The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-01-14
TIE cENunAL ASSEMBLY.


more expectant Interest. Reforms long
promised and long delayed seem near
fulfilment: hopes deferred hive been
! rex ndled; 100000 v.rginians watch
their representatives assemble TO make
tho chart by which, for the next two
years. will be guided the course OF the
Commonwealth.
And the people look with interest,
not only because they expect the Gen
eral Assembly to achieve Il construc-
tive record. but because the voters OF
Virginia are awakened to the consci-
BUSINESS of burdens that weigh heavily
and OF opportunities that loom large
burdens that may be removed by the
application OF known principles. OPP
portunities that may be met by earn
est endeavor and unselfsh labor. Pub
lie sentiment as never In the past.
enlightened and unified. expects the
representatives OF the people TO meet
the needs OF Virginia,
In the same spirit that possesses
them. the people of Virginia look TO
the legislators to do their duty Not
with narrow vision, not with temper
izing difidence, not With careless dis
regard OF the future. but boldly, con-
structively. and wisely must tho Cen
oral Assembly face Its problems.
OF these problems. the reformation
OF our tax laws stands first. Ever
since the new Constitution changed
certain OF our revenue measures. the
people have felt that n general read
justment OF our tax code. In keeping
with modern ideas OF government is
Imperative. To-day tho sentiment in
behalf OF general FISCAL reform Is over
VIII Ginning Chambers OF commerce,
farmers unions. the professional
classes, college professors. State off,
cials-all demand that Virginia be MT
ed from the miro OF Ubiquitous taxation
and set on the high road of progress
Scarcely less pressing Is the demand
for g sound primary law For better
or for worse, tho people of Virginia,
In common with their brothers
throughout America, seek pure democ-
racy in the place of strictly represen-
tative government.
Better Informed as 10 public affairs,
the average voter demands larger
part in government. That democracy
which he seeks can only be had
through q law which Will accurately,
honestly and promptly record his vote,
for any other government than that
founded on an honest election law is
but travcsty and n disgrace And
how far short Virginia ~ OF such n
law, cor. parison OF the bill introduced
by Speaker Byrd In the Assembly OF
1912 with the measure tina finally
passed tho Senate. will make plain in
all it's unpalatable nakedness
OF the enabling act we shall not
speak. Upon this issue 4 vast majority
OF the people OF the State have ex-
pressed their opinion in practical In
struct!ons to their representatives.
That Issue is precipitated; its outcome
lis, perhaps, already determined. Areu-
ment and exhortation. criticism or en-
couragement will not affect The result.
Yet as they cast their votes. We trust
tho members OF Assembly Will not
forget that the passage OF the enabling
act may mean bitter controversy long
agitation and general assault upon
the maintenance of law. Surely every
man must walk carefully as he seek.
TO determine the answer OF Virginia Of
this question
! After these rank q number OF other
and hy no means less interesting prob
/ lems--the better health OF our people
and their instruction in sanitation. the
I higher education OF women. the extern
/ sion OF primary education, the liberia
{ ton OF municipal government from the