Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-12-09
THE WORLDS FAIR.

obnoxious and corrupting to the commu-
nifty.
THE WORLDS FAIR.
Of the Worlds Fair at Chicago the GOV
ernor says: 1t seems to be the determina'
It;on of the Government that this shau %
the greatest exposition that the world mas
ever known. The people are in accord
with the Government, aud without section
al feeling or party prejudice are endayoriDg
to make it q success. All countries are TX
vited to participate, and agents are being
sent abroad to interest foreign coantrles IN
this work; they are meeting with mucn ef-
coaragement, The States are responding
With alacrity.
The people seem to desire it, and con.
cur with them. Virginia is the Oldest Oh
the States. Nature hss made her the rlcn,
est; man has developed so little what Goo
has given her.
There should be an organization in every
State and county to gather specimens OF
our natural wealth; the railroads and other
corporations should work in harmony with
the people, and make such an exhibition as
will cause us to feel a just pride in the old
The Legislature should
come to the assistance of the people, and
pass an act to give aid and encouragement
their efforts.
In the great gathering at Chicago OF the
worlds wealth we will have better oppor'
tunity for displaying our advantages than
we have ever had before, or, perhaps, ever
will again, and We should use this opportu
n;tv to acouaint capital and enterprise with
onr resources and invite them to Invest
w;tb us. and come and make homo with
N. and help to develop the ADVANTAGES ma
tnre has 90 literally given us.
Tho other States are active and generally
Interested, Virginia is passive and indif-
ferent.
A WARMING.
Under the head of subjects of legislation
the Governor cautions the new Legislature
= sra;nst filing the statute books with local
and private acts and with charters OF inoor-
coration. he also sounds warning
araipst the dangers of granting enormous
movers to corporations asking charters at
the hands of the, Leg islature. In ono OF
these companies the capital stock, cons
tinued the Governor, is to be not lees than
ono nor more than $40, 1000, ,00O. Gould
there be a greater opportunity given to de,
csive the unsophisticated and inexperienced
when such monstrous powers are given 10 =
fewP Another case of company being al,
lowed to have capital of SIC, ,OOO, ,0o0 sna
to own 10000 acres of land is cited.
RESULT IN OTHER STATES.
What has been the result in other States
vzhSrc these things are allowed? These
l,razted powers have been seized by shrewd
n,en, and very often they have been used
for their own personal advantage, and to
~ kho
What is the condition of large number
of such companies to-day9 The money OF
the uuvary and uninformed Is gone beyond
the hope Of recovery, while few managers
are the gamers by it. And it has much to
do with the stripgency of money in this
State to-day, and it will continue so as
long as we follow the policy Of granting
charters of Incorporation to all applicants
with powers to entice and entrap the peo-
ple. and to protect themselves and their
estates from responsibility. The most ef-
fective power to create the millionaire on
the one hand, and the pauper on the other,
is a charter of incorporation in the hands
of selfish, shrewd and unscrupulous men.
THE REMEDY.
When applications are made to the Lsgis- |
lature, they should be denied, and the par
ties referred to the judges, who in the quiet
of their chambers in vacation can examine
every power demanded, and may weigh |
well every privilege granted. The judges
have more time at their disposal, and more
experience than large portion of the Gen
eral Assembly, and are less liable to be
swayed in their conclusions by fear of Of
Tending the parties asking favor, and con-
seqaenlly more likely to guard and protect
Ihe interests oG the people against those
who may usc the privilege granted for their
own and not their country's good, Tou
will then also get rid Of lobby ,sts who vex
and annoy legislative bodies. You will
have more time to devote to the cousidera-
Jon of such general legislation as may be
necessary, and you will save many thou
sands of dollars to the treasury Of the
State.
VARIOUS MATTERS.
Under their various and proper heads are
treated the subject Of lunatic asylums and
he penitentiary. The latter institution has
oeen we'll managed, and for the hfst time
n some years been source OF revenue -
The message devotes considerable space to
county roads, and offers some suggestions
IN that subject. He sees nothing practi-
,able that can be done, the Executive says,
n THIS way 0uC LO 6llOW tbO DoniOo oA NJ | ,
,eryisors to borrow money to improve the
cads. The message has some timely words
.bout county bonds and road laws. Touch.
ng the subject Of Boards of Visitors for
,ubic institutions, the message points out
he difference in the number of the mem
,ers of these and that of the pay All of
hese. he thinks, should be placed on the
anne footing.
MELANCHOLY FACT.
It is melancholy fact, says the ExecI-
i've, that all over the State family burying-
grounds ale passing cut Gf tho possession
# those to whom they are sacred and be
,omirg the property Of strangers. He
links there should be cemeteries in each
nagisterial district, held as public bury
ng ground. The question of whether the
Capitol is to be lighted by gas or electricity
s referred to the Legislature. Objections,
he Governor says, have from time to time
been made to him of the danger of elec-
;rici;y, but he thinks it proper that the
question shall be decided by the Lsgisla-