The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-08-24
Col w E Sims Letter.

We take from the Martinsville Herald a
letter addressed by Col. w. E. Sims. OF
Martinsvillc, to Judge Hariston, OF Hem
ry county, on the political questions OF the
day. Mr.. Sims has been regarded as
one of the brightest and most conspicu-'
Gus of the Bourbon lights in the Fifth Dis
triet. His name has been frequently men-
toned in connection with the nomination
of that faction for Congress, but Mr.. Cabell
being an exact expression of Bourbon no.
tions, there was no possibility OF wrestling
the control Of the machine from his
clutches. Hence Mr.. Sims has deter
mined to appeal to the people, and in
doing so presents a formulation Of his
views on the issues as to state and
National policies, which may come up for
discussion in this canvass. He marches up
handsomely to the support OF Liberalism as
against Bourbonism, and announces views
which will be generally acceptable to all
who are opposed to the Bourbon faction
Upon one point he is in error according to
our opinion. 1t is premature to advocate
the repeal Of the internal revenue laws, UNI
til the condition OF the country is such and
the revenues so assured, as to justify it. 1t
will not be many years before the judgment
of the country will accord with what he
says; but it is not wise policy to adopt such
radical change in the financial system of
the government, in the face of the recon-
mendation of those whose study it is to
maintain public credit. 1t il not known
What notifications in the tariff laws the
Tariff Comm ission may recommend. They
will have under consideration the entire
financial interests OF the government, with
view to such suggestions for the re-
lief OF the people as will accord with The
obligations OF the nation and the duty OF
providing for current demands. 1t is not
wise, therefore, to strike from the. system
an important factor, without knowing how
it will affect the whole; nor is it good pol
icy to mislead the people by the assurance
that certain relief will be found, when it
may prove impracticable to do 80. A care
ful study of the subject will convince not
only Mr.. Sims but all others. that it
would be inoppOrtune to agitate the sub
ject of the repeal of the internal revenue
laws at this lime, or until the whole inter-
nal revenue and custom dues legislation
undergOes severe pruning and systema-
| tizing.
| The letter OF Mr.. Sims is impor tant,
however, as showing the changes that are
going on in the public mind as they relate to
the contrasting political factions in Virginia.
No sounder reasons could be offered than
| those presented by MIR. Sims for divOrc-
ing himself from the obstructive and retro
active policy of Bourbonism. The freedom
Of the ballot general and free public edu-
cation the protection OF home industrie
and the development OF home wealth, are
subjects pregnant of good to the whole peo-
pie and broad enough to employ all the re-
sources of discussion of which he may be
capable. They are the outgrowth Of i'm
pOrtant principles, which affect government
and control policies, both in State and ma
ton, and these it is proper and right to dis
ctlss. Mr.. Sims has taken an enlightened
position upon them-a position which will
appeal to the judgment and command the
approval of the people.
| We hope the Liberals of the Fifth Dis
trict will see their way clear to give Mr..
Sims an earnest and active support. 1t
would be great achievement to leave MIR.
Cabell and his fossilized notions at home,
and thus relieve the legislative counsels
of the nation OF Bourbon representative,
who seems to be incapable of learning from
the lessons Of the past or present, or grasp
ing the situation as it presents itself to the
intelligence and enlightenment Of the ma
tiOn.A