The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-07-03
Extra Session.

The State Central Committee of the
Democratic party met in Alexandria on
the Goth. After comparison Of opinions
it was concluded by the Committee to re-
commend tho call of IN extra session OF
the Legislature on the 18th of August,
provided the signatures OF the necessary
two thirds of the members of the Legisla-
ture could be gotten to the call. The
avowed object of the extra session is to
provide for the additional elcctor, under
the census Of 1880, and to pass another bill
to take the appointmentof judges and clerks
of election and registrars from the County
Judges and give it to county electoral
boards chosen by the Legislature. 1t will
be remembered that such a bill was
enacted at the regular session OF the Leg
islature, but because of the freehold quail
ifcation required by it, it was pronounced
by the Supreme Court unconstitutional.
Should an extra session be called one OF
its first acts will be to re-enact this law,
with such notifications as will meet the
objections of the court. The object is to
the entire election machinery of the State
to subordinate all other interests to
Bourbon methods and partizan designs,
and leave it in the power of these partlzan
officers to make such returns as party ne
cessities may demand. There is not amem-
Der of the Legislature who does not know
that under the law as it now exists there
have never been fairer elections in Virginia
that there is no reason or excuse cOnSis-
tent with an honest election, for a change,
and that there can be no other motive in
the change they propose than II corrupt
partizan advantage.
1t is not certain, rs yet, whether two
thirds of the Legislature will unite in the
call on the Governor to convene that body
in extra session. There are wanting two
in the House and two in the Senate, we
understand, If such be the fact, and
Messrs. Wickham and Callahan are de-
pended on to make up the twO-thirds, we
do not believe they will aid in d scheme
which they must know, from past knowl-
edge, has nothing of patriotism, nothing of
disinterested concern for the Common
wealth, in it. They are both known
friends of Mr.. Blaine, and they will hardly
become parties to a plot to deprive him of
the electoral vote of Virginia, should the
honest vote of the State give it to him.
1t is to defeat this very result that the ex-
ira session scheme is proposed. The Re
publicans Will carry the State with fair
election and honest count. They have at
least 10000 majority of the popular vote,
and this will be polled and counted. if the
election machinery is not perverted to
corrupt purpose.
| An extra session would cost the people
$50 900 or $685. 600, and this tax burden is
| to be inflicted if the recommendation Of
the Democratic Committee is adopted,
| without any thought of legislation looking
| to the public welfare-a proposition that
would not be considered for q moment
were it not there are some occult and
questionable purpose at the bottom of it.
Public policy, public interest, the good
name Of the State and the rights Of the
people all protest against an extra session,
and it would be in violation of the popular
will should it be called.