Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-12-07


such organizationB yourself, but also to
regulate the way, lnss w hich the corpo-
rations created by other State leglsla-
lures shall conduct their business = In
the state Of Virginia.
This power should be most zealously
guarded and most conseryatiyely used:
| On the one hand, by your failure 10 au-
you may lose an opportunity to build
up your State and bring into life and
action her dormant wealth. On a. the
! other hand, by too free and unques-
tfoning use OF the charteripg power,
you may give into the hands of unscru-
pulous men the opportunity to take
away, In IL remedies manner, some OF
the dearest rights of their fellow men.
We ure confronted with changes of
most stupendous character that are go
| ing on In the worlds Industrial affairs.
A struggle mighty In power and .prin-
] ciple is forming between the citizen,
| with all his rights and privileges, on
the one side, and collectiyism or COM
| binisn, with all Its threatened evils, on
! the other. What the result of this con-
| test will be, or what is the practical So
| luton of the problem, we cannot fore
see; nor am I able to point out rem
edy entirely satisfactory to myself
would suggest as wholesome checks
on the abuses and expressions and
| threatening danger from great corpor-
| ations and combines certain unrnis-
| taxable additions to the criminal code
OF our State. which had the honor to
recommend in my inaugural address
| delivered before the last legislature,
and also that the officers of such corr
pora tons be held to a strict accounts
bility for the faithful discharge of their
duties, and for honorable and jealous
! care of the interest entrusted to them.
would suggest that you enact laws
TO: the violation of which penalties be
prescribed covering in clear terms
those things which no corporation shall
| be permitted to do in the State of Fir-
ginia. Among these criminal acts l
would place the use OF money by con-
tribution or otherwise In elections, or
primaries; false returns of taxable
values; the publishing of false financial
| statements by officers or directors: lille
| gal combinations to Cypress n weak
| competitor and drive him from a rival
| ing business. These strike ME as being
| practical sugg eStions, and If they will
! not entirely solve the so-ca1led trust
| question, they will, at least, put wholse-
some restraints upon them. OF one
thing feel sure, that unless some such
safeguards are erected to check and
regulate the power and influence of
| these grasping combines the people will
soon become their manacled slaves.
| Should the private and political rights
| OF the people be destroyed. their hold
ings confscated in a few hands. and
every Office controlled at their dicta-
| ton, then indeed, will the hope of our
republic have expired.
BUYING VOTES.
| The injury and evil arising from the
assertion and publication of the charge
| of buying votes, and controlling cleo
| tionS in the State by the use OF money
and corporate influence is growing 10
an alarming extent. Especially is this
the case In regard TO county and mu-
nlcipal elections.
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,
vindicatc himself and 10 step the cry
and clamor of the detraetors OF himself
and his State. Hence Il man laying u
charge of this kind should be given full
and ample opportunity to sustain it.
SENATORIAL PRIMARY.
While / am aware the question of
clecting United States Senators by di-
rect vote OF the people, Is, primarily. q
factory means OF obtaining this would
be through amendment to the Federal
] Constitution; Still experience has shown
ana the belief is firmly fixed in the
minds Of the people that there is but
| little if any hope for change through
Congressional action and relief, IL it
comes, hnust come through the State
legislatures That there are a large ma
jority OF the people of Virginia in favor
| of t1NoH WI he .
expression OF their choice on this i'm
portant office as they do in the case of
all other OF their representatives.. both
| state and National, is so manifest that
DO not suppose it will be controverted,
and as the election OF n United States
Senator is so intimately interviewer
WITH out State affairs l feel that it is
not improper for me to call the atten-
! ttoa of the legislature to this question.
do not feel that it is necessary, If,
indeed, 1t would be proper for me 10 set
torth AZ length why such a change is
desired. and why 1t should be adopted.
IL Is certainly more in keeping with
our republican institutions thai the pco-
Pie choose directly their representa-
ives. Then. too. II the election OF a
senator were removed from the Legis-
iature The representatives would be
CHOSEN more especially because OF their
known views on matters OF State In
terest and Importance, and not, as there
is danger OF, under our present system.
because of their preference for certain
candidates for the United States. SEN
ate. thus subordinating and prevent
ing an expression of the people on mat
ters OF Importance to their material in
.erest which may come up for legisla-
| tive action.
While am glad to say that Virginia
IN the past has been free from some of