The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-08-23
Mr.. Riddleberger's Letter.

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issue a long and able letter written by the
Hon. II. II. Riddleberger to Genl. G. V.
Groner. This letter is magazine of facts
and figures. 1t presents the issues of the
pending campaign boldly, clearly and
fairly. 1t discusses the prominent Co.
alition measures with force and ability
which brings out in bold relief their salient
points, making them SO plain that the
wayfaring man may not err.
Perhaps the strongest part of this letter
is that which is devoted to the railroads
and their connection with the State. The
facts narrated should be carefully consid-
cred. He who looks beyond the surface,
will be able to see that the contest for the
control Of the Legislature this fall will
not be a mere trial of strength between
the recognized political parties of the
State. The railroads and the vast influence
they are able to exert will be as actively
engaged in the campaign, as though each
president of corporation were the leader
of political force. The elevation of Mr..
Barbour to the Craftsmanship of the Dem
ocratic party, shows in whose behalf this
power is to be exercised. 1t means some
thing more than the selection of shrewd
practical man to engineer forlOrn hope.
Mr.. Barbour is not fond of empty honors.
The reward of his party service is not to
be measured by the number of political
dead beats he may help into place. Were
this all he had to look forward to, we rather
fancy the high and mighty position so gen.
erously rendered him would have been de-
clined with thanks. Beyond any political
consideration is the dollars and cents cues
ton as it affects railroads. Mr.. Riddleberger
shows that the railroads are now taxed to
the extent of $1,000 This is over five
times the amount they were forced to pay
under funder rule. A change in the leg
islature will have the effect of reducing
this amount again. With a prospect of
saving a hundred and twenty odd thousand
a year in the way of taxes, the railroads
can well afford to make the fight. But can
the people afford to see them and their
allies succeed? There is no use in raising
u silly, demagogical cry against the rail
roads simply because they are corpora
tions. Let us look the matter squarely in
the face, and approach it in business
way. Let us recognize the fact that these
| corporations are public benefactorS that
they open the way to development of our
| resources and the upbuilding of the State !;
that they are a necessity of the age, and
are entitled to the encouragement and sup
port of the people in proportion as they
carry out the avowed objects of their con-
struction. On the other hand, let them
be held to rigid account for the privileges
| they enjoy. Every man who erects build
| ing OF adds to the value of his individual
property, is a public benefactor The
construction of industrial enterprises and
the inauguration of manufactures con-
tribute to the general veal and augment
the prosperity of the community and
State. But because Of this they are not
exempt from general burdens. They are
made to bear their full share of taxes upon
an assessment based upon the cost and
monied value of the property held.
And why, pray, should railroad companies
be entitled to special privileges !? The val
uation placed on their property by the
Board of public works is not excessive.
No man could buy the roads at 1925, 900 per
mile. Every report issued by the COM
panies shows handsome surplus. They
are operated for individual profit and pay
well on the investment. What right have
tax themselves for the mainte nance of
government and give to these corporations
a free enjoyment of the benefits conferred
by government AS we'll might it be said
that all of the carpenters OF all of any class
should combine for the purpose OF shirk-
| ing their just proportion of taxes. The
State has already absolutely sunk $40, 0O0.-
600 in these roads over and above what
she has received from them, and now when
she demands that they shall be made to
pay as other property owners pay, a COM
bination between chronic Office seekers and
rich corporations is to be formed for the
purpose of defrauding her of the revenues
she is justly entitled to. Mr.. Riddleberger
presents an array of facts with reference
to this subject which every man Of fair
ness and honestly should carefully con-
slider.
Not only this, but he shows very con-
clusively how the Riddleberger bill may
be effectually killed should it's enemies be
placed in power, Notwithstanding their
declarations against any disturbance of
the debt settlement in its present shape.
An unwillingness to cordially sustain is
tantamount to virtual hostility to any law,
and has the effect Of bringing the law it.
self into diSrepute.
The other prominent Coalition measures,
such as the Commissioner of Land Sales
bill, the reapportionment bill, SC. ARE lucidlly
efts to the people at large to follow their
| adoption and enforcement are set forth in
words so plain that they cannot be mis-
| understood. In fact, the whole letter will
well repay reading and re-reading, and to
the intelligent men of the Commonwealth
we commend it's perusal.
If the democratic press of Virginia, and
outside of the State, were held strictly to
account for all the falsehoods they circu-
late about Gen. Malone, they would have
huge sins to answer for. He cannot pass
from one city to another, unless it is given
out that he is on some sinister mission,
involving political matters. Business call
ing him to New Y DIRK last week, he stopped
part of a day in Washington on his way
there. Gov. Cameron was called to New
York on a pressing business matter, out
side of politics, and he also laid over in
Washington part of day. Forthwith
hostile correspondents fabricated the an
nouncement that Malone, Cameron, Rid
dleberger, Brady and others, were to meet
in Washington to caucus about the Vir-
ginia campaign and discuss ways and
means to arrest some terrible detection
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