Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1845-02-06

appropriated to the purpose OF education
VII oh would reach all parts Of Virginia, the
! would be cheerfuily paid Mr.. S. though
the present taxes low enough, and should no
! be reduced
| Mr.. raroadus Of Culpeper had expected NJ
movement against the ax-hil-especiall
like the present. Mr. b. thought that III,
measure proposed by Mr.. S. for school sys
tenn should be referred to a coEHmitttee, viii
instructions to report bill for the purpose
and the ways and means to carry it ou,-an,
then the committee ON Finace might be in
strmcted II bring in the proper bin. The
| II, use should decide deliberately on the prop
rety Of giving these instructions. He examined
the statistical views of Mr. s., from which he
essentially differed. MIR. B. justified the
committee tor reducing the taxes. At the old
rates. there would have been surplus flower
$4,000. That could not have been applied
to the payment of the public debt, which no
one desired. The purpose for which the taxes
were raised, had been accomplishment
credit, of the State had been Northumberland
it was due to the people, that the present bur
dens should be distinguished. If gentlemen
wished to raise funds for a large system of
internal improvements, why not bring forward
a direct motion to retain the present high tax
es, and appropriate them directly to that
purpose9
Mr.. B. proceeded to show the reduction
proposed by the committee.
Mr.. Lanier opposed the -commttal, and
replied to Mr. Stephenson's arguments. If 1t
be necessary, hereafter, to incl ease the taxes.
the people would cheerfully submit. Mr. L.
thought an efficient school system, in the pres
ent state ofpopulaiion. utterly i'm ractlcable.
Mr.. l.. calet. Tor the ayes and noes
NJ. Lee should SO for the plan of MIR. Ste.
pienson, though he would prefer that Sink
ing Fund should be raised, to pay of, the pnb
lie debt, and tocarry on more efficiently the
great cause Of Education. -..ss
MIR. Frazier said that this appeard TO be a
test questionable would therefore explain his
views. He was opposed to reduction of
the taxes, which the people had not called
for. MIR. + did not conceal his opinion in
favor of an eniightning system of Internal
I'm, rovement-and would be most happy to
the taxes kept at their present rate, to
carry out these important measures. But, AS
he could not hope for SO hattering aresuit,
he was Jealous for Sinking Fund, to pay off
the public debt. He went on to justify the
Legislature, Two years ago, for taking the
bold and manly step to impose taxes to
support the credit OF the Commonwea ltil
<,
for We u,rbt her4.f.-r H.
our means, the estimate OF the Committee be.
ing tased on numberless contingencies, which
might disappoint us. ,q5.s
Mr.. Bioast,us OF Caroline opposed the plar
Of Mr.. stephenson, as wrong i'll principle =
We had no II Sht to appropriate TO thi. pui,
pose the money which the eople had agree
to pay for an entirely different object.
Mr.Preston could not agree to the plan of Mr.
Stephenson. The school fund was not embar
raised; but there was no system yet digestee
which would suit our condition. Mr. p wa:
opposed to givinglh instructions; and he was
also opposed to a reduction of the taxes. There
were State debts now redeemable, which tn.
State should Pay off, by allowing the presen
excess to remain in the Treasury for that pur
pose If we reduce the taxes without paying
off the debts due, it must follow that we vii
establish a perpetual standing debt, or w
must. it will be commended, wait for NOR
suspicious period be found than the PRESENT.
This is the time 10 pay the debt. 1t would b
the course pursued by prudent man; and is i
not wise for the State to do SO likewise2 TIL
people of the West had been disappointed il
their wishes for Improvements, SO vitality nee
essary to them; because, as it had been argued
" Pay ilel ueo'S- NoW' geH1leiileh VI III
East refuse to remove the embarrassment b,
paying off the public debt. Will gentlemel
of the East tie his hands of themselves and o
the West, by continuing these public embar
easements! ~
Mr.. Garnett congratulated himself that tn
gentleman from Montgomery had come roun'
to the position, that it was better to pay off oil
debts before new ones should be created. MI
went for sinking fund. He would go TO
Mr.. Stephenson's plan, if it be reported in
district and proper form.
Mr. Frazier moved an amendment to the q
instruction, so as to set apart the taxes on new
subjects, as sinking fund to provide for tn
payment of the public debt. &
This amendment was carried by large ma
jority.