The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-01-12

In contributing AS literally as is consistent with
our all our educational institutions dor
there Is antagonism between them and all sh ould
be fostered), encouraged to hope that at no
distant day shall receive substantial assistance
from the National Government.
II SUFFRAGE,
First In prominence upon the subject Of suffrage is
the question whether the constitutional require
ment of the payment OF captation tax as pre-re-
quisite to voting shall continue or be repealed.
believe that public sentiment is overwhelming In
favor of its repeal.
The only argument vanced to sustain 1t was that
1t would facilitate and insure the collection OF the
The experience of five years since its adoption
has proved 1t to be a failure as revenue measure
but If advantage were gained in that direction,
regard the abuses and frauds to which 1t has given
rise as many times counterbalancing any benefits
real or fancied, which it possesses. In principle 1t
is wrong and in practice debasing Other and better
means of collecting the capitation tax may be devils
ed without raising the food gates of corruption by
| making its payment condition precedent TO
voting.
| REGIsTR ALTON LAWS.
recommend careful revision of the registration
and election laws Many years have elapsed since
the system adopted. The question OF a new
general registration is which in my Judgment
calls for the attention of your body and the present
registration laws In respects unnecessar-
lily complicated and difficult OF construction.
In the interest OF full and free expression of the
| popular will / recommend rigid scrutiny and
purging of the election laws, many of the provisions
of which are subversive of the ends professedly
| sought
The basis of all republican government is popular
content and confidence. Both secured when the
ballot-box their votes have been recorded and
turned according to the truth Any system which
Is so framed as TO admit doubts upon these points
must whether 1t Is honestly or fraudulenty admin
fstered, breed popular discomfort Elections should
as far possible take place in sight of the public
l would recommend the passage of mandatory
provisions for the appointment of judges of election
from opposing political parties, with penalties at
tached for failure in the appointing power TO OBJ
serve the requirements, and permitting the pres
ence REPRESENTATIVES, Of each political party in
terested In an election while the vote is received,
ed
RAILROADS.
Our people are alive to the great benefits In the
way of material development flowing from the
presence in midst, and proper application to
public ends of the capital and enterprise of these
powerful corporations Though the State has part
ed with almost her entire interest stakeholder In
works ofinternal improvement, and is forbidded by
heConstitution to subscribe for any work every
citizen of the Commonwealth is still interested in |
the railroads by reason of their great influence for
good or for evil Nor has the State lost either the /
right or duty, while granting encouragement and |
reasonable powers to the corporations, of throwing
around them such guards and limitations viii /
insure the people against discrimination and extor
ton The dangerous tendencies Of combinations l
and monopoles call for skiIlfu yet vigorous treat
ment. Care should be taken not to repress ORE
TARA, ana not to encroach upon legitimate fran
chlses; but the Government should demand and
enforce practical recognition the fact that the |.
paramount obligation of railways is to the people
81 tne commonwealth. Ample power resides with
The Legislature to impose such wholesome checks
upon the various lines of transportation as shall
secure for the producer and manufacturer of Vtr
g1nfa proper rate and full facilities and guarantee
to the cities of the State those advantages to which
by reason OF their geographical position they
entitled.
The experience of other communities has demon
strated not alone the necessity, but the PRACTICABLE
fly of such policy. I urgently commend to the
consideration OF the General Assembly the laws by
which other States of the Union-notably the
states of California and Georgia-regulate the rail
way administration within their borders: laws
which have stood the examination of the courts and
survived the test of experiment to the satisfaction
or the people without injury to the railroads.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
In such examination as have been able to make
into the condition of the different departments the
fact is apparent that inadequate provision is made
for the Department of Agriculture. Ours is pre- |
em1nently an agricultural community. The histo- |
ry OF past legislation in the State strange to say
shows that while statute books record a rounifa-
cent policy towards almost every other interest !
little OF no attention has been paid to this our
greatest source Of wealth The producers NJ viz !
glnta have certainly equal claim with any other
class upon the consideration Of the Government
While am not prepared to suggest the form or ey
tent of the improvement which should be made in ,
this department, L am satisfied that wider scope
should pc given Its operations, and more liberal
should be made cover them And $
in this connection directly concerning the inter
ests of the land owners would ndorse the sugges-
ton OF the Commissioner for the attachment Of a !
mineral bureau to this department.
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
Virginia by reason of the agricultural pursuits of
her people and the absence Of exciting employment
was blessed in the past In the small percentage of
unfOrtunates dependent upon public charity But
since the excitemen1s and dstresses Of recan vaars
public jails have been the only asylum for too l
many of those cursed with the heaviest Affections
to which mankind Is subject 1t is not necessary
mere to refer to the causes not at all unavoidable
for this deporable state of affairs It Will suce to
express the belief that the General Assembly will
extend all possible aid to the institutions for the
insane and other unfortunates; and that when con-
troll of the revenues shall be to the repre-
of the people, all reasons for regret or
in this regard shall be removed. F
FEDERAL RELATIONS, &C. T
1 conclude my message, by CONCENTRATING the | r
|
our borders and upon the pregnant signs of more @
am1cable relations between all sections and all s.
The people OF our common country The assertion s.
10 not unwarranted that recent events in Virginia
have served to give an emphatic impulse liberal
sentiment throughout the land. That better era
lawns upon US is well aItested by fact that for
The first time in nearly quarter of century, the p
President OF the United States, in his annual
sage to Congress, finds occasion to allude to sec
onal differences; is there any point at issue n
between this Commonwealth the Government
II the United States TO call for discussion in pa
per nf Federal relations Alive and responding to
ne approach OF "a more perfect union,' Virginia,
always In the van of great national events, fur
lishes grave upon her soil for the vexed question
II color line in politics. To-day Virginia stands ~
before the world Offering all the blessings of %
of absolute freedom in politics and re- ~
IglOn TO those who may seek her borders Appeal :,
ng for harmonious sisterhood of States, in which "
sectional jealousies shall be unknown and in each u
II which shall be illustrated the spirit of American
SIN broad as the limits of the continent points 10
he way by leading it, and by pledging tolerance to
very creed of party church, only the creed ~
II intolerance and prescription The laws ofVirgna "
Guarantee equally protection and privilege to ID
very citizen; and the people of the Commonwealth
lave ordered that all departments of the Govern !
nent shall execute the spirit and letter Of those
avs WILLIAM Z. CAMERON. If
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