The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-12-27
Communication.
For the vIRGINIAN.l-

RICHMOND, Dec. ID, 1888.
Mr.. Editor AS the work of nominating
and electing all the new State officers has
been completed and the results are now
before the people, don't think it would
be inappropriate to say a few words in re-
ference to one particular officer who has
been displaced by the action of the Demo-
cratic majority in the Legislature, and in
expressing myself as [ expect to, wish it
understood that / am Democrat.
| mean to speak of the Superintendent
of the Penitentiary, Saml G. Williams,
| of Rockingham county. When he, as a
Readjuster, four years ago without any So
licitation on his part, was elected Superin-
tendent of the Penitentiary by a Readjus-
| ter Legislature, he found that Institution
under the then system and management
| to be yearly expense to the State OF about
| $50 900, with its books and accounts in the
worst possible condition, credits and debts
all mixed and the.entire business machin-
cry in muddle. Manufacturing on State
account he soon saw, as it always had been,
| dead loss to the State, although rich
profit to the Storekeeper and General
Agent, and he at once set to work to in
| form himself of all necessary details and
then laid his plans before the late Board
who convinced by his clear and business
| like statement, soon gave him their active
cooperation. The present contract ssys-
| tenn was the result, and a clear gain OF
more than $4,000 over and above all ex-
penses, or saving to the State and tax
payers of upwards of $4,000 per annum,
are the fruits principally of his labor, his
| business capacity, his judgment and fideli-
| ty to the interests of the State. In the dis
charge of his duties he knew no politics,
he knew no mar, exacting the full perform
e all H. Ioc
none himself, and yet outside OF this his
loyalty and obedience to party were never
| doubtful. The small number. af Demo-
cratic officers he retained during the four
| years of his administration, he retained be-
cause of their efficiency and thorough ex-
| perience, and determinedly opposed and
resisted all efforts to have them discharged.
! In his opinion it was to the interest of the
institution and of the State that they
| should be retained, and he did retain them,
! lie had the independence and courage to
do 1t because the interests of the State in
his Judgment required it. A comparison
with the late action of the Democratic
Legislature is hardly necessary. His manly
independent course, however, soon doomed
him with part of his party, and with it
disappointed rapacity and greed, envy and
malice on the part of certain persons, who
combined and made war upon him, from
Governor down to the smaller creatures, and
as they could present no formulated
charges, they ventured only to insinuate.
How miserably they failed is awell-known
fact /; but, Mr.. Editor, let ,,oao the curtain
be lifted and you will find some of his
slanderers spotted with some mighty rot
ten places. The election now is over, and
Samuel G. Williams goes back to his peo-
pie, back to private life perhaps for q time
only, an honest, faithful man and officer.
He has not received the plaudits of poll
ticians or newspapers, not even Of his own
party, but the people of the State, those at
least whose heads and hearts are not alto
gether fettered by party lines and preju-
dice, will readily concede him 'swell done
good and faithful servant" He leaves to
the Democratic party well-paying insti-
tuition in good working order and sound
business condition, and the people l hope
may never have cause to regret his dis
placement. Acting on the maxim, to the
victors belong the spoils, fidelity and
earnest devotion. as well as tested effici-
ency, are all secondary to party as illus
trated so strongly in this case. This much,
MI. Editor, in view of all that has passed |
these last two OF three years, is but simple |
justice to the man, and [ believe that you .
and all who know him best, will endorse |
every word of it. Truly yours,
VERITAs.