Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-01-10

SUFFER AGE.

SUFFRAGE.
Fit in prominence upon the subject
OF slfrage is the question whether the
constitutional requirement of the pay
menof q capitation tax as pre-requis-
lite ! voting shall continue or be re-
peaf. l believe that public senti-
me4is overwhelmingly in favor of its
rep4.
IF only argument advanced to sus-
tairtt was that it would facilitate and
insfe the collection of the tax. The
expfience of five years since its adOp-
tiol|h proved it to be failure as a
revhue measure, but if advantages
wei gained in that direction, 1 regard
thehbuses and frauds to which it has
givh rise as many times counterbal-
an9g any benefits, real or fancied,
which it possesses. In principle it
is Erong and in practice debasing
OtRr and better means of collecting the
caItation tax may be devised without
railing the food.gates of corruption by
malng It's payment condition prece.
def to voting.
REGISTRATION LAWS.
Recommend careful revision OF the
RESPIRATION and election laws. Many
yefs have elapsed since the system was
| adPted. The question of a new gene,
raj registration is one which in my
jugment calls for the attention of your
boy, and the present registration laws
an IN several respects unnecessarily
duplicated and difficult of construc-
tib-
the interest of a full and free ex-
prision of the popular will recon.
mhd rigid scrutiny and purging of
thelectlon laws-many of the proyi.
Ions in1Hsdf Thich are subversive of the
eds professedly sought.
The basis of all republican governs
tent ispopular content.and confidence.
18th are secured when the people are
tisfied that having freely sought the
kllotsbox their votes have been lecord-
and returned according to the truth.
ny system which is SO framed as to
Ydnit doubts upon these points must,
Fhether it be honestly or fradulently
administered, breed popular discomfort.
Elections should, as far as possible, take
place in sight of the public.
[ would recommend the passage of
provisions for the appoint
ment of judges of election from oppos-
ing political parties, with penalties at
Fached for failure in the appointing
power to observe the requirements, and
permitting the presence of representa-
lives of each political party interested
i'm an election while the vote is received
canvassed, counted and certified.
RAILROADS.
Our people are alive to the great bene-
FITS in the way of material development
flowing from the presence in our midst,
hnd proper application TO public ends,
n the capital and enterprise of these
pwerful corporations. Though the
tate has = .rted with almost her entire
terest rs stakeholder in works of in
rnal Improvement. and is forbidden
! the Constitution to subscribe for any
bw work, every citizen of the Com
onwealth is still interested in the
ilroads by reason OF their great influ-
N ce for good or for evil. Nor has the
ate lost either the right of duty,
pile granting encouragement and rea-
liable powers to these corporations,
- throwing around them such guards
lmid limitations as will insure the peo-
NJ, against discrimination and extor
otn. The dangerous tendencies of com
lnpations and mOnopolies call for skill
~ yet vigorous treatment Care
sfPuld be taken not to repress or retard,
ana not to encroach upon legitimate
franchises but the Government should
demand and enforce practical recogni-
tloa of the fact that the paramount OBJ
lation of railways is 10 the people of the
Common wealth. Ample power resides
with the Legislature to impose such
Wholesome checks upon the various
ilnes OF transportation as shall secure
for the producer and manufacturers OF
Virginia proper rates and full facilities
and guarantee to the cities of the State
those advantages to which by reason of
their geographical position TREY 1rU cu-
titled
The experience of other communities
has demonstrated not alone the necessi-
ty, but the practicabilfty of such policy.
| urgently commend to the considers
tion of the General Assembly the laws
by which other States of the Union
notably, The State Of California and
Georgia-regulate the railway admins
tration within their borders; laws which
have stood the examination of the
courts and survived the test of expert
ment to the satisfaction of the people
" thO AdAAAOehNS'
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
In such examination as l have been
able to make into the condition of the
different departments, the fact is appa-
rent that Inadequate provision is made
for the Department of Agriculture.
Ours is pre- eminently an agricultural
community The history of past legis-
lation in The State, strange to say.
shows that while our statute books re-
cord munificent policy towards al
most every other INTEREST, little or no
attention las been paid to this our
greatest source of wealth. The produc-
ers of Virginia have certainly an equal
claim with any other class upon the
considerati ,nof the Government. While
| aIn IL l prepared to suggest the form
or extent II the Improvement which
should be made in this department., |
am satisfied that wider scope should
be given its operations, and. more libe-
raj appropriations should be made to
cover Them, And in this connection as
directly concerning the interests of the
land o wn-r-, would indorse the sug-
gestFon OF tie Commissioner for the at
tachmept of mineral bureau to this de-
partment.
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
Virginia by reason of the agricultural
pursuits Of her people and the absence
of existing employment. was blessed i'll
the past in the small percentage Of IN
fortunates dependent upon public cha
riIy. Bus since the excitements and
distresses of the recent years the pro-
portion has largely increased, and of
late the public gaols have been the only
asylum for too many of those cursed
with the heaviest Affections to which
,nandkind is subject. It is not neces-
sary here To refer to the causes, not all
unavoidable, for THE deplorabie state of
affairs. II will suffice to express the
belief that the General Assembly will
extend all possible aid to the institu-
tons for IL. insane and other unforiu-
mates; and that when control of the
revenues shall be restored to the repre-
sentatives Of the people, all reasons for
regret or complaint in this regaId shall
be renewed.
EEnEPAT PEI. ATIONS CO