Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1901-03-06
MIR. Moore D,fi1eS His Position
TCONMUNIcArEDl


ent State Constitution. Ia view of
The fact that the democratic party
has not declared its policy on thIs
subject, except IN "a general vav, 1t
does not seem 10 me TO be wise for
gentlemen Who are candidates for
seats IN the convention to form irou-
clad opinions as to the details of the
work OF tina. LOdy; but that on the
other hand The delegates should AS
SemOle with their minds prepared to
adopt the changes in our present or
gauic law which, after full and
frank exchange of opinions among
themselves. seem TO be best. AuI
other course will but multiply issues
between those who, for the general
good and intereSt OF the State, should
work in harmony.
| have heard IL asserted that our pres
ent Constitution was plant of foreign
growth. transplanted from the State of
Massachusetts. and thrust down the
/ Threats OF the people of Virginia at the
I point of the hayOnet, and that therefore
the whole instrument should be set aside
and new constitution framed ANY
one who will take the trouble 10 exam
me into the subject will find that this
assertion * far from correct. On the con
trarv, II will DE found that fully five
/ SiNths OF our constitution is identical
/ with the constitution that went into
/ force I'm 1891. which In a large measure
| was but q readoption Of the two consti
/ buttons that had preceded IT, While the
/ changes made by the Underwood con
/ vention were hut few in number, some
/ OF them are radical i'm their nature. and
/ Will doubtless he modified or entirely
/ ahrOgated by the coming convention. In
/ seems o. me that the general line 10 be
/ followed 10y the convention should be To
/ preserve SO much OF our present consti-
/ tuition a. after thirty odd or more wears
/ OF trial, has proven satisfactory 10 the
I people, and 20 reject such parts as have
/ proven unsatisfactory; and 10 avoid
making changes merely for the sake Of
/ change.
The call for the approaching c0nven
/ tion was for he expressed purposes Of
modifying The right of suffrage. and OF
/ introducing more economic admins.
trati0n Of The Government. ON these
matters ann entirely I'm accord with my
/ party. In dealing with the suffrage cues
/ tions due regard must be had 10 the Con
/ siituiion of thc Dnited States. and all
/ agree that 10 i "a work of great difficulty
| do not doubt, however that some plan
\ can and will be hit upon by the conven
/ ton that will he for the interest Of the
/ people Of the State. and at the same time
/ will avoid the difficulties presented b,
| the Federal Constitution.
/ With the respect 20 economy In State
/ administration, | believe there is no
| claim that any of The officers Of the gov
| eminent are paid excessive salaries
| Economy here must be sought. therefore.
/ 10y Topping of such Offices AS experience
/ has shown 20 Zoe unnecessary. As all OF
/ fees are or should be created solely foi
efficiency in administering the govern
ment. wherever IL can be shown that an,
ot them can be dispensed with, without
| impairiug its administration. the conven-
! ton should abolish them II shall be a
| member OF The convention I will give
/ my hearty support TO such course
| Regard should likewise be had TO a
more uniform system for the assessment
! Of property for taxation. Our present
| system Is very defective and unjust in
! lis operation We have in the state
/ about one hundred and fifty assessors
\ each of whom acts upon his own iudg-
/ ment, without regard 10 the action Of
! the others. and with no common stand
! The result Is that in some sections OF
| The State She assessment is much lower
/ than In others. and that, without regard
| 10 The relative value of the property.
/ TINS depriving he State Of its Just rev
enue, and working great injustice 10 the
/ people of certain sections. includine
| those OF this county. | think there
/ should he created a Board for the
/ Equalization ofASSessments, so that some
standard may be furnished the local a.
SCISSORS, and equality OF assessment Sc
cured
The frequency Of elections is a subieci
/ Of great and just complaint, and | see
| no reason why this should not be cor
rected by provision for holding cleo
/ lions for State, county and district off
| GERS at the same time The present
/ constitution provided for holding State
| and county elections at the same time
/ hut when the South was menaced with q
! Federal Force Bill and with the presence
! Of Federal soldiers at the polls, the
! Democratic party of the State amended
| IL so as to separate County and Stat
| elections. The reason for this change
| having been removed, theinconvenience
and expense of double elections should
he done away with
The present able member of the House
| OF DelegateS from the county OF FredeT-
| lex introduced at the last regular session
Of the General Assembly a bill, prOvid
ing for the payment by each county Of
The expenses incident to the trial OF all
misdemeanOrs committed therein.
consider this wise and Just measure
and should be glad 10 see it grated on
the constitution. | also approve of
provision that each county shall bear
The expense of the public schools with
IN its own limits. and not be taxed for
the schools of other counties.
The appointment of county superin-
tendents OF public schools should,
think. be made by the voters of the re-
! spective counties. and Of school trustees
nv the voters of the various school dis
tricts
The dangerous and rapidly growing
| evil Of combinations of capital, for the
purpose Of enhancing the cost to the
! people of the necessaries Of life, should
he dealt with with firm hand, and so
far as it NAV be prevented or remedied
hv constitutional provision, it should be
! lone. This subject will doubtless re
ceive due consideration by the Conven-
| tion