The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1910-09-30
Treasurers and Commissioners Of
Revenue al Work.

Mr.. EditOr.-Ihe time presses
On Nov. Sth the people of Virginia
will be called upon to decide on
the four proposed changes Of the
present Constitution. From pres
ent indications it looks as if those
who are personally interested IN
the proposed changes are going TO
win out, and are going to win NOT
because of the d~esiraDility OF the
new amendments. but ON account
OF the lethargy and influence ON the
part of those who are not directly
affected by these changes.
The most Objectionable of the
proposed amendments deals with the
county treasurers and commission
ers OF revenue.
The present law based upon a
knowledge of the opportunities the
commissioners and treasurers have
for unduly influencing voters in
their favor, and attempting to guar
antee to the people an efficient gov
eminent conducted without fear or
favor, provides that the treasurer
shall serve only two terms, eight
years. and the commissioner OF rev
enue shall not be his own success
sor.
The proposed amendment provid-
es that no limit shall be placed up
on either as to reelection. 1t is
an attempt to return to the good
old days" when men held office for
Il6 TO 20 years or until death. and
dying were succeeded by their sons.
The following clipping, NOW
being mailed from the headquarters
Of the Treasures and Commission
ers' Association to each treasurer
and commissioner of the revenue in
Virginia" shows clearly that those
who aye to be benefited financial
ly by the change are not Indifferent
but are up and doing:
"Buena Vista. Va,
September g, 1910.
Dear Sir
81. Try to get every precinct
committeeman in line with you, and
if possible the judges and clerks
of election.
20. Have two men besides friend
~ to the amendments at each vot-
ing place to quietly solicit the yot-
es as they come up to the polls and
when possible have one from each
party.
80. Each treasurer should have
printed a number of copies of the
ballot. so marked as to be a guide
10 the voters in marking their tick
cts and a sufficient number OF
those should be in the hands OF
those who agree to assist at the
polls.
a Ask everyone you meet, re-
CARELESS OF party, to vote for the
amendments in which treasurers an'
commissioners are interested, The
more voters you get pledged to it in
this way. the less danger OF op'
position for the ofice. should this
amendments carry.
"5. In having the guides printed
/ see to It that the clauses affectih'
your interests are printed in capt
tails. so as to draw attention and en-
phasize the Importance OF thes
amendments"
o AS to the meaning of getting tn
y Judges and clerks Of election j
= line with you and in what way I'll
y could help in carrying the amend
ments. am free to confess my ign
/ rance. The object OF the Associ'
t. ton. however, is very evident, the
W fight is not for a principle not lo
a measure that will benefit tn
, whole State, but is a fight pure al
: simple for the purpose Of keepin
in office for an indefinite term II
present office holders. No oett'
proof Of this could be wanted Una
is found in section Of this ci
/ / cular.
er If the force of this organizat'
is TO be broken those who are o
,rt nosed to the amendments shou
ge do all possible to bring them 2
slf fore the public. Let the Associ
he ton come into the open and 81
some reasons for the propos
en- change and not rely entirely up.
ms the "getting-into-line' and "quie'
soliciting" methods.
tut Good Government.