The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-01-19


hereafter to respect the opinions Of Others
who may happen to honestly differ from
them. Having sown to the wind, however,
they need not be surprised if they reap the
whirlwind.
Needed Reforms
1t is not 80 much the tax to support gov
eminent and meet the interest on the pub
lie obligations which operates oppressively
upon the people, as it is the exhorbitant
charges imposed by the law in litigated
cases, and the extravagant charges by the
banks for money loaned. In the one case
it is the fault OF the law itself and in the
other the fault OF the banks in violating the
law. Remedies for both of these evils lie
with the Legislature-the peoples servant,
and as this Legislature claims to be re-
Election Of public sentiment--to represent
the will of the great mass of the people, the
duty is imposed OF giving attention to the
wrongs the people suffer.
We have heretofore suggested that law
should be enacted requiring all fduc iaries
to investigate the manner in which the bu-
Siness of estates entrusted to them has
been conducted, and il it is found that
usurious interest has been charged by the
banks, demand for the return OF such
usurlous amount be enforced. Such de-
mand would be Just and compliance with
it speedy, for no one knows better than the
bank managers that any rate Of interest
above six per cent. is a violation of the
law under which their charters exist.
In the chancery practice, LET a law be
passed which would provide that hereafter
no bill ia chancery should be maintained
for the mere purpose of the enforcement of
"a lien. In many cases. not only one bill,
but three or four are filed, at a cost each of
about sl7. And in lieu Of proceedings in
! chancery, as now provided, let it be the
law that they shall be on motion, on sixty
days notice. with tax fee OF $3.50 in ia
vor OF the party prevailing, and that there
shall be tax only on that one motion. This
would reach the object of the cred itor at
| cost of 81. 80, while under the present pro-
ceedings it might cost $50 or SIS. Let it be
further provided that any bill in chancery
filed in avoidance Of such an act. should be
summarily dismissed at the cost ofthe party
filing the same.
The practice in the one case, that OF the
! banks, and the law in the other, that of
chancery proceedings, are made to operate
upon parties not able to bear the expenses
imposed. They are generally debtors who
have been driven to the wall and instead of
the usage of the banks and the law of the
State. operating to their protection. they
are made to press them down into even great
err misery than theiI original mlsfortunes en-
tailed. The common-sense OF every man
will comprehend the injustice of this, and
the common justice Of every man W i'll urge
upon the Legislature to furnish the relief
that is so palpably demanded.
1t is such hardships- the results of such
usage and such laws. which have caused the
people to groan, and not so much the, bur-
dens of State, in support Of goyerhn. mt
and paying interest. 1t is witpin the
province of the Legis stature, and clFafly its
duty. TO look into these matters AMI insti-
tute such legislation as will rempve the
onereus and uninst exactinns thatSa{e made
upon the more unfortunate class of the
community. The banks should baNnade
to obey the laws, and the chancery .prac-
tice so simpliied that the immense costs
now possible may be abated, and the ends
of justice reached. both to creditor and
debtor, without exhausting estates in legal
proceedings. We're the facts accessi ble we
have no doubt it could be shown that the
usurious interest paid by the people and the
unnecessary costs of chancery proceedings
would amount to as much each year as the
entire interest charge of the State. Ger
tainly that amount could be saved to the
people each year. if other laws were so
modified as to ecOnomize in the collection
and debtors.
1t will not be safe for the present Legis-
lature to shirk so plain duty to the peo-
pie as is involved in the suggestions we
have made; and we hope there will be
found members brave enough and inde-
pendent enough to take hold of the subject
I With firm will and determined purpose.
From all portions OF the State have come
| favorable responses to the views on these
reforms we have advanced through these
| columns and if we are to judge from the
temper shown, there is no disposition on
the part of the people to tolerate any eva,
sion or trifling in relation to matters af-
fectihg so directly the general interest,
and so intimately connected with the
prosperity Of the Commonwealth. Re-
forms should be practical and tangible. and
we know of no others which more imme-
diately touch the popular understanding
than these. The Legislature should calmly
consider this, and act upon it in relief
of the great mass Of the people, and not to
perpetuate advantages to the few.