Virginia's Condition
January 15, 1898
Summary
A black Virginian argues against the whipping post bill in the context of the Commonwealth of Virginia and its history.
Transcription
Baltimore, MD, Jan. 11th, 1898.
It is the custom of the times to approve according to the Standard laid down upon the judgement is predicted.
It is difficult to pass judgment upon anything without an acute or partial knowledge thereof. I am one of those who have from boyhood days studied the various phases of Virginia, the state in which I first saw the light and where I spent the early part of my life, and where I first received inspiration of what I expected to make myself in this life.
I have an untiring and never ceasing interest in the mother state. I am quick to resent unreasonable and unfair attacks made upon her by those who make it appear that she is receding from her former high standing among other states. I have even made enemies of some of my staunchest friends on account of my persistent defense of that grand old commonwealth. All of this is simply the result of that inborn feeling which every loyal Virginian has for his old home. With such feeling it is certainly painful to observe the backward steps which she seems to be making just about now. History has informed me of her wonderful natural resources, observation and experience of the facilities with she has to use them. Her people are the noblest, grandest, and the most hospitable found in any state in the Union. She is well supplied in fertile acres found in her one hundred counties. She is rich in coal and minerals, she has fine soil for the best grades of tobacco, has valuable water mains, in which are found excellent bottoms for the culture of oysters, and yet she seems to be on the decline, if not she is surely standing still, for we fail to observe any progress.
The people of this magnificent state over fifteen years ago, saw the error into which they had fallen by the inauguration of the lash as a penalty for petty offences. The conservative press of the state, being ably seconded by the best brain and people, commenced a crusade against this inhuman and barbarous practice. It could not stand the strength of its opponents, and finally was scratched off the statute books much to the credit of the state.
But again, we hear the sound, which has found its way into the Legislature, in which is espousing the cause of the degrading institution (the whipping post_ which almost disgraced the fair name of the state during its former existence. The sound is the result of a few scattering things know as brain (?) at work in the cranium of one who is dignified by the term legislator. This object of curiosity, (for surely he is) actuated by prejudice has introduced a bill in the legislature to re-establish the whipping-post; and is fathering it along under the disguise of ‘State Economy’ so as to shield its real purpose.
It is carried before a committee composed of intelligent (?) men and is favorably recommended. It may meet its doom in that conundrum, but that is hardly probable. This is not all.
The present election law of the state is honestly a disgrace. It hasn’t even the resemblance of justice. There is nothing more shameful to observe than an election in Virginia. A good election law is one for the pressing demands of the state in order for it to keep pace with progress and other enterprising states. The expenses attending the administration of justice are entirely too large.
In fact, the whole judiciary system could be reformed with credit and profit to the state. Take the state on the whole she is in a pretty bad condition. The taxes are the worse ever heard of. With a poor set of legislators, and a governor clinging to the theories of Bryan, no good is anticipated from that source. But the body politic (the people) are the owners of the state and as such holds the key to the situation. We suggest that they should rise en masse and call for a Constitutional Convention in which the many evils which defect the state could be remedied. Some think that they are not remediable, but I hold the opposite opinion. Let the good people do their duty and the evils complained of will soon disappear.
John E. Board.
It is the custom of the times to approve according to the Standard laid down upon the judgement is predicted.
It is difficult to pass judgment upon anything without an acute or partial knowledge thereof. I am one of those who have from boyhood days studied the various phases of Virginia, the state in which I first saw the light and where I spent the early part of my life, and where I first received inspiration of what I expected to make myself in this life.
I have an untiring and never ceasing interest in the mother state. I am quick to resent unreasonable and unfair attacks made upon her by those who make it appear that she is receding from her former high standing among other states. I have even made enemies of some of my staunchest friends on account of my persistent defense of that grand old commonwealth. All of this is simply the result of that inborn feeling which every loyal Virginian has for his old home. With such feeling it is certainly painful to observe the backward steps which she seems to be making just about now. History has informed me of her wonderful natural resources, observation and experience of the facilities with she has to use them. Her people are the noblest, grandest, and the most hospitable found in any state in the Union. She is well supplied in fertile acres found in her one hundred counties. She is rich in coal and minerals, she has fine soil for the best grades of tobacco, has valuable water mains, in which are found excellent bottoms for the culture of oysters, and yet she seems to be on the decline, if not she is surely standing still, for we fail to observe any progress.
The people of this magnificent state over fifteen years ago, saw the error into which they had fallen by the inauguration of the lash as a penalty for petty offences. The conservative press of the state, being ably seconded by the best brain and people, commenced a crusade against this inhuman and barbarous practice. It could not stand the strength of its opponents, and finally was scratched off the statute books much to the credit of the state.
But again, we hear the sound, which has found its way into the Legislature, in which is espousing the cause of the degrading institution (the whipping post_ which almost disgraced the fair name of the state during its former existence. The sound is the result of a few scattering things know as brain (?) at work in the cranium of one who is dignified by the term legislator. This object of curiosity, (for surely he is) actuated by prejudice has introduced a bill in the legislature to re-establish the whipping-post; and is fathering it along under the disguise of ‘State Economy’ so as to shield its real purpose.
It is carried before a committee composed of intelligent (?) men and is favorably recommended. It may meet its doom in that conundrum, but that is hardly probable. This is not all.
The present election law of the state is honestly a disgrace. It hasn’t even the resemblance of justice. There is nothing more shameful to observe than an election in Virginia. A good election law is one for the pressing demands of the state in order for it to keep pace with progress and other enterprising states. The expenses attending the administration of justice are entirely too large.
In fact, the whole judiciary system could be reformed with credit and profit to the state. Take the state on the whole she is in a pretty bad condition. The taxes are the worse ever heard of. With a poor set of legislators, and a governor clinging to the theories of Bryan, no good is anticipated from that source. But the body politic (the people) are the owners of the state and as such holds the key to the situation. We suggest that they should rise en masse and call for a Constitutional Convention in which the many evils which defect the state could be remedied. Some think that they are not remediable, but I hold the opposite opinion. Let the good people do their duty and the evils complained of will soon disappear.
John E. Board.
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Lower Left Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Cali Hughes
Citation
“Virginia's Condition,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed January 20, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/224.