Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1910-04-21
THE BRIGANDS STILL RAIDIEG.

The Virginia Democrats made as
their chief pleas for the making of n
new constitution the necessity Of a more
economical State government ard a
large reduction in the number of off
GERS. Ever since the constitution was
proclaimed the political brigands or
ofhce-holder's trust" that had then and
has now absolute control of the State.
has been busy piling up increased gov
eminent expenses and creating new of
hces for the hungry members of the
tribe. 1t is true that the revenues of
the State have been constantly increas-
ing. but not in proportion to the extrav-
agance of the party in power.
The General Assembly which met in.
January, 1908, found a surplus of about
a million of dollars in the State treas
ury, and campaign of loot was imme-
diately inaugursted New Offices were
created and salaries were increased with
recklessness that was startling and
that brought forth bitter fruit tn the
tax payers of State. When the Legis-
lature met in 1910 the million-dollar
surplus had vanished, and a deficit of
ABOUT the same amount was found to ex-
list. 1t was thought that this disgrace
tul exhibit would call halt in the oper-
atoms of the brigands; but such has not
been the case. The last Legislature
has shown the same indecent disposition
to loot and bankrupt the treasury that
was practiced by the Legislature of
ISOS- New offices have been created to
be presented to creatures of the Ma
chime, and the appropriations for the
States annual expenses have been
swelled to the immense sum of six mil
lions of dollars.
The most disgracefully defiant act on
this line was the creation of an unnec-
essary and expensive Office for Richard
T. Byrd, Speaker of the House of Dele
gates How this outrage was perpe-
trated can be gathered from reading an
editorial published in the Richmond
journal, and which we publish in an
other column. The appointment of Mr..
Byrd to this position is clearly in viola
ton of Section "a of the State Constitu-
ton, and it is provoking much conster-
nation and unfavorable comment with
the Democratic press. The Lynchburp
News has particularly put its stamp OF
dlsapproval upon the proceeding Among
many other things the News says:
''The fact is that a fat iob was era
ated by the act of the present General
Assembly. The Governor was Given
the right to fill the job at an annual sal
airy. And the Governor named as the
man to occupy the post the Speaker OF
the House of Delegates. If this thing
can be done constitutionally then what
Is there IN the Constitution to prevent
a land office business in official Jobs be-
ing carried on in the LEGISLATURE"
, There has seemingly been nothing to
prevent this land office business in Jobs.
The Legislature of 1908 made itself busy
on these lines and was defended by the
Democratic press. The new Consti-
tuition has given the General Assembly
and Governor plenary powers. and under
the directions of the Machine these de-
partments have exercised their powers.
even beyond the limit. The Consti-
tuition has even been brazenly violated
both by the Chief Executive and the
Legislature without rebuke from the
party or the press. Jobbery and Jobs
have been upheld and little respect
shown for the plain letter and spirit of
the Constitution. What more could be
expected when the present organic law
was conceived in fraud, brought forth
IN deceit, and made for the perpetuation
of partisan Democratic rule?