The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-06-28

A well-known citizen Of Virginia writes
the president of The Times Company the
following letter. which was not intended
for publication, but we take the liberty
OF publishing it. nevertheless:
'Nr. Joseph Bryan. Richmond. Va:
MY Dear Sir'-The poverty of the farm
ers OF this section OF Virginia is incom-
prehensibe to any man who does not
live amongst them. My business has
taken me through this section, back and
forth, up and down. for eighteen months
and 1 know whereof | speak, and some
thing Will have to be done for their
relief. Already the time for the collec-
but this relief Will be too temporary to
be very beneficial. All these people liV-
ing on the border realize the truth and
vention. through which we might get
relief, and know that we are being taxed
certainly twice as high as we should
be. Now you control by far the ablest
paper in Virginia. Nobody that knows
you doubts your honesty or your desire
10 serve Virginia. Why don't YOU there
fore, have all these Virginia and North
Carolina tax and expense questions thor
oughly investigated and published. The
statements and comparisons published.
after examination, In your paper will not
be questioned. and will be widely read
throughout the State. Our people are in
open revolt against the Democratic party
as AT present conducted, though Demo-
Gratis at heart. and under a fair count
will give this section 10 the Third party
You may rely upon il that the only way
70 defeat th4 Third party. and &c. keep
IL from getting entire control of the
State Is ~ reform the Democratic party.
The people generally. and |. tor one. will
not SUPPORT 1t under its present manage
ment. and. in the face Of its failure to
carry out It's promises, or protect the
people. You are in position to do more
toou, proDably than any other man in
me state, and ! call your attention to
that you work for their relief. l am very
respectfully and truly yours.
Danville, Va. June o. 1894.
We are very much obliged to our cor
respondent for his kind references to
The Times. We believe The Times has
deserved TO be thought TO be thoroughly
devoted to the best interests of Virginia
and an earnest friend OF justice and
equal rights for ALL and it will continue
10 deserve approval for pursuing that
course
We fear. however. that our cor
respondent looks now TO The Times for
more than The Times can accomplish.
The poverty of the people to which he
ailudes is thing that cannot be either
cured or aided by legislation. Statute
laws never made an honest dollar for any
man In the history of the world. and
they never Will or can. The Republican
protective tariff laws do enable one citi-
zen of the United States. 1t is true. to
force other citizens Of the United States
20 pay two or three prices for what they
have TO buy. and these laws do, therefore
put dollars into the pockets OF the favored
Americans But they are not honestly
earned dollars. They are dollars which a
government that should treat all its citi-
zens equally and alike EFFORTS from one
uot Of .ts4 60. a..
other set. There is no improvement for
the unfortunate people our correspondent
refers 10 but what is to come To them
from hard and earnest toll and economy
in saving what they make. 1t is sad
that this should be so. but 1t is the law
under which man has TO live.
or course. II our fundamental State
law creates offices and provides for
charges that are unnecessary. we copld
and should hold a convention and remodel |
that fundamental law 80 as 10 Ion orr |
those unnecessary charges and thus give
some case 10 these people. But we ten
our correspondent frankly that we arc
unable TO perceive single point M which
money could be saved by a constituttona1
convention where the same money co,,ld
not be just as well saved by the I,eeisla
ture. And we win say further mar on
state expenses are as small lin onr
opinion as they can well be made. ~
the amendment 10 the Constitution con-
corning criminal charges is adopted Mr.
Mithers speech was totally misleaalng
lie gave the public an impression regard
ing the cost OF government in this state
winch Is not in accordance with ,ba
facts. '"o
We repeat, then. that when VIC sh.u
adopt the amendment concerning cr,m,nai
uiais' we see no other place az which
ei'her the Legislature or coast!tutional
convention can materially reduce the ex.
penses OF our State Government n the
enarges In aid OF public schools are kent
~ "hat tney are. and we do not believe
inc people or the State will consent 70
reduce them one cent
"hsf the county expenses are we do