Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1898-04-07
Communicated

At W dAbWcI, duu
and inuendoes, whilst the most easy
form of attack, are at the same time
the most difficult to meet and notice
My recollection is that the attacks
you have made with one single excep-
ton have not risen to the dignity of a
specific charge, and that exception l
first notice. You have arrogated to
yourself the right to judge, and with
owl like profundity of we'll digested
wisdom, proclaim that the late Gener-
al Assembly was composed of two
classes: 1st-The sharp political scamp
who advocated measures and cast b is
vote as would best advance his politi-
cal and private interests regardless of
the good of the State; and 2d-His
weaker brother who did not attempt
to rise to the plane of statescraft, but
stumbled along in his honest helpless
ness whithersoever fate led.
/ regret that have not at hand
copy of your paper to quote verbatim,
but this Is the substance, and taking
them a body grossly misrepresent the
personel of the Virginia Senate and
House of Delegates.
There were some few whom possibly
your description would fit. But there
were some in both branches, who
whilst they might not measure up to
the high standard of intellectually
and honesty requisite for the sanctum
of a county newspaper, were yet men
of brilliant minds, honesty of purpose
and speakers of no mean order. and
who by reason of these attachments
would not have disgraced or dishonor-
ed any constituency even in National
councils. There were others there
who with no less honesty Of purpose,
seldom or never spoke, but voted every
time and feared not to let the world
know how they voted. The silent man
Is not always the fool, Mr.. Editor, and
occasionally rises even to statescraft.
do not intend this to be in any
respect defense of the Virginia Leg
islature; to my mind it needs none,
but do deem it but just to say this
much of the many with whom l served
during the recent session and among
whom l number many friends.
1t is measures of which 1 wish to
write, not men. 1t is well known that
the members of the last legislature
were elected on the platform of re-
trenchment, economy and reform. and
the simple question at Issue is, did it
or lot measure up to the just and
reasonable expectations of the people
at home. Did it keep the faith, and
as far as practicable redeem the pledg
es made?
The task was not an easy one, but
was hedged with difficulty on every
side, and whilst perfection is not
finite attainment and claimed least of
all as a quality of any legislative body,
I do however submit that the General
Assembly of 1913 went further and
accomplished more in the right direc
ton than any other session III the last
two decades. If this is not q true prop
osition hope you will show wherein
it fails.
The legislature of 1866 by wise
measures has saved the State about
$50, 900 year. Following the same
line the last legislature has endeavor-
ed to still further perfect the laws as
to criminal expenses, and prevent the
high handed robbery of the States
treasury by some Of her officials, as
office; and the saving thus effected
ftwiiii be at II least another 20. Twill
tell you further on why there Was hot
more done right along this line.
A new departure was made, and the
! oyster business of the State was placed
| in the hands of board Of five compe
tent men selected by the Governor
This is and has always been vexa
tious question, and has caused much
muddying of the waters of the Com
monwealth, and those more familiar
| with the subject than the writer, de-
clare that the net income from this
source will not be less than $35, 900 in
crease revenue per year.
Vessels, boats, water crafts of all
kinds aggfegating in value over FIVE
and q half millions of dollars, were
found which had never paid a dollar
tax. These will be listed for taxation
and the revenue collected.
| The General Appropriation Bill as it
passed the House effected saving to
the State of $134, 900. The Senate in
| it's wisdom Or otherwise refused to
concur in this, and the compromise
measure on which the two Houses
came together is a reduction of $780,
600 and saves the State this amount.
This is partial list of the good &C
complished. Much more was attempt
ed and failed. Among the best of these
measures was the proposition to make
| counties and cities pay their own mis-
| demeanor expenses. There are thirty
or more counties in the State which
draw out for criminal expenses tens OF
thousands of dollars more than was
paid in by them. Just here may add
this is matter largely in the hands OF
the County and Hastings Judges OF
the State, and by them a large portion
of it could be remedied.
Why was not more done? An hon.
est effort was made, but turn as we
would we were confronted with that
dishonored relict of the dark days of
the past, the Constitution, which is
like the poor liver dominated soul,
with whose digestion nothing agrees,
and who agrees with nothing or no
body. The Constitution is always in
evidence, and few indeed are the
measures in harmony with old Mrs
Underwood.
l wish to say in conclusion that
what of good was done, was not easy
, to accomplish. While in Richmond
met no Office holder there asking fol
the abolishing of his Office, or reduc
ton of his salary. No personal FRIEND
represented him there asking this.
strong and organized effort opposed
every step. Organized lobbyists were
there representing every avocatioI
!. and corporation, from the railroad tc
the Women's Christian Temperate,
Union. These were there to influence
legislation, some good and some bad
and, Mr.. Editor, little as you suppose
} it required some of that commodit.
the world calls "sandn to always stan(
up for your honest convictions agains
this pressure. One half of the vote O
Augusta county in the House of Dele
gates was intrusttd to me. If it wa
not cast justly and consistently and t.
the best interest of the people wh'
sent me. am here to answer for it.
The platform of the Staunton con
vention which nominated your repre-
sentatives expressed the "unalterabl
opposition to any increase of taxation
for any purpose" If they have beel
recreant to their duty the journal o