The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-12-26

SERIOUS FuN.-Last week the 'boys"
about Harrisonburg INDUCED their propen-
sity for fun to rather serious extent. On
Thursday night they "tolled'' a strange
Young man to the northern suburbs OF the
town, and v hile one Of the youths was en-
gazing the attention Of the stranger,
pistol flash was seen, and the youth fell, as
though shot dead. The stranger commenced
a rapid stampede, with the cracking OF PTS
tolls saluting his retreat. lie rushed into
gentlemap's house, nearly frightened to
death.
Prof. Caro-, magician and ventriloquis',
gave several exhibitions in that place last
week. On Friday night. after the perior-
nance. he accompanied several young men
to the eastern suburbs. to see sfsome sights"
When they had gotten to rather secluded
spot, a pistol shot was heard and the Pro-
sfessor's immediate companion dropped, with
"a shrek and groan. Other pistol shots
followed, and the Professor took to his
heels, and in his reckless and wild flight
plunged into an ice-fond. With uplifted
hands, he begged not to be shot, as he had
no money. But soon getting out OF this, he
scampered off. he knew not In what diree-
ton, the fusilade continuing in bis rear. He
finally held up at a cabin on the Ridge, be-
wildered and lost, not knowing In what di-
rection the town was located. By the use
OF few dollars he secured pilot, and
reached his hotel sometime between mid
night and daylight, much worsted for his
sightseeing and learning trick he had
never studied before.
Whilet the intention Of Tue young men was
evidently for innocent fun, yet 1t might
have proven very serious affair. sudden
shock to the nerves, such as fright OF that
kind would be, has driven persons to the mad.
house, and impaired their reason for life. A
case OF that Kind Is now under considers
ton and treatment In Pennsylvania. We
advise the young men Of Harrisonburg to
select some other kind Of sport hereafter. II
might prove very serious business, espcc-
tally If the subject they should select to OPP
crate on had seasoned courage and airusty
shooter. A farce might be turned into
tragedy and the biters get bit.
Almost every day a bill is introduced in
the Legislature instructing the Committee
OH Constitutional Amendments to inquire
into the expediercy OF amending this or that
section or clause OF the Constitution. The
method of amending the Constitution is full
Of mischief and deceit. The two sets Of
amendments already added to the Constitu-
ton we're voted on under the whip and spur
of the party caucus, and the people really
did not know what they were doing when
they voted for them. In the first batch, the
township system was abolished, In which
was embraced road system, that required
property to pay its proportion for keeping
up the public roads. Under the amend
ments the whole burden Of keeping the pub
lie highways and byways in repair is Inn
posed upon persons to the exemption Of
property. The poor man who never owned
horse or wagon, or foot OF ground, is COM
PEELED to gay as much for the roads as the
rich man who owns farms, wagons, car
riages, horses. &C., and uses the road almost
exclusively.
In the second batch, the poor man voted
away his franchise In the enactment OF the
provision requiring the prepayment OF the
poll-tax as necessary precedent to the ex-
ercise of the elective franchises.
| In both cases, the people were driven to
| the support OF these amendments by the
despotism Of the caucus machinery, for q
great majority Of those who voted for them
did not know what they were doing.
We see now that an effort Is to be made
to repeal that part OF the Constitution
which restricts suffrage as above indicated.
1t received vote of 10 in the Senate, and
doubtless 10 out OF the 10 voted for the
amendments at the tine they we're adopted.
The inquiry made, in tins connection, as to
the constitutionality Of the amendment, as
it relates TO the National Constitution and
laws CT Congress, is pertinent. As we have
argued heretofore. and established to the
comprehension OF every impartial mind, the
poll-tax restriction Is clearly unconstitu-
tional, and II the inquiry ia pushed, and it
can be gotten before the Supreme Court OF
the United States, it will be so decided.
/ We are gratifled to see this awakened
sense OF justice and right. We hope the
thirteen Senators will stand firm to theif
vote, and see to it that the question 1t IN.
wolves is fully discussed and persistently
pressed, so that the attention of the country
may be drawn to it.