The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-11-27
Partizan Legislation.

The Mccormick Bill, which passed the
| Senate over the Governor veto, proyid-
| ing the means to turn the entire election
machinery in the State over to the Demo
cratic party, is a very dangerous measure
even in party legislation. 1t exposes IN
undisguised purpose to prostitute popular
| elections to parsizan purposes regardless
of the rights of the people and that sense
of fairness which should always be main
tanned between contending political forces.
The Anderson bill in the House contains
slight notifications the most important Of
which is substituting the words IF posi-
ble'' for IF practicable, ''makingit obliga-
tory upon the County Electoral Board to
as officers Of election, when such can be
found, instead of leaving it to the discre-
ton of the Board to do So But even this
modification does not meet the case. The
selection of the judges and clerks of cleo
ton is left to Democratic board. and no
obligation imposed to consult the opposite
party as to who they would prefer to rep
resent them. Nominal Republicans might
then be chosen, the letter of the law OBJ
served, but practically such choice might
be made as TO make it more offensive to
Republicans than if all Democrats were
selected. -.r ~ Il
Fair-minded men cannot approve of this
exclusive and arbitrary power being vested
in a partizan board 1t has all the appear
ance that partizan considerations would be
regarded as paramount. Otherwise, aud
if exact justice between the parties were
the object, the Electoral Board would be
constituted Of both parties, chosen on the
recommendation of their party friends, so
that no just cause of complaint could be
urged. Let us remind our Democratic
friends that they treasured up wrath for
themselves in partizan device once before.
The capitation tax restriction on the ballot
was designed to perpetuate the ascendancy
of the Democratic party. 1t proved to be
a potent means of dividing and defeating
it. The great mass of the people love fair
play, and while they may tolerate for
awhile such extreme partizan resorts to
attain power. they soon tire Of them, and
come back to justice and equal rights. The
way to win the abiding confidence of the
people and retain control of the State is to
deal justly with all classes and parties-to
merit the good will and confidence of the
people, and do nothing that cannot be de-
Tended in the forum of conscience. Sooner
or later the sense of right of the voters will
assert itself and visit rebuke on those who
are afraid to trust them to render a
righteous verdict at the polls. If the Demo
cratic party should deserve to be retained
in power, it willnot require partizan ma
chinery to do it and if the people learn
that power is only used for partizanl ends
regardless of the rights and interests of
all classes of citizens, they will find a way to
make their condemnation known. 1t is bad
party policy to abuse power to gain parti-
zan ends. 1t will not wear, and will even
tually bring disaster upon those who try
it..
Another proposition introduced at this
extra session having for its object a parti-
zan purpose. was that to give the Audi
tor of the State the appointment Of
assessors, to assess the property of
the people in 1886. That authority now
rests with the county courts, but as the
county judges in some counties are Re-
publican, in order to take this power from
hem, and assure partizan appointments
this bill was framed and offered. # met
9Th opposition from some of those who