The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-01
THE WORK OF THE LEGISLATURE.

does give abundant freedom for po'h'
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THE WORK OF THE LEGIsLaIthh
The Legislature of Virginia VIII con-
vene to-day at noon and there IS serious
work 10 oncage the attention OF the
members. Important offices are TO be
filled and difficult problems OF hnahce
are TO be solved. Provision must ID
made for the increased interest charges
which the state will soon have to pay
and I'm order 10 reduce the expenses on
government it will be found necessary,
no doubt to amend the constitution In.
several particulars, making considerable
changes. perhaps in our court system.
The oyster interests OF the state must
he looked after 50 that the State may
get larger revenue from that source.
There is an imperative demand that bet
ter quarters he given to the convicts In
tho pcritentiary. the highways OF the
staJe must be improved, and there is a
strong sentiment throughout the entire
commonwealth for such changes in our
election laws az shall insure a free ballot
and an honest count.
These arc all matters Of great impor-
tance and must have the serious con-
sideration OF the Legislature. We are
willing TO believe that the members
many Of whom are serving for the first
term in the General Assembly, have
| come UP fresh from the people with a de-
| termination Faithfully to discharge their
duties. and without regard to partisan
politics, pursue such a course as shall
best promote the interests Of the whole
people.
We understand fun well how difficult
it win be to solve these problems. There
has been a great clamor for reduced eX-
penses ana where so many interests are
to be considered we quite understand
how difficult it will be for the Legisa-
ture to make such reductions In our
own city Of Richmond we have had to
wrostle with this problem and those gen
tIemon who have labored so industriously
! in Richmond's behalf will tell their breth-
rem I'm the Legislature that the solution
Of such a problem is by no means easy.
We say in advance. therefore, in be-
half Of the Legislature that the people
must not expect too much. Enthusiast
! tic advocates of a constitutional conven-
| ton made all sorts Of claims as to great
reductions that could be accomplished
through a new constitution. Compare
| sons were made with North Carolina in
which long lines of figures were brought
| forth 20 show how much more expensive
our own state government is than that
Of North Carolina. The figures were
plausible but after looking as we'll as we
| could into the subject We were con-
WINGED that the claims Of these gentle
men were greatly exaggerated
We DO believe, however, that progress
can be made in the direction of reform
and if the Legislature will appoint a spe-
oial committee whose members shall adj
| dress themselves to this work early IN
the session. inviting judges and common
wealths attorneys and others who thor
| OUEllX OnHtlSldlu AilD 'HhAN |'f"NN'+
! appear before the committee and make
recommendations, court expenses can be
greatly reduced.
We believe that there is enough OF in
| telligence and patriotism in the Legs
| lature to meet all these questions fairly
| and frankly and to dispose of them hon
estly and courageously. 1t Is easy to
| stand on the outside and criticize, and
| each individual citizen seems to regard
| himself as the censor of Legislative con-
| duct. But The Times is not disposed 10
meet the Legislature in any such spirit.
| We propose faithfully to chronicle In our
| news columns the proceedings Of that
body and in dealing editorally with the
| various measures that may be offered we
shall do so in a spirit Of fairness, politely
criticlzing where we find fault and sim
cerely commencing where we find merit
and the Legislature is assured in adj
| vance that in all efforts honestly TO pro-
mote the welfare Of this commonwealth
it shall have the sympathy and the moral
! srnnort OF The Times.