The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1886-12-30
The Legislature.

,f authority. the Governor will probably
convene the Legislature in extra session
n February. Should such be the case it |
would be out Of place and unjust to ques- |
ion the motive that would igate the call
It is but fair to assume that the Governor,
resting under serious responsibilities as
Chief Executive officer of the State, and
whose reputation must necessarily be
more or less affected by the condition OF
the Commonwealth and the successful op-
Grafton of government, would take no step
that would be likely to initiate against
the public veal. The reasons which may
govern in his action should be such as would |
address themselves to popular respect, re-
CARELESS of political parties, and TO whlch
he could appeal as justifying any such I'M
portant exercise of authority. 1t would not
do to base the call on the fact that the
commission appointed to revise the code
is ready to report. There is nothlng SO
imperative in the condition OF the general
laws of the State as to warrant the reas'
sembling of the Legislature at COST OF
S5O. 900 to $50 900. If the call is deter
mined on. the Governor should have some
we'll defined and we'll digested suggestions
| to presert in relation to the deplorable
cond ition of the States finances, and
practical remedy to recommend. Wllhaup
this. to start with, a condition OF oonIu-
sion would exist at the outset, winch
would be worse COMPOUNDED, as dlHerent
nropositions would be introduced, lacking
that maturity of thought and reflection,
| which would be necessary to the formula
ton of any plan that would meet lne
emergencies of the case. Not only WITH
the Governor but the Legislature, mo-
tive higher than mere party necessities,
and primarily independent of party, should
govern. 1t has been. because CT partizah
influence and partizan exigencies that the
present complications are upou us. There
have been the absence of courageous qe-
votion to the State and proper eopEldera-
tion for the people, and the active pres
ence of partizan acrimony and selnsh
aims in the deliberations and acts OF the
existing Legislature in its several sit
tings. which have operated to legislative
conclusions that cannot be defended either
by fair argument or in the light OF the pup
lie good.
1t would seem to rational men that the
Governor and the Legislature ought tc
, see and understand this as well as Others
Unless they are prepared to address them
|
5 with the financial difficulties which dis
g turb the State, and, sinking out OF sigh
party considerations and advantages unite
with men of different political beliefs IN
e rescuing the Commonwealth from i'm
/ pending ruin, they ought not to insult TN
. people and outrage the Commonwealth bl
reconvening the legislative body WINE
we have but little confidence ia the ablllt!
of the present Legislature to comprehend
and master the situation as it now exists
Vt should it be reconvened, it should be tn
ambition and the purpose of every citizel
not to PREJUDICE it, but to do all in hi
lie power to aid it in arriving at wise eoneiu
d sons, that the State may be relieved iron
l. its pressing and oppressive embarfass
n merts. Should an extra session be called
N we confess that we shall not expect an
A. good TO come cut of it. The responsible
D, ty. however, will be with the party
g. power. and it will have to answer to Tn
s. people. It has been SO much under I'll
" domiuancy of partizan hatred, and is nov
% so Inundated and chagfined because Q
n the rebuke of the recent election, 1T mlgh
re be expecting too much 10 hope that
would reach the necessities OF the time
TT and take in the imperative needs OF I'LL
n. State, and give them impartial considers
al ton, without allowing party feeling
ne usurp the province of reason and judgmen
Il The opportunity would be presented
he should the Legislature reconvene, 10 II
n move. in some degree, the bad rephte III
in3 der which it rests, bat, to be FRANK, "
D. do not think it is capable OF meaSurln
he nm to the demands that would be upon /
IN 1t is, however, for the Governor ana IL
Id marty friends to determine for themselv'
st the expediency of the proposed call. IL
ND mistake. as we think it would be, won
be theirs. and they would have to ansW'
N To the people for it. 1t looks now that u
ks whole debt middle would have to be gof
es over again. 1t is in such state OF col
,is fusion and contradiction. that no patchlI
he I'D or multiplying resolves could extricate
= and the whole.question will have to be
We ken up by master minds and straighten
he out to meet the new conditions and relatlo
w. it bears Jupder hedecisons OF the Supren
las Court of the u. s., growing out OF Z
lst foolish legislation of 1884 We 90 n
in believe there is man III the Democrat
is party. who would be equal to this tas
ok and that the more the Legislature won
tinker with it. the more complicated
iv- would become.
ay- Public sentiment is hostile to an ext
to session of the present Legislature. a
no public sentiment will be the judge OF I
me action Of the Governor and the acts OF
pa legislature should it convene, and til
Ter Judgment will have little of the temper
ng mercy it. 1t will be for revenge, becal
ost of the trifling with public interests
is crafty partizan hatred and work out pi