The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-01-05
The New Government.

important departments of State affairs--the
Executive and Legislative-are under the
direction of the Re-adjuster party. The
duties and responsibilities thus imposed
upon this new political power are grave
and eighty, and the country will look to
their discharge with critical, and In some
instances, q censorious eye. 1t succeeds
one Of the most tYrannieal, proscriptive
and corrupt political organizations ever
known to this or any other State. From
the Potomac to the Gulf, search may be
made in vain to find grosser IN smanage-
ment less concern forth people. and more
reckless disregard of right and justice, than
have marked the history of the party which
has been summarily kicked out Of place
aud power by the voters of the State. Its
rule of twelve years has been positive
curse to Virginia. Ii has been false to eve
~ Interest, untrue TO every trust. and gov
erned alone by lust for spoils, its admin
istration has initiated against the general
crime. Assets have been squandered, rere-
nues misappropriated, credit destroyed and
almost every interest practically paralyzed
that partizanism might be subserved. 1t
has violated the plighted faith of the peo-
pie; prostituted the ballot-box, aid cor
rupted nearly every department of govern
ment, that party interests might be pro.
NOTED. Its bitter and relentless proscrip-
ton Of citizens of the Commonwealth be-
cause of their political Identity and belief
is without parallel in the history of par
ties. 1t has directed IFS enginery OF perse-
| cution into the social and business circles.
and branded every one as traitor to the
! State who dared to question its authority
and DEFY its methods. Its intolerance has
been so eXacting as TO excite the amaze
ment and sgust OF the citizens OF every
free Commonwealth. 1t has repealed i'm
migration. driven away capital, discour-
aged enterprise. and peopled other States
and Territories with the young manhood Of
Virginia. Throughout its entire rule, 1t
has presented the country with no COM
manding intellect. no ennObling act, nor
inspired any other feeling than that OF dis
| trust and aversion.
The duty will devolve upon the party
| which the people have invested with power
| to reverse the harmful currents which have
thus been SET in motion. 1t will be called
upon to undo much chat has been done
to do much that has been left undone, and
to inaugurate an administration Of toler-
ance, justice, economy and honesty. such
| as will give assurance to the country that
Virginia is to be abreast of the times and
open to all the liberal and enlightened in
fuences which should attend great and
prosperous Commonwealth.
The Legislature will be called upon to
enact legislation, which will effect radical
changes in the policy of the State. TO
reach the liberal and just ends, the promise
OF which called the Re-adjuster party into
power, will. indeed, be revolution.
The debt question will have to be settled
upon terms Of equity, as originally made,
il not in accord with what we consider con-
tract demands.
The removal of the capitation tax restric-
ton upon suffrage will have to be effected
to the degree that it is competent for the
Legislature to do it.
The whipping-post law repealed, IN toto
The Congressional districts re-apportioned.
So as to assure fair representation Of pop.
ular sentiment, and have it reelected! in the
Halls OF Congress.
The Judges Of the Court of Appeals will
have to be reelected, to serve for twelve
years from January, 1888.
T'i4 whole ehancery practice Of the State
should be remodeled and so changed rs to
give to business men the assurance that the
courts are not a mockery Of justice, and the
estates OF debtors not to be absorbed by
lega fees. to the exclusion of the rights
and interests of both creditor and debtor.
The Road Law should be made more prac-
tical and efficient. more equally distributing
the burdens Of keeping the public high
ways in repair by a system OF taxation
and contract. and relieving the poor people
of the State OF the heavy tax imposed upon
them for this purpose. The whole policy ia
now to relieve property, for the benefit oi
which the roads are kept i'll order.and impose
the expense upon persons, most of whom
have no business interests to subserve in the
working of the roads. There should be a
fair deal all around, and persons and prop.
erty made to contribute there proper share
in the support OF government, in proportion
to the benefits received.
The Public Schools must be literally fos.
tered. and every encouragement gwen to
bring them to higher standard Of perfec-
ton, that their beneficent mission may be
more assuredly fulfilled.
A stringent and effective dog law should
be enacted, so as to protect sheep raising
and wool growing. and the worthless ours
weeded out.
The Legislature iii, indeed. be called
upon TO perform herculean work, il it un'
dertakes to correct the abuses which are
threaded throughout the State government
and We hope it will approach its duties with
courage, fortitude and determination, &C
that the interests of the people may be sub
served, the promises OF the party it repre-.
sents redeemed, aud the general welfare
promoted.
The Governors duties will consist in such
recommendations to the Legislature as his
Judgment and the interests of the Common
wealth may demand; to see that the law S
are executed, and to weed out OF the Public
Institutions of the State the nests of ex-
trene partizans which have been created
under che administrations of his predeces-
sors. He has the sagacity the courage and
the comprehension to understand the sit,la-
ton, and he will be equal to it in every par
ticular.
The new government which has been in
augurated, will attract general attention. -
1t has come into power through the absolute
necessities OF the State. The mutterings
of the people had been heard long but dis
regarded. Entrench-d in every department
OF State, with drilled and disciplined work
ers and a subservient following, the Bour-
bon party deluded itself in the belief that it
was strong enough to success fully resist all
opposition, It beeded not warnings; il
| disdainpd ranrOofs stiff.naokad aud nh1,.