Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1898-03-10
Plutocracy In Virginia.
Richmond Times.

Richmond Times.
1t is truly distressing that the glory Of
the Bailey visit to Richmond should be
"sicklied Ger with the pale cast" Of an
expense account.
Mr.. Bailey was brought down to Rich
mond by his free sivers admirers that he
might addles the people and tell them
how they had been impoverished by the
"crime of 1878"
And right well did he discharge his duty
He proved to them by the figures that
gold had appreciated in value, so that
every dollar in the land was now worth
200 cents, and convinced the members Of
tie General Assembly that they were in
fact receiving IS day for their services,
and that the salary of Congressman of
S., 900 year nominallv was really asalary
of $40, 600, which the impoverished peo-
pie were forced to pay. 1t was truly a
calamitous picture that Mr.. Bailey drew.
And now it turns out, alack-aday, that
in coming down to Virginia to tell the
people of their poverty, Mr.. Bailey and
his friends rode in private car, and upon
their arrival in Richmond they were re-
ceived with many demonstrations Of joy,
and brass band, and were entained at
the most expensive hotelin the city. And
the impoverished State of Virginis, which
is not able to keep up its apprc priations to
its public institutions, or lis salaries to
officers, was called upon to foot the bill
for all of these luxuries.
1t is strange that there has been a pro-
test? l. not q private car regarded as
distinctly plutocratic? And is it possible
that the calamity shouters will encourage
plutocracy even to the extent Of contri-
buting to it's maintenance Well may
the Populists protest against such a de-
parture.
Seriously, it is to be regretted that the
question of paying the expenses of a gen.
tleman who visited Richmond in response
to an invitation from the Legislature
should have been made the subject of
public debate. The whole thing was in
delicate and in wretched taste, Virginia's
hospitality is proverbial, and that repre-
sentative Virginians should have gotten
into wrangle over the payment of an
expense account incurred in the enter
tainment of guest of the State is deplor-
able
1t was all due to a mistake which was
made in the beginning. Before the invita-
ton was extended the matter of expense
should have been settled, for it cannot be
denied that it is not proper that the Cen
eral Assembly invite at the expense Of the
State any gentleman to visit the Capita!
City and make a political address. On
any other subject the case would be diff
ferent, but is is clear that Mr.. Bailey was
invited to Richmond to help the cause of
the political party which he represents,
and it is not unnatural that those of diff.
ferent political utilization should object to
using the States revenues thus to advance
the interest of a political party in oppo-
sition.
Suppose the case had been reversed and
Republican Legislature had invited a
Republican orator to come to Richmond
and preach the gold standard.
Mr.. Bailey's friends might have known
that some such objection would be raised
and should have provided in advance
against the contingency by raising the ne
cessary money by private subscriptions.