Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-12-06

particular issue. 1t In to me a,naz-
Ing that this safo and sano sugges-
ton OF tie Governor should have
met with misunderstanding or witu
opposition from any one.
Itelteratlng his advocacy of u
bond Issue. IL such step enjoyed tho
unquestioncd support or the people.
Governor Trinkle, nevertheless. an
nOunced that no would not call am
extraordinary session for that pur-
pose without tho assurance and ut
the request OF Substantial" ma
jority OF members In favor of bonds.
which assurance he desired as
guarantee against ''hazards of
Legislative bodies" but he was
ready TO call 1t for the purpose OF
levying IL gasoline tax for one year to
raise temporary funds. if assured
that the bond issue fight would
not be prccipitated. In other words.
ipud these leaders agreed to his sug-
gestion. hc would Immediately havo
announced tho call for an sx.ra
session to pass tho gasoline tax bill
ana. incidentally. the Senate rcdis-
tricting bill.
Every one who Is familiar with
the workings OF legislative body
knows what Legislative hazard
means. The Governor gave rs one
Illustration the sudden death or re-
moval OF member or members
favoring this proposition. 1t often
happens that a group OF members
VIII vote for a bill only on con-
dillon that certain amendments are
adopted. while another group will
vote for the bill rs drawn. hut will
oppose it should amendments DO
carried. 1t is evident that ono OF
these groups must vote against tho
bill on It's INA! passage.
a striking illustration OF this is the
position OF Mr.. Smlthcy. the member
from brunswick, whb is considered
an active supporter OF tho bond issue
and OF an extra session. and who. in
n public statement which. I under
stand lie has frequently and recently
reiterated. has said that he would
certainly not vote for a bond Issue
unless tho bill. and tho bonds 10 be
issued. contained tho express condi-
ton that such bonds were only TO be
paid out OF tax on gasoline. and out
OF no other state funds. Now. tho
condition he names, l think. makes II
evident that Mr. Smithcy, himrcif,
would not vote for q bond Issue bill.
because II Is inconccivxblo that any
Legislature would place any such
condition or Limitation on these bonds
as he demands. which would limit
them to ono specific source of revenue
for their payment. II such Iimlta-
ton was adopted. and should be held
valid and binding. the bonds would
be unSalablr. II. on tho other hand.
tho Limitation Was held void and
meaningless, the fact OF placing such
condition In the bonds would serve
only to have pcrpetrated n deception
upon III" taxpayers. Many other
hazards OF legislation" might be
enumerated.
believe tho Governor Is actin.
wisely In insisting on sufficient
margin OF votes before no would DO
willing to see a bond Issue fight
brought up in an extra session. Bu,
can see no reason. and have heard
no convincing one advanced. why the
leaders OF tho respective warning fac
lions should not agree to an armis-
tico and to providing temporary funds
by a gasoline tax for one year. while
the people settled the main question
OF financial policy at tho next gem
crai election.
hope those members OF tho Cen
eral Assembly who are not playing
politics" but who sincerely favor "a
progressive road building program
for the state, VIII signify to the Gov
crnor their Willingness, II called into
extra session, to vote for temporary
gasoline tax and 10 vote against tax
Ing IN the bond Issue nght at such
extra session. II this Is done | be-
lierc II will save the situation. and Mt
the same tiIne lac entirely fair to
both sides Of the main controversy.
THOMAS o. MOSS.
edmond. Va. December :. 1872