Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-24
0. II. Berry & Co.
vIRGINIA's EXPENSES.
A Writer Who styles Himself q
st-Democrat" Gives His
Views.

MOSSingIOTu, va
TO the Editor of the Dispatch:
l seriously fear that we Popullst-Demo-
Gratis do not realize the gravity of the
situation. While we are looking about
for fresh subjects Of taxation" the Re-
publicans have taken up the cry Of re-
irenchment and reform, and bid fair to
give our State ticket a "throat-latch
race" Fresh subjects means add
tional taxation, and the people are in no
mood for that. The prosperity which
We read about in the papers has not
yet reached this section. How much bene-
tit will the people of Virginia derive from
the advance in the price OF wheat. when
We do not make as much as We con-
sumo? Some parts OF the state Lave
suffered from a severe drought, result
Ing in a failure OF crops. Instead oil
selling at the advance prices, some farm
erx are buying seed.
III India refuses 10 open her minis to
the free coinage of silver, the mission
OF Senator Walcott is a failure. and the
settlement OF the money question goes
over to 1900 VIII the klondike lift the
situation? Otherwise We must meet IN
creasing expenses with diminishing as
sets. How are you going TO do III The
Democratic party has not risen yet to
the height of the argument. The eyes OF
our party leaders are set In the backs or
their heads. They are,telling us OF what
they have done in the past. What the
people want TO know is: What are you
going TO do in the future? How will you
lift the situation? Do you mean 10 patch
UP the present Constitution, which Is
hateful to the people of Virginia looking
for new subjects of taxation to tide us
over the breakers Immediately in front
Of us, or do you mean to give US new
Constitution. adapted TO the present
wants and condition OF the State-the
new social political. and economic con-
| ditions which have been evolved during
the past thirty years? IL the former
| then We are marching straight TO pont-
| lcal and financial cataclysm. L cannot
| conceive of course more suicidal for the
Democratic party or frausht with great
| er danger to the people OF this State.
| A CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
| To my mind retrenchment and reform
under the present Constitution are I'M
possible. and for the Legislature which
we will elect on I'd November to attempt
to make a new Constitution is equally
| impossible-i. e., II we are to look 10 that
| Constitution to give us relief How long
| will IL take US to get one made and into
| operation by that means? IL everything
| goes through without hitch anywhere
| II might be accomplished in six years. In
additional TO the multiplicity OF other
things which this Legislature Is bound
| to do, they will have 10 put new cioth
| into old garments, and new wine into
| old bottles which the next Legislature.
elected in 1897, must accept mem. con.
| Then in 1900 you will submit II TO the
people for their ratification or rejection,
| but even II ratified. new Legislature
| will have to be elected under it to adjust
| the legislation OF the State TO the
| changed condition, which will carry us
| IN 1902 before we can get any benefit
from our new form OF government. All
| of this time we are living under a Cons'l-
| tuition which is costing us $4,000 per year
more than is necessary. Do you think
| the Democratic party can live through
| their penny wise. pound foolish economy
| To save the SIS 900 which II Will cost 10
| call a convention and make new Con-
stitution, they subject US TO an unneces-
| sary tax OF from two to three millions or
| dollars by keeping US under this Consti-
| ton five or six years longer than neces-
| sary!
things. that the cohesive power OF public
| thunder will not hold the rank and file
| under control? The centrifugal forces In
.ha marty are stronger than the centri-
| retai-the cohesive power Is gone, and
when the party bosses crack their whips
| over the MASSES, instead OF falling into
| line they back thei ears and switch
! their tails.
| Although we have great many un-
| necessary officers under this Consvtu-
| ton. which makes the duties OF each one
| extremely light. yet, by special legisia-
| tion or through the County Court or
| boards OF supervisors. they have managed
| 40 have their salaries increased or sup
,Ismerted despite the shrinkage In values
and the Increased burdens imposed upon
| the people by unjust and unnecessary
| taxation. Who is responsible for this
| condition OF things? The people have got
| tbeir ewes opened at last, and they are
very much fatgued.
| THE Democrats have not yet made up
| ,hetr minds as to what they are going
] N do They are willing TO reform. but
| don't know how They concede that ex-
| nenses must be retrenched, but they don't
| know where. The where, when. and how
seems to bother them.
| CIT DOWN EXPENSES.
| The Populists and Democrats OF this
1 county ioined hands and nominated can
| didates pledged TO meet tne increasing
expenses OF government. without In
creasing taxation. This Legislature must
| moke provislon for the increased interest
an the state debt. or you must have an
extra session next year. which will cost
- much as a convention. If the work
Of retrenchment and reform is left for
the Legislature. which is to be elected in
,sse Il will be too late to make provision
for interest on the debt. and the failure
OF the dominant party to meet this issue
means inevitable defeat.
But. II the Dss"v rns,nsss s"I :, ms, go.
,sll,ng us about what 1t has done In the
nsst. and tell US what II Is going to do
~ the future. Dragging and Boosting
about what you have done for the free
schools. the old scldiers and asyiums.
viii not pay the interest on the State
debt: nor wiz the bondholders take the