Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1891-12-04
FRIDAY MORNING, DEC. a. 1891

failing of reelection, L. G. Gunther of
Accomac was elected in his place. There
was no opposition to r. III. Cardwell for
Speaker of the House, nor to any other of
the officers of either body. Afterwards
when the Democratic caucus Of both houses
met in joint conference on the matter OF q
Joint caucus for the election of the Capitol
officers. Mr. Shepperson OF Charlotte offered
a resolution to the effect that those members
who were not regularly elected Democrats
should be excluded from participation in
the Democratic caucuSeS. This was
warmly opposed in speech by Senator
Echols OF Augusta, who moved to lay it on
the table, a motion that was supported by
r. c. Kent Of Wythe and }. Catlett Gibson
of Culpeper. MI. Shepperson's resolution
was finally referred to a committee OF
seven to be reported on at the next caucus.
1t is to be hoped that no Democratic eau
Gus of the legislature will now, Oh at any
time this session, adopt so unwise meas
ure.
Last night, the caucus was to be held to
nominate the State officers in the Capitol,
but as there was hardly any opposition to
any one of them, ii is not likely there was
any change.
The Governor message was read on
Wednesday.
The Governor opens his message by a
reference to the plentiful crops of the past
season, and the encouraging general outlook
for the prosperity of the State, and then
recounts the work which lies before the
legislat election of State officers; cleo
ton of county judges; reapportionment of
the State for representation in the leglsla-
ture and reapportionment of the State fol
representation III congress.
He next proceeds to the railroads He
says that he hears that complaints exist
against some of the railroads for improper
discrimination against certain localities
and against certain articles of Transports
ton" and also, complaints that the rail
roads are run On such .chedules as to pre-
judice certain localities, destroying by I'M
lust rates. advantages which nature has
given, mountaineering the people and in
turing their business He says:
These things should be investigated, and it
they prove true, steps should be at once taken
to remedy the wrongs complained of. We
should not forget that the Virginia railroads
were built to benefit Virginia first and Chief
1y We are now oppressed by heavy debt in
consequence Of their construction, and they
should not be used to the prejudice OF the pee
pies rights, nor to give the advantage to
other States and people over our own. l do
l,,l; inflia Cfyip
tions on the railroads, they have done and are
now doing great work in developing the
State, and all reasonable encouragement
should be given to them, but the rights OF the
citizen should not be sacrificed OF ignored.
If injustice has in any way been done to place
OF people, | am sure the railroads Will be
willing to remedy the wrong. when their at
tention is called to it. If they hesitate, then
the Legislature should promptly remedy the
wrong complained of by appropriate legisla-
ton.
He also recommends additional legisla-
ton to hold railroads and other corpora
tions to a stricter responsibility to their
employees for damages sustained in their
service. He says that in 1890 there were
1862 accidents on the railroads in Virginia,
of which 20l were fatal, and thinks that
these fearful facts appeal loudly to the
legislature for relief.
With regard to separate cars Oh rail
roads for whites and blacks LIE says:
l would advise the enactment of a statute
requiring every railroad company to provide
separate coaches for the accommodation Of
white and colored passengers, and separate
accommodations at the passenger stations
all of equal comfort AMI Convenience. When
the travel On the road is not sufficient to re-
quire two coaches single coach should be so
divided by partition as to secure separate
accommodations. The law should be enforc-
ed by suitable penalties.
He suggests requiring a hotel license to
be paid tor those ''hotels on Wheels" the
palace cars where passengers sleep and eat,
and thinks not to do SO will he an injustice
to the hotel people of the State who pay
license.
On the subject Of railroads, the Governor
closes with the following recommends
lions:
Whenever railroad abuses its franchises,
mismanages its business, and fails to COM
ply with its obligations, judge OF competent
Jurisdiction, on the application of creditors;
will take control of the company and place it
in the hands OF an officer of the court, called
a receiver, 10 Do O)SIdltu tOI tlt DcHtHt oI
those to whom it is indebted.
To see that the railroad laws OF the State
are faithfully executed, the message says,
that the citizen is protected in all his rights
against the company which may wrong him,
three Railroad Commissioners should be Sc
lected with power sufficient for the purposes
indicated. The people would be better salts
fled with three than one. They would
strengthen one another and restrain one
another Their decisions would carry more
offr1,f frIp hfnV CnfI For hnxr
should be entrusted with the power necessary.
Attention is called to the fact that the
States criminal expenses were in 1851,
$77 1894, and in 1891, are 1921 $751; and the
Governor suggests as remedies, paying the
Commonwealth Attorneys salaries instead
of fees. lessening the number of prosecu-
tions and reducing the character of causes
for felony.
The Governor calls attention to exhibit
tions of fighting with gloves, which escape
prosecution under the law against prize
fighting, on the score that the
bruisers do not use bare knuclzles, and rec
ommends legislation to remedy this.
In the matter Of representing Virginia
at the Worlds Fair the Governor is i'll
earnest. He urges organization in every
city and county of the State. and thinks,
''the legislature should come to the assis-
tance of the people, and pass an act to give
aid and encouragement to their efforts"
He warns the legislature against grant
ing the enormous powers and land rights
asked for by corporations. All applications
to the legislature for charters, he suggests,
should he refused and the parties should
be referred to the judge OF that locality
who would naturally be better Informed on
the matter.
On the matter Of good roads the Cover
nor says he sees nothing practical that can
be done except to allow the Boards Of Sill