The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-27
Ayisi1 TO the House Of Delegates.


Slr-I attended the session OF the House
OF Delegates a few days ago Before the
House was called TO order members were
talking and laughing; a few were chew
ing tobacco. and smoking cigars. cigar
cites or old pipes. SpittOOns were al
every seat the aim was not always
correct Generally they hit the mark
(practice makes perfect, but sometimes
the stream went on the floor. The place
was not very attractive. The efliuVia
from the expectorated tobacco juice, and
the offensive smoke from the burning TO-
bacco. impregnated the atmosphere with
poison. IL was not very cleanly de-
cent place.
levy a tax Of not more than four cents on
the hundred dollars worth OF property
for the benefit OF manned ana disabled
Confederate soldiers. excited much us
cussiOn Some delegates We're exceed
ingly patriotic. Their love for the old
soldier was excessive. with the unlVer-
sally conceded selfishness Of human ma
ture. IL is perfectly wonderful how unset
fish some of the DELEGATES are. M
are willing TO tax the people much more
rather than see the old Confederate sol
der suffer. From the speeches, you
would imagine that they are willing 10
own taxes. and lay down their lives Tor
these men who exposed their lives on the
field OF battle.
Others were opposed 10 increasing the
taxes. These understand tully that lhe
people will not stand any Increase OF
taxation. such an act will produce a
Governor Tyler in his speech of ac-
ceptance M the Roanoke Convention SAID
soon we will have u meet an Increase
of nearly 100000 interest on our public
aebt Our criminal expenses already IN
toierable. are increasing and our Publc
institutions are crying for larger idclH-
ties to care for their inmates
h.. ,f.l.r al Ia
were elected with the understanding ina
they would advocate all proper measures
Of relrenchment and reform. The Gov
ernor. in his inaugural address, Insisted
upon the reduction of taxes.
Some OF these old Confederate soldiers
are not very much MANNED and disabled.
Some Of them are able 10 work Tor a Nv
ing. and. To their credit, are doing SO.
Others are too lazy to work. some oI
them are drunken and worthless men.
soldier from the Soldiers Home asked a
friend of mine for five cents 10 pay MS
fare on the cars My friend refused; ana
ana right. The soldier was drunk WIN
the money spent in whisky. when MADE
him drunk he could have paid his street
car fare II he didn't have any money IN
the first place. the man VINO gave MN
whisky should have paid his fare should
have been fined for tempting the ola SOL
der to debauch himself.
No man has more respect for the worthy
old Confederate soldiers than myself. But
some OF them (thank God they are teNl
do not deserve sympathy or help And
vet all Of us feel like giving them assist
ance. ~,
Many Of the members pay very little
attention 10 the proceedings OF the ses,
sion. Not many speakers can command
the attention of the House. The whip
ping-post bill came up next FOR consld-
Grafton. After much debate, II was re-
ferred 10 a committee.
Many of the delegates have very ten
der hearts The whipping or a criminal
is a cruel. barbarous punishment In their
estlmation and should be abolished.
These same gentlemen favor swinging by
the neck until he is dead. OF murderer,
or OF a man guilty OF other crimes.
In replying to the objection that stripes
disgrace "A man; took away his pride ana
feeling of manhood. delegate said:
How much pride and feeling OF man
hood in the scoundrel who sneaks INTO
your house and steals your overcoat from
the rack? The only feeling he has is in
t,entlemen OF the Legislature. don't be
slaves TO your party. TO public sentiment,
or ~ mammon Advocate the truth be-
cause IL is the truth. Do the right be-
cause IL is the right, And may God bless
Won give YOU the courage Of honest con-
yictions and enable you 10 legislate for
the highest interests OF the grand old
Commonwealth. l.. n. CUTLER.
Louisa Va, Jan. y, 1873.