Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1906-01-11

ttOutlUeu from rage ].
mat Commonwealth's attorneys shall
he required to report at least quarterl,
TO the Acknowledgement the STYLE of
every cause, civil or criminal. together
with the disposition of each cause.
tried in his court.
Confederate Battle Flags.
The Confederate battle nays which
nave been returned to the State nv
the United States government should
ne under continuous official care. and
deposited in some Gre proof receptacle
adequate for the indefinite prescrva
ticn of these emblems of the courage
and self-sacrince of our people in days
Of war. I am constrained to believe IL
is only necessary to invite your atten-
non To this subject that proper legis-
lation may be afforded.
Primary elections are the evolution.
ary growth Of democracy as admin.
istcred by parties, but snch n system
is Of little practical good unless legal
iIcj by effective safeguards Not only
should the expense, which is moi :;
trge Item, for the conduct of the
primary be borne by the State. bui
what is of far more importance the
selection Of Judges should be legally
provided for in a way to secure thcii
unquestionable impartiality ana fidel
!ty. The genius of our institutions de
nands the fairest and frccst opportu
nifty for the exercise of the ballot b.,
those possessing the privilege No
hing can he more disastrous to our
government than an unfair or fraudu
lent election, primary or regular. Bu;
II Is not alone necessary that elections
should he actually fair; it is almoS; al
equal Importance that the people
should believe them To be fair. aud.
therefore, their whole administration
should be removed from every sem.
hlonce of Partially, III order that the
purity of the ballot may he sustained
by public confidence which can never
be fully attained if election officials
are all taken substantially from enc
Jarty or from one organization OF
DartiRans.
Cause For Alarm.
The excessive use of money in elec.
lions should excite the alarm of all
patriots, and l would, therefore, urge
Legislation net only prohibitory of all
campaign contributions by corpora.
ions, hut Of the right of doing bust
ness by any corporation which make;
my contribution directly or Indirectly.
II or without the State. for the purpose
II influencing any election in this
state, primary or regular.
Mere prohibition of campaign con
tributions on the part OF home corpu
atoms is futile. Many of our larg
est corporations are owned or CONTROL
ed by foreign corporations, and il i:
apparent that great commercial inter
:sts are exercising an undue influence
N the election or appointment Of
public officials by the illegal or Grim
mai use OF money throughout the Sev
aral States. Virginia should assume
The offensive against all corrupt ani
destructive forces which may be exer
Used for the dSgradatio nof her pol
tics.
comprehensive statute forbiddina
the payment OF capiLation taxes by
other than the individual assessed
should be enacted. The payment @.
poll taxes by others than tho either
by whom the tax Is due, not only en-
courages, but is prolific source 81
bribery. ] would also recommend tn
permanent disfranchisement of an,
voter who sells his ballot for none,
or place or any other valuable consid
Grafton, without limitation of time
within which prosecution may be In.
Stitutcd.
Public Education.
There has been greater popular in
tcrest taken in public education in tho
past four years than perhaps in tho
entire history of tho State. During
this time the welfare and progress III
our free schools have elected as never