The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-10-29
POLITICAL HANDBOOK.
SYNOPSIS OF DEMOCRATIC PRIS-
CiPLEs AND PRACTICE.
Something For Every Democratic Voter to
Carry in His Inside Pocket and Think
Upon-saIient Points In Election Law

J.
prove invaluable to all who, for business
or pleasure, have concern with politics. IL
answers in succinct and brief form
the thousand and one APints that come to
the mind Of every officer of election II
not every voter, as often as an election
comes around. In connection with this
leaflet of eleven pages. Major Otey has
prepared a synopsis Of Democratic prin-
ciples worthy Of constant place in the
inside pocket Of every Democratic voter
and when such an one feels dissatished
with the party, he should take 1t out ana
read It and then-think. Major Otey says
Our Principles.
The Democratic party Of Virginia needs
no apologist for its acts in the past; no
sponsor for its promises for the future
| The glorious history Of Virginia Is the
history Of Virginia Democracy. Poiht 20
any good law under which we I'VE anu
we will point to a Democratic Legislature
that enacted. a Democratic Executive
| that enforced It, Point TO bad one ana
we will point to an accidental Legislature
and Executive temporarily in charge OF
the affairs of the Commonwealth.
In such times Of financial depression as
we are passing through there are those
whose opportunity has come. They ever
lay at the door of the Democratic party
| all the Ills that afIlct the land. They
| decry the commendable acts OF others
with the purpose Of stimulating dissatis-
| faction and revolt whilst they are them
selves the outgrowth Of misguided lives.
| They lose sight Of the fact that the high
est patriotism and philanthropy consists
| I'm stimulating their fellow-men TO elevate
and improve themselves, and that the pro-
gress Of the State is dependent on indi-
| vidual energy, industry and virtue.
| a calm and deliberate review OF the
| Democratic administration Of tie affairs
| Of Virginia is not only right, but obliBa-
| tory, on every good citizen.
Analyze the acts Of the Executive,
! the Legislature and the judiciary; dis
| sect them as you may. Wherein have they
! failed to advance the welfare Of Virginia;
wherein have they neglected her children
| or failed 10 subserve their best interestsY
! Wherein have they failed 10 protect the
| honor and sustain the integrity Of the
| Old Dominion?
! The great and perplexing question Of
! taxation has been handled with cOnsum-
mate skill. Where there was a deficit
! there is now a surplus The revenues have
|
| ton; expenditures have been so ecOnOmi-
mically regulated as 10 sanction increased
| appropriations 20 schools, asylGms and
other State institutions which should be
| fostered and encouraged by the Common
wealth
Whilst the assessments or real estate
| have produced $1,000 increase, yet Sll6-
700 Of this increase was from the larger
cities; and whilst the smaller cities and
| towns were embraced I'm the assessment
Of the counties in which they are located,
yet 1t is clear that the balance Of this
| increase, amounting to $4,000, was not
imposed on farming lands.
SO, too, the increased assessments on
personal property was principally in cities
and the larger towns, amounting In all
TO some $4,000
The Increase in all, other assessments
related TO subjects, the assessment on
which did not increase the burdens Of
the farmer, but all Of which tended 10
| relieve him.
The total increase of revenue amounted
to 100000, or about 20 per cent. more than
In 1889, yet not one-half of one per cent.
was added TO the tax on farming lands.
| The tabuated statement which appears
below is significant. 1t should receive
the close scrutiny and attentive study
OF every man who feels an interest in
the affairs Of the commonwealth in which
he lives, IL matters not what his avoca-
ton. Especially should the farmer fail
not to examine with care.
one thing TO which attention is es-
pecially called is the oyster industry.
Under the law now in operation mot
being in force in 1922 the revenue
hltherto not very encouraging, will reach
fully $4,000.
Tax on charters produce $4,000 revenue
when before 1872 they virtually produced
none.
The State debt has been settled on a
basis alike honorable TO the creditor and
the debtor by the consent Of both parties.
and with full satisfaction to each. and
yet showing a dlminution Of fixed annual
charges. The State has paid all arrear-
ages to the public schools, which I'm some
sections had been languishing, and now
appropriates $4,000 annually 90 sustain
them, being an increase Of $4,000 over
the appropriation Of 1859.
The asylums and other eleemosynary in
stitutions had been I'm great need Of
proper support, but through means de
vised and adopted by a Democratic adj
ministratiOn in the commonwealth. large
additions have been made TO the buildings
and S2SS,0O0 appropriated in 1892 70 secure
additional care, comfort and treatment
OF our unfortunate insane. buildings and
Their improvements have been added to
your literary and scientific institutions.
and they are all now on the road 10 in
creased prosperity and greater usefulness.
| Pensions 10 our disabled and dependent
Confederate soldiers 10 the extent OF
100000 are annually paid and $4,000 IS
annually appropriated for the Soldiers
Home, being an increase over 1889 IN the
one Of $35, 900, and the other $4,000 annual
ly. In other words, after paying all Of
our just obligations In the way Of in
terest, expenses and maintenance. we
now appropriate Sl,32S,0OO annually for
the care and education Of our children.
and for the custody, comfort and proper
treatment OF our afflicted. With this
recrd Of the past the Democratic party I'm
Virginia presents itself. with all Of the
promises made four years ago fulfilled,
and claims your support again, proclaim
ing its principles and pledges boldly and
openly, challenging the fullest search and
scrutiny, pointing to its past as a guar
anty Of the future
Party Pledges.
/. It pledges itself TO extend to the pub
lie school system a loyal and generou
support, until every child i'm the Common
wealth shall receive the benefits Of Al
education.
2. To the encouragement OF desirabl,
immigration. and 10 the enactment OF
laws to promote and advance the agri
cultural interests Of the State.
3 To the enforcement OF rigid econom,
In the administration Of the State govern
ment and 10 the revision of the laws regu
lating criminal expenses.
l. To the enactment OF laws equalizin
the assessment of property returned 10
/ III aF fnrs af