Richmond planet., 1898-01-15
vIRGIEIA's CONDITION.
A 0Olored Mans View Of His Naive
State-Disousses the WhiDping
Post and Laws.
BAIrIMoRE. MD Jan. I1th, 1898.

BALTIMoRE. Nh Jan. 11th, 1898.
lt 10 tke custom Of the times to ap-
prove according to the Stand ard laid
down upon which judgement is pre-
dicated
It is difficult to pass Judgement up
on anything without an acute or par
tial knowledge thereof. 1 am one of
those who have from boyhood days
studied the varioCs phases of Virginia,
the state in which 1 first saw the light
and where l spent the early part of
my life, and where first received in
spiration of what expected to make
myself in this life.
have an uniting and never ceasing
interest in the mother state. l am
quick to resent unreasonable and un-
fair attacks made upon her by those
who would make it appear that she is
receding from her former high stand
I ing among other states. have even
made enemies of some of my staunch-
est friends on account of my persist
ent defence OF that grand old common
wealth. All of this is simply the re-
suit of that inbcfn feeling which every
loyal Virginian has for his old home.
With such feeling it is certainly pain
full to observe the backward steps
which she seems to bs making Just
about now. History has informed me
OF her wond erful natural resources,
observation and experience of the faci-
lities with she has TO use them. Her
people are the nOblest. grandest and
the most hospitable found an any state
in the Union. She is we'll supplied in
fertile acres found in her one hundred
counties. She is tich in coal and min
erals, has fine soil for the best grades
of tobacco, has valuable water mains,
in which are found excellent bottoms
for the culture of oysters. and yet she
seems TO be on the decline, il not she
| is surely standing still, for we fail TO
observe any progress.
The people Of this magnificent state
over htteen years ago, saw the error
into which they had fallen by the in
auguration OF the lash as a penalty for
petty offences The conservative press
of the state, being ably seconded by
the best brain ana people, commenced
a crusade against this inhuman and
barbarous practice. IL could not stand
the strength OF its opponents, and fin-
ally was scratched of the statute books
much to the credit of the state
But again we hear 8 sound, which
has found its way into the Legislature
IN " hich it is espousing the cause OF
the degrading institutioR(the whipping
1 BCoAt 0A4DOGt 4lbkIAO6U the
fair name of the state during its for.
mer existence. The sound is the re-
suit OF few scattering things known
as brain l?) at work in the Uranium OF
one who Is dignihed by the term leg
islator. This object of curiosity, (foI
surely he is) actuated by prejudice has
introduced bill in the Legislature tc
Ss-establish the whipping-post; and il
fathering 1T along under the disguise
Of state Economy SO as to shield lts
real purpose.
1t is carried before q committee
composed of intelligent CD men anC
is tavorably recommended. 1t may
meet its doom in that conundrum
but that is hardly probable. This il
not all.
The present election law of the stats
is honestl disgrace. Ithasn't ever
the resemblance of Justice. There il
nothing more shameful TO observe thar
an election in Virginia. A good elec
tion law Is one of the pressing demandl
of the state in order tor il TO keen pac,
with progress and other enterr-;sin:
states. The expenses attending tn,
administration of justice are entire.
too large.
In faes The whole judiciary system
could l'e reformed with credit anC
profit to the state. Take the state OIL
The whole she is in a pretty bad con
: dition. The taxes are the worse eve
. heard of. With poor set of legisla
tors, and governor olinging TO tn,
theories OF Is yam, no good is antici
pated from that source. But the bod,
polite (the people, are the owners o
! the state aad as such holds the key {,
the situation. We suggest that the,
! should rise en- masse and call for
/ ! constitutional Convention in wbicl
? the many evils which defect the stat
/ could be remedied. Some think tina
? they are not remediaDIe, but / hol,
1 the opposite opinion. Let she goo
! people do their duty and the evils com
} p!ained of will soon disappear.
JOHN +. BOARD.