The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-03-05

rnc people Of Virginia will take
notice of the fact that tile Instructors
In the senate who arc resisting tho
attempt TO bring M the West fee pub
iicity bill arc representing IAN arts
GiocYacy Of placemon" and not their
constituents Tho Issue ia plain ana
/. ihescapablc Thp West hill seeks
snothing more than publicity as to the
amounts received by tile fcc-pnid ofi-
nNrs OF virginia Such publicity IS a
right Of The people. ana not a priv,-
leee which tile senate can riehtfuny
Withhold III every State in the
nation the people are demand
ing fuli ana free publicity as 10 their
government, in many states this de-
mand has been accedcd. but in yir-'
Ginia the enemies OF publicity are sur
icicntly strong TO prevent tho con-
Sidera,ion of measure which seeks
only 10 let the people know what
their hired men arc getting by way
or compensation. The Wost fec bill
requires that the fee officers report
periodically to tho Auditor Of Pub
lie Accounts tho amount OF fees re-
celved by them. and that they keep
full and definite records OF fees re-
ceivcd. The purpose Of the measure
is TO lot the people know what the
fee officers are paid. No right of fee
officers Is trampled upon; no injustice
worked; on Tie other hand, the meas
ure would give both fee officers and
ff,a y,sO,,Io d, e.,r,r,
Thrice has Governor Mann in mes
shgcs urged the consideration ana
passage OF the West fee BILL bu, the
Senate has failed 10 respond, despite
,he valiant ana persistent efforts OF
the patron OF the bill to have II passed
upon. Certain Senators arc afraid to
let the bill como up, for they feel
obligated to the fee officers in their
Districts and will vote no" on the
Din If 1t comes up for passage. A
negative vote on this bill Is vote
'agains, plain right of the people
There Is but ono issue in the pres
Tent hsht. 1t is: Shall the people have
ihe right to know what they pay their
public servants? There is 10 other
side TO this question The passage
.of tho West bin cannot possibly do
any man an Injustice or work hard
SMip in any way This biz does no,
affect the existence or the workings
OF tho Zee system; It desires that the
facts 10 lail before the people ana
certain Senators 90 not want tho
people TO know the facts. \ Senator
who opposes either directly or indi-
recuy this bill is "A foe OF popular
government. who does net represent
the interests OF the people WHO sent
him to the Senate but those OF a few
stockholders.
The Senate should act at once on
the West hill Much less important
bills have lately been taken up out
'of their order for Consideration rhis
bin has been recasIuended for favor
able action three TINES at this session
by The Governor, but /, lnnguishes on
inc calendar, while many az insiE
niiicant measure passes. No senator
,can hereafter excuse negative vote
Ion the motion 10 take this b!n up by
sfayins that we mus: take bills UP
IN their order" The scarcity of lime
and the Importance az the measure
,1nake such an excuse nnaccep,able 10
the people of Virginia. Those who
Hereafter voto against taking the bin
:ip must ae classified rs opponents Of
:thc measure itself surh conclusion
pll the facts, II unayo!dable