Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1906-02-07
SWanSOn'S Address.

dress are well worthy OF close
perusal:
shall endeavor 10 keep in close
touch and accord with the other
executive departments of the State
and earnestly unite with these
officials in giving Virginia an hon
est. economical and efficient admin
istration of affairs. The time has
come when Virginia should forget
factional differences, cease partisan
politics and devote all of her ener-
eies to the development of her re-
sources to the moral and educational
elevation of her people, to internal
Improvement and progress.
A portion of the annual surplus
should be used TO reduce our bonded
Indebtedness. A wise debtor, when
he finds himself possessed of a sur
plus over current expenses, pre-
pares for an eXtinguishment of
portion of his outstanding obliga-
tionS.
As previously stated, insurance
requires consideration at our hands.
The benefits derived from both life
and fire insurance are vast and in
Vulnerable. Insurance is so pro-
motive of public good that it should
be encouraged and no legislation
should be enacted that would retard
its use or proper extension. But
there should be legislation and
supervisor in this State of both life
and fire insurance in order to
secure, as far as possible, the sol
vency of the companies conducting
business here, the clearness of con
tracts and divesting them of am
biguous and misleading statements,
TO obtain reasonable rates, and TO
prevent the rates charged in Vir-
ginia from exceeding those in to her
States possessed of similar condi-
tiOnS.
Another matter demanding legis-
lation is the creation, Jointly or
separately, as may seen better, of
a department of banking and in
surance and the enactment of some
additional legislation controlling
these two businesses in this State.
Dishonest government is that
which, by special favors and priv
ileges, by creationg monopoly,
takes the fruits of the toll of the
many and gives it TO the few. The
laws of this State rs far as possible,
should be such as to prohibit all
monopoly either in the industries
or in transportation and other
privileges. As far as law can per-
NIT, each citizen, whether rich or
poor, high or low, strong or weak,
should have an equal opportunity
IN the struggle of life and stand
equal before the law. The pro-
ductive energies of people are
always at their maximum, the
greatest prosperity exists, when
each receives the results of his own
energy and sacrifice.
Another question inseparably in
terwoven with our development
and prosperity is proper and just
regulation of the railroads and
transportation companies. There
Is not city or section of this State
the future of which is not depen-
dent upon the rate of its freight
charges. Whether the products
OF our farms or factories can find
profitable sale in markets of the
world largely depends on the
freight charges made by the rail
roads. Formerly we could depend
upon the law of competition to re-
gulate and control the rates. But
consolidation and the extension of
the community of interest" prin-
elple among the railroads have de-
stroyed all competition. Railroads
may still compete for business, but
u Is done by others means than
cutting or reducing rates. Com
petition being eliminated as factor
IN liking rates, government must
exercise its authority and see that
The rates fixed are reasonable and
Just. The portion of our commerce
'nat is foreign or interstate can
only be controlled and regulated by
The Federal government. But,
upon traffic confined within the
units of the the State, Virginia has
tHe power to fix the rates. The
exercise of this power in a just,
Conservative and firm way can be
sgreat factor in upbuilding Vir-
irinia