Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1899-12-13

out OF the treasury of the State.
The General Assembly at its last ses
sion Tor the third time opened the door
Tor the funding of the old securitie.
which had not been funded under the
act of February Ia. 1889. or February 90
, 1872. The report of the second Auditor
shows that under the provisions of this
act the holders of $I62, 6l95i of old Sc.
curiiies surrendered and had them fund
ed and received in lieu thereof Ss4.i72
~ of new 2-3 bonds This increases the
century debt to S1s.O02 .OS3.69. As there
Is still outstanding small remnant of
bonds with tax receivable coupons al
'sched, which may continue to annoy
the collectors of the States revenue and
intercept portion of her taxes. would
suggest that the opportunity be again
gwen TO fund these under such condi-
uons as in your judgment you may think
equitable"
In regard to the delinquen, land tax
Governor Tyler says: There has been q
widespread discussion and dissatisfac-
ton concerning the act of the last Leg
lslature providing for the sale of the de-
inquent lands of the State. The meas
ure has been found to work hardship in
some OF Its features and in that respect
should be amended, but at the same time
suitable provision should be maintained
Tor collecting the taxes due the State
Ard as under the harsh measure already
passed, which we must admit WAS better
than no law Al all on the subject the
greatest hardships have already been
passed through by the citizens of the
State, and so far as that law is concern
ed the principal harm has already been
done"
The penitentisry has been carefully
and successfully managed. and has con
tributed 10 the State Treasury the net
sum in two wears of $761O5.
There will be necessity for some meas
ure TO be adopted 10 relieve the crowded
condition Of the State hospitals and to
provide for other afflicted parties who
are demanding admission and proper
csre
All the educational institutions are
doing their work we'll and are in pros
porous condition The report Of The
/ superintendent OF Public Instruction
shows the public schools are making
satisfactory progress
The Governor urges the repair and
preservation of the Capitol of the state
chartered companies OF cornora-
tons. says the Governor. ARE the cren.
lures of State Legislatures They get
their right to exist from such bodies As
your own, while At the same time the
channels of their operations and the ev-
penditure of their energies are marked
out Tor them by your hands You have
the power. not only 10 create such or
CARNATIONS yourself. but also TO regulate
the way in which the corporations Gre
ated by other State Legislatures shall
conduct their business in the State of
/ Virginia.
his power should be most zealouslv
guarded and most conservativelv used
On the one hand, by your failure IN on.
'horlze or create chartered company.
you may lose an opportunity to build IN
your State and bring into life and action
her dormant wealth, ON The other hand
/ 10y too free and unquestioning use NJ
the chartering power, you may give into
the hands of unscrupulous men the IN
Portunity to take away, in remediless
manner some of the dearest rights of
their fellOw-men.
would suggest, as wholesome checks
on the abuses and expressions and
threatening danger from great cornora-
uohs ana combines. certain unmistakable
audltlons 10 the criminal code of our
state, and also that the officers of snch
corporations be held to a strict account
ability for the faithful discharge oftbeir
duties, and for honorable ana Jealous
care OF the interest intrusted to them.
Il would suggest that you enact laws
LOT the violation of which penalties De
prescribed, covering in clear terms those
things which no corporation shall be per-
mltted 10 do in the State Of virginia
Among these criminal acts would Mace
the use OF money by contribution or 9TH
erWlse In elections, or primaries; false re-
turns OF taxable values; the publishing
OF false financial statements bv officers
or directors; illegal combinations 10 OBJ
press a weak competitor and drive him
from rlvaling business These strike
me as being practical suggestions, and if
'hey VIII not entirely solve the so-called
trust question, they will, at least, put
wholesome restraints upon them. OF one
thlng feel sure, that unless some such
safeguards are erected to check and req
uiate 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 holdings con-
hscated, and all the wealth and nower
OF the government concentrated in few
hands and every office controlled at their
dictatIon, then, indeed, will the hone Of
our Republic have expired.
The injury and evil arising from the
assertion and publication of the charge