The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-08-21
A Lame Excuse.

liz l)Oul UOHo NOW SoANSSthJ pNiNSN NE'oA
the decision of Judge Hughes in the cou-
pom case to justify the extra session and
parade it before the country to vindicate
the wasteful and reckless purpose which
controlled in the call that was made upon
the Governor to convene the body When
the call was made no one dreamed that
such decision would be made. except the
Judges themselves, and consequently it does
not relieve those who favored it of the par
titan motive of their action. The occult
object was to deyise some means to defeat
the popular will at the polls, and to carry
the election in November next whether a
majority of the voters are for them or not.
That is made plain in the scope given, by
the caucus, to the legislation proposed
Although the assurance was given through
the Bourbon press, and by positive agree
ment with certain members to get their
signatures, to make up the necessary two
thirds, that the subjects of legislation
should be confined to correcting an omis-
sion of the last session as to the electoral
districts and the filing of vacancies in
several judgeships, the real design was to
pass bill to give the election machinery
in the State exclusively into bourbon
hands. And this they will do, if they
can, notwithstanding the promise that
was given to Gen. Wickham and others
that no partizan legislation should be IN
troduced. The people of the State look
to Gen. Wickham to arrest any step in that
: direction He knows very well that he
cannot trust to Bourbon promises. and
safety lies alone in vigilance and grit
This quality he possesses in a large degree
and we expect to see him bring it into prac-
| tical use during this session. The pretext
that there is no election law could not de-
ceive an idiot. The old law stands-that
which existed before the enactment OF the
unconstitutional bill of last session. 1t is
an insult to popular intelligence to con-
| tend otherwise IF the law of last session
was unconstitutional, it repealed nothing.
That is really the decision of the Supreme
Court, in so many words; and yet COM
mittee has been appointed to inquire into
the subject and determine whether the
| highest court in the State knew what 1T
was deciding Nothing but Bourbon i'm
pudence and effrontery could assume such
| a position. If Mr.. Barton is not outvoted
| by the other members of the committee we
think we would be safe in saying that he
would be guilty of no such partizanism as
| - hot no of tho (ip1 RI
pronouncing the bill of last session uncon-
stitutional did not restore the old law. The
unconstitutional law repealed nothing, and
the old law stands. But it will not remain
as it is, if the Bourbons can have the
power to substitute for it another act that
will completely subordinate the result of
the election in November next to Bourbon
| designs.
| The plea put up that the appointment OF
| commissioners and clerks of election should
| be taken from the Judges and given to a
partizan electoral board is not sound IN
policy. The commissioners of election
have judicial duties to perform. They are
judges of the qualification of voters and
are obligated to administer the law, and
| the clerks are sworn to carry into effect
the purpose of the law. The duties are
non-poHtical, and Judicial, and it is emf
nently proper that the Judges OF the coun-
| ty and corporation courts should appoint
them in the spirit of judicial fairness.
| We can better trust them than political
board, appointed for partizan purposes
| and to further the interests OF party.
Whatever may be the political persuasion
! of a gentleman elected to a judgeshlp, when-
ever he assumes the duties of his office and
takes an oath to support the laws and con-
stitution, there is a conservative influence
thrown around him at once, and unless ne
is corrupt he will not bring discredit upon
the ermine by prostituting his position
to purely partizan ends. Some OF them are
bad enough. we know, but these are not
confined to eitherparty. They form the ex-
ception, however, and the ends OF
Justice can better be subserved by
the County and Corporation Judges
designating the officers of election than 1of
political boards appointed by partlzan lh1lll-
ence to be entrusted with such duty. II
is mistaken notion-a perverslon Oh Jhe
purpose and intent Of the law, to assume
that commissioners and clerks OF election
are political appointments. AS we have
stated they partake more of a judicial than
political nature, and in that light they
should be treated, and not made the IN
struments Of party to perpetrate wrongs
upon the people and deprive them OF their
rights because they may have the power to
do so. To be appointed by political
boards would most assuredly tend in that
direction. This influence invoked In the
administration Of the office, and the result
would be the debasement of the whole cleo
ton machinery to partizan necessities and
corrupt ends.
While the necessities arising under the
decision of the United States Court in the
coupon Case, may make it fortunate that
theI.egislaturei is in session. this will contrl-
butte nothing to the foresight, the sagaclty
OF the patriotism Of the members VINO de-
ludIlOltu lUO CtSoCluDitSCs ~ AZ PODD-S-~~
that body to acquit itself credltably I'M
der the circumstances, and thus may es-
cape the condemnation OF the people, by
reason of the duties imposed upon it by
the action of the Federal Court on the
question named. But if it shall enact any
purely partizan legislation, looking solely
to party advantage and not to the rights
and interests of all the people, it will STILL
be exposed to the righteous retrlbutlon
of an indignant and wronged constltu-
ency. Not even the emergencies OF party
will suffice to placate the wrath OF the peo-
pie nor justify repetition of the reckless
and reprehensible enactments OF last ses-
sion. Even in exciting political contests,
it is possible for extremes to be resortedto,
which will have areactionary effect and the
public conscience become so offended as to
disregard political eMigencies, and visitthe
offenders with severe rebuke. The people
are not in temper with this Legislature
to tolerate any more foolishness, or, What
;c >vorsa the enactment of laws i'm the in