The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-11-04

As was TO be expected the beWoCi"'S
have swept Virginia and will have fuh
sway in the executive and legislative de-
partments OF state government.
The question now to be considered Is
what will the party do with It's victory
A serious responsibility is upon 1t ana
several important questions are 10 be
dealt with. First Of all is the question
~ economy in the management Of
the States affairs. We have an
extensive machinery and unless
taxes are to be raised, which Is
clearly out of the question, substantial
reductions must be made in the expenses
of government in order that the state
may live within it's revenue and be ready
Ia meet it's increased interest charge
which comes i'm few years. Reforms
can be accomplished and must be accom-
plshed.
1t may be necessary, and we think VIII
DO necessary, TO amend the constitution
I'm certain particulars that these reforms
may be inaugurated. The Legislature
should set about that task courageously
and in q business way without regard to
sentiment or political wire-pulllng. The
model way to change the constitution, os
we have so often observed, is through
amendments originating in the Legisla-
ture and passed upon finally by the peo-
pie. This question should be taken up
as soon as the Legislature meets, and we
think II would be wise to have special
joint committee appointed to take into
consideration the matter OF amendments.
Representative men from oil parts of the
state should be invited to come before
the committee and make such suggestions
as they may deem expedient. We call es-
peclal attention 10 the suggestion which
We here submit that judges Of the courts
and commemorative attorneys through
out the State be requested to make such
recommendations as their experience
teaches them would result in reduction
of criminal expenses. We feel sure that
these gentlemen can give most valuable
information and suggestions along this
line. and we believe that they would
cheerfully do So. IL called upon.
We would like TO see the Legislature do
something for the improvement OF the
public highways. although we are per-
fectly frank 10 say that in our opinion
there is no hope for road Improvement
unless the people are willing TO tax
themselves literally for that purpose.
We would like TO see the Legislature
take up tho question OF sugar beet cul-
ture and do whatever & can to inaugurate
that industry In the State OF Virginia.
We regard this as a matter OF supreme
Importance to the farmers OF the State
as holding out TO them the promise Of
new and profitable money crop.
Last, but by no means least, we do sim
islature will not adjourn until It shall
have given to the people Of this common
wealth q perfectly fair and honest cleo
ton law, a law that shall be beyond re-
proach and beyond suspicion. There can
be no doubt In the minds Of those who
have made the question a study that such
law Is sadly needed In this State and
that there Is public demand for it. The
leaven has been working for years past
and We believe that public sentiment has
a. last crystalized. Let the present cleo
tion law be 80 changed that every
qualified voter shall cast his ballot exact
~ as he intends. and that all ballots
shall be counted and returned exactly as
they were cast. What argument can be
made against that demand?