The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-01-04
sAruRpAY. January 4. 1890.
Is RICHMOND WITHOUT VOICE IN
THE HOUSE on DELEGATES

Is RICHMOND WITHOUT 4 VOICE IN
THE HOUSE on DELEGATES?
In tho spirited and pointed debate
that took place 10 the Hor~o Of Dele
gates or Thursday. in which the gen
efal character and scope Of the Ameri-
can Tobacco Company, the charter OF
which is sought TO be repealed was
very fully ana sery ably discussed. We
observed that the participants came
without exception from the counties.
Dir. Ryan is from Loudoun, Mr. Saund
crs from Franklin, Mr. Gibson from
Culpeper. Sir. Cochran from Augusta.
Mr. Flood from AppomsttoT. and Mr.
Downing from Warren, counties which
are situated in different divisions OF the
Commonwealth, but OH more or lees in
terested in the cultivation Of tobacco.
and. therefore, in all legislative meas
ures likely to deprcss or advance its
value in the market.
Was not Richmond, however. a.
closely concerned in the questions COW
cred in this debate as any one Of these
counties, or. in fact, as al Of these
counties taken together Were not It's
interests az intimately affeciedY Were
not is general welfare and prosperity
a. deeply involved 2 Aud yet. so far a.
the record shows, not single repre-
sentative from this city in the House Of
Delegates took any part IN this m
usually important debate. Practically.
this community. on that occasion, was
without a single voice. distinctly be
longing to it, TO express It's sentiments,
either friendly or hostile to The bill in
question. Richmond, a city. which.
with it, suburbs. is inhabited by over
one hundred thousand people, and
which largely draws It's support from
the very interests represented by the
American Tobacco Company, exercised
as little influence in the debate referred
to, as il it had been the smallest hamlet
in the forests OF Soulhside Virginia, OF
in some secret cove Of the Allegheny
mountains.
IL this what we must continue to ex-
pect during the whole subsequent
course Of the present session Of the Leg
stature Are we TO be without a sir
gle representative ia the various impor-
tant debates that are certain 70 take
place from time TO time hereafter? ls
our city to rely exclusively upon inhu
ence in committee rooms orin the area
devoted to the sofas, 10 hove any share
in originating and shaping the laws 10
be enacted 2 Is all the cloquence and
knowledge Of public affairs possessed
by our delegates to be exhibited only IN
the Hobbies or in whispered conferences
in the seats on the floor
Where we're Mes-rs. CARTS. Booth.
ana Byrne during this debate On the
Topeal Of the bill granting a charter 10
the American Tobacco Company
Above all, where was Mr.. Joynes
Aware of his warm interest in public
affairs. we confess to some degree OF
surprise at not finding him occupyings
most prominent place in she Discussion.
aud by forciblc and perspcuous argu-
meuts and impressive statements. Civ
fpg expression to the public opinion Of
bis constituency as = the merits and
dement's of the bin in question.
We trust most sincerely that the
ciiy's delegates will not continue TO
pursue the policy Of being as dumb So
oysters when the general interests OF
the Commonwealth. but more especially
the interests Of Richmond. are touched
in measures before the House. IL they
do the people Of the State at large will
begin to think that we have no repre-
sentatives at all. whilethe people Of this
city will recall with the keenest regret
the days when an Anderson. a Crump.
a Meredith. and a Buford were pre-
pared, upon the instant, TO lead in the
weightiest debates, aud ic defend or 70
advocate the interests of their constisu-
eney in words and with manner to
cnchain immediate attention, and to
exercise powerful influence upon the
reason OF their hearers.