Of the Legislature, pu
, your shoulders to the wheels and try
and pull the old State out of the mire
, The object is worth the effort.
r l CITIZEN