The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-11-05

mon Peter drew his sword and snote
1 Malchus, the servant OF the high priest,
4 and IND. cut off his right ear. the command
was given:5.Iu up thy sword into the
she tn. That was the right thing for
!. (, simon Peter to do, and the Governor
VIII take It from US that 1t was far
from becoming in him to engage in
harsh language with drummer In an
omnibus about anybody like Butler,
\ Suppose he had carried out HIS evil
IDENTIFY serious purpose of knocking out
the teeth OF John Smith, from Nir-
I GINA" what would that have profited
him and how would it have settled
the casus belli between him and the
drummer? Now, II he were to call
Marion Butler liar and knock out
Marion Buffers teeth, he would have
the satisfaction at least of having
performed a public service.
WHY VOTE AGAINST THE AMEND
MENTs:
In concise and convincing form, Mr..
VIM. NJ McAlllster. a well known at
torney-at-law practiclng in Allegheny
and Bath counties. mas set forth in q
letter to us the reasons which impel
him to oppose each and every one OF
the proposed CONSTITUTIONAL amend
ments which are. to be voted upon by
the people on Tuesday. While he does
not, as he says, give all the reasons
against these changes. he gives a sur
tlcient number Of them. Some OF these
have already been advanced by The
TImes-Dlspatch and Its contemporaries
who concur in its opposition to these
changes. but repetition can do much
good and no harm. With the perm1s-
sion Of Mr.. McAIlister. we reprint the
reasons for his opposition to these pro-.
posed amendments:
I. Because the present Constitution
was made by the best talent In the
State. and has not been In force long
enough to test Its real merit, but has
proven itself great blessing to our
state and should not be mutilated by
selfish and designing politicians Tor
their own private gain.
2 County and city treasurers should
not be eligible to- the office OF County
or City Treasurer Tor more than two
terms in successlon. Il
Ca) Because after two terms of four
years each they Will have accumulat-
ca by Indulgence to taxpayers, usually
personal frienus and supporters. a
large amount OF unpaid taxes which
VIII require many months for tneiIacol-
lection. and the outgoing treasurer
should devote his cnr1re time to this
work for the protection OF the county
or city. his sureties and himself.
Cb). Because the mere fact or SUCH
accumulation OF unpaid tax bills and
ms continued Indulgence OF delinquent
taxpayers gives him an undue intlu-
cree for reelection to office. and ar
fords him an unjust advantage over his
icompet!tors. " u Is
(c) Because the history of many or
/ me counties IN this and othersState s
SHOWS tina, long. continued service IN
oilices Of tails character results multi.
mate financial loss and ruin, both 4 to
tine counties and to individuals.
ld) Because long terms In offices or
Inns character are contrary to the spirit
] q our Tree institutions, and Scalculat-i
t.ed 10 create an ottice-holders'3 trust. 5
| .. commissioners OF the revenue, II
: erected by the voters, should not be
Eeileible for the succeeding term.
ta) Because in their zeal for Q ttice
and desire for reelection they will
Very naturally incline to taFor the
Voters who support them In the matter
OF assessment5of their properly for pur-s
| poses OF taxation. and thus reduce the
revenue, both or tho state. county, city
| and district, and thereby ma ke Unequal
1tS IN the t,,1.o
% Because the best men often are
mistaken In their Judgment. and their
| valuations OF property ought to be re-
I V3sea4 and corrected. when necessary.
1 by their SUCCESSORS rs .5 s /. XII
= me provision requiring bills II to
| DC read at length on three different
/ chlendur days In each house hasSxY ork-
ed no hardship on our egislators, and
the amendment proposed is no OF su e.
Hcieht Importance at this time to re 4
| quire its approval. &
., ~ would be xceedlhgly 8unwIse5 to
sole Tor the amendment extending the
sssston OF the Legislature from sixty
| TO ninety 1ays
expenditure Of the public money.Swith-
OUT any corresponding benefit.
~ eBecauso IL the members OF the
General Assembly would all give atten-I
tion 70 thelrsworl In the earl VI d avs Q &
| Sky days session. there would be
/ no ~ congestion OF the calendar q Y
I ~ close than there would be X the
session should be extended to ninety
/ so because experience and Q bserya7
lion III al legislative bodies have d en-
!, pNktfated that nosniatter how long a
4 asasloh may BIO prolonged there Will
| si~hYs be conEeBtionA ait Its closo.s
w sffauae there Is less d IN ger o. &
/ YielpDs legislation IN a sixty days sc h
/ sioh inan IN ninety days session,
| ~ beehllae II Is universally the case
4 lha y,iry small proportion of the
4 , .' o. each house of the g eneral
Assembly formn,ate and work through
4 5lite biilF shat become laws, Il and AFTER
4 sis haNa " continuous labor 4 hey
4 afe ~ no condition for further slitis-i
/ iagtofy legislative Work,