Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-12-07


offlcers dealt with criminally. II sucl
: evils should obtain II would soon be i'm
, possible for worthy men Of moderat
means to hope to successfully aspire 4
| elective positions. II seems to me tina
| law that prevails in some States, re
Quiring itemized statements Of election
expenses, should be exacted of all candi
dates for Office In this State. Politics
which should be the noblest study o.
noble minds, can be nothing more thar
an ignoble scramble between corruption
funds. unless the Illegal use of money In
elections is punished by disgrace and i'm
prisonment.
HAVE FAIR ELECTION RETURNS.
The accuracy and fairness OF our cleo
ton returns should be above suspicion
After the votes are deposited the citizens
should have mistaken confidence in the
truth and accuracy of the returns. Such
returns should be like Caesars wife.
above suspicion" 1t is largely I'm your
power to accomplish this by the selection
of the men you put In charge OF the law
and OF the conduct of the elections. |
doubt very much IL II is IN the ingenuity
of man to devise plan for secret bal
lot which. In the hands OF INSCRIPTIONS
| men, may not be subject to abuse and de-
| ception. Ii largely rests in the indi-
| vidual character OF the separate judges
of elections, and any complaint or indict-
| ment against the accuracy and fairness
| of the election returns Is a complaint
| against the integrity and honesty OF
| the citizens in charge of the same Here
| again you can provide for the taking of
testimony and can grant by your enact
ments ample opportunity for vndlcation
or conviction.
Many unjust complaints on this score
arise from political animosities. But Il is
only just to his good name, to give the
judge who performs this thankless task
an opportunity to Enthusiastically vindicate
himself, and to stop the cry and clamor
of tho detractors of himself and his
State. Hence a man laying a charge of
this kind should be given full and ample
opportunity to sustain it.
FAVORS a SENATORIAL PRIMARY.
While am aware the question Of elect
ing United States senators by direct vote
of the people is. primarily, national
one, and that the most satisfactory
means Of obtaining this would be
through amendments to the Federal Con
stitution; still experience has shown, and
the belief is firmly fixed in the minds of
the people, that there is but little, II amy.
hope for a change through congressional
action, and relief, II it comes, must come
through the State legislatures. That
there are a large majority of the people
of Virginia In favor of some mode where
by they can give expression of their
choice on this important office as they do
IN the case OF all other OF their repre-
sentatives. both State and national is 50 !
manifest that | do not suppose IL will be |
cOntrOyerted, and as the election Of
United States senator is so intimately |
interviewer with our State affairs | feel |
that it is not improper for me TO call the J
attention of the Legislature to this ques-
ton.
l do not feel that 1t is necessary, If. in /
deed, 1t would be proper, for me to set |
forth at length why such a change is de-
sired, and why it should be adopted.
IL is certainly more i'm keeping with
our republican institutions that the peO-
pie choose directly their representatives.
Then, too, ia the election Of a senator
were removed from the Legislature the
representatives would be chosen more
especially because of their known views
on matters Of State interest and impor-
lance and not as there is danger Of I'M
der our present system, because of their
preference for certain candidates for the
United States Senate, thus subOrdinating
and preventing an expression of the peo-
PIC Oh matters VI lliiboIidu'c W tiiclt
material interest which may come up for
legislative action.
While / am glad to say that Virginia in
he past has been free from some of the
legislative scandals that have attended
he election OF United States senator's IN
recent years in some of our sister States.
still We must realize that there is danger
II such occurrences. since like causes
produce like results.
The reasons are so manifold and con-
vincing, and it is so evidently the desire
# our people, that | earnestly recon-
mend that the Legislature pass a general !
primary law, whereby the people can vote I
lirectly on their choice for United States {
enator. and have the same safeguards
md assurances that they have In other {
general elections that their wishes will )
De properly recorded. {
| fell sure that the wisdom of the {
legislature can devise a law that will !
1--WE entire satisfaction 10 all of our peo- a
be. No doubt the experience of our sis G
or States that have resOrted to this me- ;
hod will be OF value I'm framing the bill. =
HE COMMISSIONER OF AGRICUL- y
TURE. y
| invite especial attention to the able =
nd comprehensive report Of the Commits q
ioner OF Agriculture. Were it not that -
~ space II necessarily limited, j WOull | .,
blow my natural inclination and dwell q
{ length on many matters pertaining 10
he great farming interest OF the State. :,
rejoice. however, that our able and eff a
lent Commissioner has so fully and elan :,
rately treated the many subjects 10 ! >,
hich he has called attention. He has | \
wen most interesting and valuable sug- :
astions and | am sure his recommended q
Ons will have your most careful, and. 1 .
ope favorable. consideration. Agricul- .
ire should be the nobest and most dig "
fled OF all callings. 1t is the grandest "
all arts, and Is, i'm fact. the basis of u
| others. 1t has had its beginning i'm all d
untries with the first dawn Of civil -
tiOn. 1t employs greater number OF -
)eratives than any other calling. 1t con-
ices more to national prosperity and the
elfare OF all classes. 1t gives energy TO
e mind, and health to the body; and, "
'oye all things. most promotes temperate
I'd virtuous habits. and is conducive 10
lOwledge and purity Of moral character | m
hich are the pillars of all good govern Is
ent and the true support OF national Ia
dependence, and as class has ever fur of
shed to nations their truest patriots, M
III deserves at the hands OF all law j.
lking powers the stimulating. and M
influence Of legitimate pro- vi,
,tion and healthful encouragement 1t 10
III be admitted that the farmers are not n,
jOying that measure of prosperity that "a;
claimed for those in other lines OF ,ei
dustry, and they especially deserve 20
tention at this time. We have vast
cas- of land uncutivated, to which i'm -
gration should be invited, and, IL the "
partment is properly supported with ~
nds, much can be done in this direc- ue
m.