The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-03-17

A Singular Device for Beating the Walton
Law-Nn Nominatioms

STAUNTON, VA, March 16-STecial--
Old Virginia never tires in the produc-
tiCn of candidates for official positions,
no matter how humble the position nor
how meaCre the salary From the time
when the memory of man runneth not 20
the contrary. the average Nirgnian has
been lover Of office-holding. The
spring campaign OF 1885, for the election
OF county officers in the good old Com
monwealth. is no exception TO the rule,
and the enlightened citizen of the day
shows his loyalty and devotion by the
Willingness with which he comes for
word to accept the call Of Fellow cit-
zen" or many voters for any office
within the gift of the people. The pa
trictic heart throbs with nervous anxiety
TO serve the Commonwealth.
The seeming difficulties of the novel
situation as 10 voting under the Walton
law doesn't discourage candidates, and
like the budding of approaching spring
tide, they increase am multiply under
the genial warmth of the approach of
election day
A free-fght seems to be the order OF
the day The leaders seem daZed by the
condition confronting them, and the peo>
pie. stirred by the grand contest led by
The Times, for purity of The ballot
and reform of management and county
before to act for the common good.
IT is the earnest desire to act for the
highest interest Of the people, but just
how it shall be done is the question of
the day The year 1895 promises TO be
a notable one in new Departures in poll
tics.
In the county Of Augusta the Republi-
cans. through their county committee,
have declined TO put up 'aldidates for
hax OF
several township committees the deter>
miration of the question as 10 the town
Min officers. The Popul!sts and Pro-
hibjtionists are too weak 10 cut any
figure in this sort Of fight, and there
will. therefore. be no possible chance OF
a combine of the several factions OPP
posed 10 Democracy. Ii will be night
for friends and the best men and many
old "public servants" may get left In the
general scramble. The Democratic Coun-
tv Committee has not acted. and proba-
! bly, will not.
The axe will be laid at the root of
the tree" but no man cap tell when 1t
candidates already out see the
trouble and snuff the dangers OF
| the "mixtry" of voting the walton
! ballot. They are at sea, but 1t Is each
! man for himself, and the devil take the
| hindmost. Vest-pocket books, giving a
| MAN of the proposed ticket and how the
I,otin,, viii he done, with the potential
| succession "strike out all BDT John
! smith are being distributed by the ac-
| tive canvassers for political .,reIeTiheht l.
| Tho books are useful ana the lueu Is
! taking. 49,. ,oa4
Thore Is a universal opinion that srea'
| confusion is sure TO follow "iu'' 80,
! new Walton law. and just now 10 aNoiu
| it no one has as yet sussesle'u -
There is d demand for amendments 10
tho present law. and that will he one
! of the leading factors in the great Dat
| tie of next fall. .,
| Several districts In Augusta county
| have taken up the matter OF eAp1A9'"
IN State and county admlhis'rd 'ioiI :.
| The fact that the state Treasury pa'u
out the last hscal year largely NOR 'iieI
| il received has attracted d''e ia,','
! everywhere The taxpayers nave VI s@i
| ,zcd climbs and are urging vigorous MEAS
ures" IA reduce the burdens OF taxation
one resolution earnestly protes''
against cxorb.tant appropriations py ui'
slperyisors for allowances TO county vi,
| ncers and pledge their best EFFORTS toi
| ,be reduction of county expenses. ht
| Same feeling exists as TO state expenses
and tl,ere is a general feeling OF unrest
feeling. too. that the condltion Vi 'ii'
| times renders action imperative -
In the reassessment of lands JUS
Chalkley. of the county court ma ts,
measured up to the expectations OF w
peorle. and has made excellent apPol n,,
rents of assessors. Partial Itrcris lioi'
two districts indicate levellng UP y
rates which will in the end not srea'''
| disturb the existing basis.
There is certain feeling that uis
bones will rattle next fall ana an VIZ
cannot stem the tide had as wen ~
,,,anared 10 stand from under. Lay OF
The lash for purity of the ballot ana re
form In state and county finances. AM
the people will speak in no uncertain
voice.