The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-03-21

TO the Editor OF The Times Dispatch:
81 Sill have read With Interest your
editorial entitled, "lxtcnding the
Mareh W II. Tl,e siat u The sauce
for the goose, sauce for the gander
argument, as applied by you to the
farmers institute lime bill" is that
should the State OF Virginia put her
for sale to tho public. not alone to
farmers as you suggest, at q sprofit OF
40 per cent. upon the cost Of produc.
ton, she must be granting q special
land should, therefore. extend the
rule" by supplying the necessities and
comforts OF life to her needy cit
2izens
The objects OF this bill authorizing
the grinding and sale OF limestone
GINA, and your criticism of tho bill
Is so pungent, that 1t merits discus
sion.
Glass Legislation may be defined as
the legislative enactment OF laws,
which are not general IN their appli-
or Injurious to one class OF citizens.
Z IN their personal, or property rights.
Asa rule, such legislationfis vicious,
but, as shall point out hereinafter,
Outlines legislation that seems at first
blush to come under the ban Of the
rulo, through the benefits derived by
the general public In It's operation
proves not only commendable but a
public blessing. Such. am persuao ed
the grinding OF limestone for sale
by the State, at a profit to the state,
will prove.
Criticism Remarkable.
The criticism of the bill is the more
remarkable because OF the fact that
legislation of like character. and not
moro meritorious in possibility FOR
the development Of the resources OF
Virginia has called for no unfayor-
able comment.
Upon the plea that the conricts of
the State must be maintained, they
have for years been leased to North
ern manufacturers, who have employed
in the manufacture OF shoes, at
profit to the contractors; and In my
recollection, convicts have been used
by contractors for the quarrying OF
stone near Richmond. Was and is
this class Legislation. and is II rem
dered innocuous because Of the fact
Northern manufacturers. rather than
to the farmers OF Virginia?
again. our admirable good zoo ca r9ad Is
conditions OF the conyicts Of the state tate
upon tho roads OF the counties. or for
certain money aid. Counties too poor
to contribute to the building Of the
roads receive no part Of the appropria-
| ton. The roads are built In various
localities. and enrich those whose
| lands adjoin, or are tributary to the
Improvement. The State as whole
| is benefited only by the increased
| comfort and happiness OF her local
citizens, and In the Increased values
in the localities affected for the pur-
| pose OF State taxation. Is this class
| Legislation. and II SO. do you con-
denim it?
The demands OF our civilization
have rendered necessary the enact
ment OF what Is known as the Jim
| Grow" law, whereby certain classes
OF citizens have been assigned to GER
| tain parts OF the car In transporta-
| tion. and wise provision has been made
to distinguish between ignorance and
education as qualification Tor SUI :
| frage Are not these Instances OF
class privilege. justified by conditions
| and circumstances?
| If space permitted. might continue
| indefinitely the list. In national az
fairs our system Of tariff has been
continued. If It were not created, Tor
the especial protection Of the privi-
/ legged class of manufacturers and mas
served by it's burdens upon the peo-
| pie to create the trusts. and a host
1 OF m1llionaires. This legislation no
/, doubt we deplore but the fact re-
mains that time and time again the
1 majority OF the voters OF the United
/ states have Endorsed the system. believ-
ing it Indirectly conducive to the gen.
i eral veal.