The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1891-08-20

1.-The decrease, it will be readily OBJ
served, is neither gradual nor interrupt
ed. To make use of somewhat face
tious expression of the writer, the array
of figures at first glance looks like sue
cession of bad crops What is to be
done? The problem awaits solution. AS
far as nature herself is concerned since
the creation, taking the wisest and most
practical precautions regarding the con-
servation of species, and our alarmed
and disquieted savants have nothing to
ask of her 1t is evident that the rdGi1
n80ilorenl lies with the Gallo race. If
the remedies to be applied, however, are
as numerous as the various theories pro-
pounded, the proper employment and
administration will be science in itself
There exists a certain set (memb ers
of the French Academy of Medicine),
who state that the steady decrease in
birth rate of the Republic is due to the
existence of diseases difficult to name
Others in turn assure us that these dis
eases are less prevalent in France than
in any other civilized country, and sta
tistics would seem to confirm the states
ment. There are those who condemn
late marriages and attribute to them the
present condition of affairs. Contrary
minded ones are opposed to the 1Sn-
culmn naatiimonii too early in life
These dissenting gentlemen may possi>
bly, convene and prescribe the proper
age.
Marriage is most difficult proceeding
at best under the French law, and the
documents and papers necessary for it's
accomplishment not only wearisome to
obtain but extremely expensive. The
rigorous formalities imposed in a process
of acquiring a marriage certificate should
be abolished by the Republic, the fees
reduced and the entire execution simpli
fled. France, for a number of good rea>
sons, is pre- eminently a country of taxa
ton. There is a tax on life, a tax on
death and tax on existence in general
Perhaps, were there not so much taxa
ton and the French people partially res
lieved of the burden they have to bear
in order to support the largest standing
army in the world, the birth rate would
increase, and more children than the
poorer classes can now conveniently pro-
vide for and educate would be brought
into the world.
at has been proposed in the Chamber
of Deputies to temper taxation in pro-
portion to the number of children in the
family of the taxpayer. For example
the father of seven children would be
entirely exempt from taxation, the fa>
ther of six children liable fer one seventh
of the tax the father of five liable for
two-sevenths; four, three seventies, and
SO on in inverse proportion. On the
other hand in order to counterbalance
the deficiency in the revenue caused by
this tax, II tax would be levied upon bach
elors, increased year by year in direct
proportion to their ages, thus Offering a
continual incentive to matrimony The
idea is an excellent one and should be
put into practice at once The
facts are significant and it is obvious
that if any official action is to be taken
III Ile iiatteI 1T IHust IiOt Dt ueidy eu-
1t is absurd for the French scientists to
retard the wheels Of progtess by indulg-
ing in pet theories. The revision pro-
posed in the system of taxation would,
no doubt, if put into operation, produce
beneficial results. Let the government
put premium instead of a forfeit on
birth, make the marriage license more
readily attainable, stimulate celibates to
matrimony, and note the consequences
1t is said that the wheat crop in Min
nesota and Dakota will amount to near
ly 115, 900, 900 bushels.