Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-08-05

in the convention of 1888 and invested by
the people with legislative powers, have re-
deemed this pledge and faithfully admins
| tered all trusts confided to us.
PUBLIC DEBT.
The Democratic party heretofore pledged
its final acceptance of the settlement of the
public debt known as the "Riddleberger
| BILL which had then been declared consti-
tutional by the courts, State and Federal,
and its opposition to all further agitation of
the question or any disturbance of that set
Element, by repeal or otherwise. This
pledge was observed with scrupulous fideli-
| ty on the part of our representatives by the
| enactment of all needful and proper meas
ures of legislation; and the State eff Virgin
ia would have been forever freed from the
harassing demands of the public creditors
but for the sudden and inequitable reversal
of it's own decision by Republican court,
rendering still further legislation necessary
for the protection of the State. To such fur
Their legislation, and IS part thereof, to
the protection and naturalization of the
revenue officers of the State for all official
acts done in obedience to it's laws, the Dem
ocratic party pledges itself. We appeal to
the people to refuse wholly to pay any tax
in coupons, and thus at once, by their own
united patriotism and sovereign will, to rid
the Commonwealth of this long and bane-
full controversy.
The question of the State debt has ceased
to be one of dollars and cents. 1t has be-
come one of State sovereignty. The CUES
ton is whether the State of Virginia shall
be arraigned before the Federal courts con-
trolled by Republican judges, adjudicating
upon the sovereign rights of the State in
the interest of the bondholders, in defiance
of one of the plainest provisions Of the Fed
eral Constitution. We appeal upon this
question to all men. irrespective of party,
and invite them to unite with US in defend
ing the imperilled rights of the Common
wealth.
THE PUBLIC EDUCATION.
We pledge the Democratic party as the
founder and organizer of every legislative
to its continued support until every child in
the Commonwealth, of whatever race or
color, might secure the benefits of free
educltion
We renew the pledge and avouch the fact
that within the last two years, under Dem
ocratic legislation, 1915, 900 of arrearages
to school fund have been paid, besides all
regular appropriations; female normal
school established at Farmville, and liberal
annuities granted to our institutions of
learning.
1t is the cherished purpose of the Demo
cratic party to labor in this sacred work of
public enlightenment until country and
town alike enjoy the full advantages Of free
education.
To this end we favor the furnishing of
free books to the pupils of the free schools,
and an appropriation for the benefits of the
common school system from the surplus
revenues of the Federal Government, by
what is known as the Blair Bill, or better
measure.
REFORM AND REVENUE LAWS.
We recommend such changes in our State
revenue laws as will require speedy settle
ments by the collecting officers of the Com
monwealth to the end that accumulations
of large amounts in their hands and conse-
quent danger of loss may be avoided.
RAILROADS.
The railroads of the State are in the ma
ture of public high ways, and should be op-
Grated not alone for purposes of private
gain, but for the interest and convenience
of the people as well, and it is the duty of
the Legislature to supervise the operations
of such railroads and to prevent any unjust
or discriminating charges on the one hand
and allow fair and reasonable profit on the
other.
| All reasonable facilities should be grant
ed for the construction of new railroads,
but no privilege should be granted to such
new roads or to existing corporations which
may interfere with the growth of Virginia
cities or deprive them of trade to which
their position entities them.
AsYLUMs
The foundation under Democratic legisla-
ton of new asylum for the helpless luna
tics of the State, the completion of another,
| and the efficiency and economy with which
all the asylums of the State have been adj
| ninistered command our appreciation
| These establishments should continue to re-
ceive the same liberal support ahd such fur
ther appropriations and attention as may
be needed to bring them up to the highest
standards known among civilized nations.
DISABLED SOLDIERS.
| In providing wisely foT the instruction of
its citizens, and generously for the afflicted
in mind and body, the Commonwealth
should respect the sacred duty which it
owes to it's needy Confederate soldiers, dis
abled by wounds or disease. This only
hitherto initiated and observed by success
| i've Democratic Legislatures, should be fol-
lowed up by some more adequate provis-
ions than have yet been made. All proper
aid should be given those disabled veterans
who are without the Government support
which they freely vote to accord their for
mer foes, and who in the course of nature
must ere many years have passed cease to
tread the soil of Virginia, which is forever
| consecrated by their dauntless valor and de-
votion.
RESPECTING SALE OF ARDENT SPIRITS.
Reaffirming the traditional opposition of
the Democratic party to all sumptuary laws
or laws interfering with individual liberty,
we recommend to the General Assembly to
pass such laws as will permit each county
or district, at a special election held for the
purpose under proper regulations for as
pertaining the popular will, to determine
for itself whether the sale Of spirituous liq-
uors shall be legally permitted within its
limits.
INTERNAL REVENUE.
The internal revenue system, brought in
to existence by the Republican party, and
perpetuated by it when there was no neces-
sity for or reasonable apology for its con-
tinuance as relic of the war, is foreign to
ious to the interests and convictions of our
people. We favor its complete and uncon-
ditional abolition.
CONVICT LABOR.
Public policy requires that convict labor
should not be brought in competition with
free labor. 1t is due to the honest mechan.
les and workingmen of the country that
convict labor be employed on county roads
and internal improvements, or otherwise in
ways not conflicting with the full wages of
honest laboring men, and we advocate legis-
lation that will carefully guard against such
conflict Government contracts should be
performed only by free labor, and we favor
the passage of such laws that shall require
it to be deemed a condition in all contracts
with the Government that convict labor be
not employed in their execution.
Eight hours per day for labor upon pub
lie works; opposition to all Determinations
uniustly bearing upon labor or capital; the
enforced payment of money wages by cor
porations, and the first lien to employees
upon their assets; the establishment of labor
bureaus for the collection of statistics and
the investigation of questions connected
.n;tI, 4,o elevation of tho 1ahoripr n1accac.