Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1882-01-17

nus, real OF IanCleu, Wllcn IL possesses
In principle it is wrong and in practice
dehasing. Other and better means OF
collecting the captation tax may be de
vised without raising the floOd-gates of
corruption by making its payment 4;
condition precedent to voting.
q REGISTRATION LAWS.
recommend Il careful revision of tho
registration and election laws. Many
years have elapsed since the system was
adopted. The question of Il new gener.
al registration is one which in my Judge.
mcnt calls for the attention of youl
body, and the present registration laws
are in several respects unnecessarily
complicated and difficult Of construction
In the interest of full and free eX.
preston of the popular will recomom.
rigid scrutiny and purging Of the elec-
tiOn laws-many Of the provisions of
which are subversiYe Of the ends pro-
fessedly sought.
The basis OF all republican govern
ment is popular content and confidence.
Both are secured when the people are
satisfied that having freely sought the
baAOt-boX their votes have been record
ed and returned according to the truth.
Any system which is so framed as to ad-
NIT doubts upon these points must,
whether it be honestly or fraudulently
administered, breed popular discomfort.
Elections should, as far as possible, take
place in sight Oithc public.
| would recommend the passage of
mandatory provisions for the appoint
mcnt Of judges Of election from oppOs-
ing political parties, with penalties at
tached for failure in the appointing pow
er to observe the requirements, and per-
mitting the presence of representatives
Of each political party interested in an
election while the vote is received, can
yassed, 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,
and proper application to public ends, Of
the capital and enterprise Of these pow
ertul corporations. Though the State
has parted with almost her entire interest
as stocliholder in works of internal i'm
provment, and is forbidden by the Consti-
tuition to subscribe for any new 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 encourage
ment and reasonable powers to these cor
poMtions, of throwing around them such
guards aud limitations as will insure the
people against discrimination and CXtOr-
ton. The dangerous tendencies orcom-
binatiOns and monopOlies call for skill
tul yet vigorous treatment. Care should
be taken not to reprCsS or rctard, and
not TO encrOach upon Legitimate franchi-
SCs; but the Government should demand
and enforce practical recognition Of the
fact that the paramount obligation Of
railways is to the people of the Common
wealth. Ample power resides with the
Legislature TO impose such wholesome
checks upon the various lines Of trans
pOrtatiOn rs shall secure for the producer
and manufacturers OF Virginia proper |
rate and full facilities, and guarantee to
the cities of the State those advantages |
TO which by reason Of their geographical |
position they are entitled.
The experience Of other communities !
has demonstrated not alone the necessity,
but the praCtiCability Of such policy. | !
commend TO the consideration |
Of the General Assembly the laws by |
which other States Of the Union-nota-
bly,, the States Of California and Georgia |
the railway administration |
within their borders; laws which have |
stood the examination of the courts and |
the test Of experiment to the |
Of the people without injury |
to the railroads.
DEPARTMENT or AGRICULTURE.
In such examination as | have been
nblC To make into the condition Of the |
different departments, the fact Is appar- |
rnt that inadequate provision Is made |
for the Department of Agriculture. |
Ours is prominently agricultural com |
munity, The history Of past legislation |
In the state, strange TO say, shows that |
while our statute books record u munih- |
cent policy towards almost every other |
interest, little or no attention has been |
paid to this our greatest source Of wealth. |
The producers OfNirginia have certainly |
mn equal claim with any other class upon |
the consideration Cf the Government. |
While am not prepared TO suggest the |
form or extent Orthe improvement which |
should be made In this department, am |
that wider scope should be-
given It's operations and more liberal
appropriations should bc made 10 Icoycr
them And In this connection ns direct
~ concerning the interests Of the land
owners, would endorse the suggestion
Of the Commissioner for the attachment
Of mineral bureau to this department.
CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS.
Virginia by reason of the agricultural
pursuits of her people and the absence
of existing employment, was blessed In
the past In the small percentage Of un-
fortunntcs dependent upon public chari-
ty. But since the eXclicmcnts and dis.
trcsscs Of recent years the proportion
has largely increased, and Of late the
public goals have been the only asylum
for too many of those cursed with the
heaviest nlllictlOns to which mankind II
subject II II not necessary here 10 re-
fer to the causes, not all unavoidable.
Tor lllS urplolNhle state OG HllNirs. II
will suffice to express the belief that the
General Assembly viii extend all posi-
bic aid to the institutions for the insane
mud other unlOrlunatcs aud that when
control OF the revenues shall be restored
to the representatives Of the people, All
reasons for regret or complaint In this
regard shall be removed.
FEDERAL RELATIONS, sc.
! conclude my message by congralu-
latlng the General Assembly upon the
peace existing within our borders and
upon The pregnant signs Of more amica-
BILE relations between MI sections and all
tile people of uur common country. The
assumption is not unWnrmntrd that re-.
rent events In Virginia have served TO
give an emphatic impulse 10 liberal sem
iincnt throughout the land That n bet.
at4s Il