The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-07-19
PEOPLES FORUM.
Government and Politics.

Editor Virginian:
sir.-An editorial of the Times
Dispatch, quoted by a paper here
kindred in interests. presumes to
make the claim that government Is
a matter of politics; and from the
character and position of this claim
ant and Virginia administration, gov
eminent is what the natural infer
ence implies, of an affair of getting
control of the organization of the
people and assuming that organiza-
ton only incidentally with reference
to the interests of the people
The object Of my letter to you is
to call your attention to the fact
of the circumstances and the conse-
uuent confession of unlawful sway
of interests represented by the news
papers herein indicated. over the pub
lie affairs OF the State of Virginia.
Politics, matter of government
and administration is one thing; poll
tics, a matter of government in the
hands of a clique representing GER
tain interests is quite another. IT is
made to appear, In one phase. that
the former prevails In Virginia,
whereas, that which actually pre-
walls consists of the seizure of po-
| litical organization by a few men,
supported by wealthy interests, and
the conduct and operation of this or
ganization as a means of this hid
eous clique, in securing what 1t wants
! in governmental activity. 1t Is. In fact,
government by special interests, and
| cold prove the claim by eternal
incum bency of a few men in govern
mental office. and the action of gov
ernments in favor of interests against
the interests of the people.
What annoys me is that the peo-
pie who are deemed prudent enough
and wise enough TO govern. submit to
so much outrage In the form of gov
eminent. What ruffies my sense OF
discretion is that people who are sup
posed to be capable of governing are
SO credulous. so foolish. so devoid OF
any sense of right and wrong in pub
Tic affairs.
i For my part. could wish that
the idea of government consisted OF
rule by exercise of the sovereign
power of voting. But how can il
consist of such a thing when mer
are made to pay a tax of $3.50 ere
they may vote, as II government were
supreme over sovereignty and sover'
eighty not matter of right OF the
people to create governments and
operate them?
!, The most that people can do now
is to sit down ana look on the opera
lions of criminals who have seized
land continue their efforts to seize al
THAT is of a general nature for appli'
cation to things general by bes
means, but to things special by bes
means.
Here, they are talking about cen
tralizing the form of government, a,
lif that were tie best means of ad
Yntnistration They are taking thu
notion of inferior as superior, ant
placing the richest man in power
that will enable the interests of {
few men to crush all rights ami op
press the interests of the people a
will
Observe. too. the powers CONSTANT,
usurped by officials In the name o
government Observe those petit!
rules enacted as laws. which are in
tended to infringe the liberty of &C
ton and are not actual laws, because
mot intended to regulate action a.
means of individual relation. Oh
} serve. in fine. the whole gamut O
seifishness and insanity. only to oh
serve that the credulity of the peo
pie demonstrates either that they d.
mot know or do not care about wha
In proper and improper in affairs pub
, lie. affairs that must and will ulti
mately affect their own interests ia
yorably or unfavora bly,. Just as the,
are attentive or inattentive to public
affairs.
Respectfully.
II GARRETT BAXTER.