Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1852-06-04
LEGISLATURES OF VIRGINIA.

Speech of Mr. GOODE of hsckienJurg on the Finances
of Virgiaa eicered in the House of Delegates in Com
niuee ofMe Jjaole, Saturday, april can, 1852.
Mr.. Chairman: Unatiecedly it is with real pain, find
myself constrained TO cast myself on that kind indulgence
of BODY which has been SO often aud so generously
tended. q
When this measure under consideration, days
since felt be proper 10 recur 10 an ancient usage 10
offer general exposition Of its principles and purposes
was no, done 1t is emnenily proper that the
task then deferred, shall be performed.
This bill proposes grca. ausmen a,ion of public burdens
very considerable increase Of the taxes, and
should cspouse such who not prepared TO vim
dictate the necessity before this House and this country
stand prepared demonstrate that necessity-o present
yindcation of the measure and 10 offer my defence
aui justification, together with the defence and iustifca
,a Of those who shall sustain the measure by their votes
On more occasions than one during the present session.
have felt the cessy Of dprecatng the wrath and
of the House. and of the country, on account of the
proposed increase of affirm that the responsibility
does ghtfuly res, me- on the present General
Assembly, that part OF this Assembly vino shall vote
for Inc of nxcs II rghtfuy devoves on our
decessors The necessity created by those who have
gone before us; those who in former have been dis
tngushed by voting heavy appropriations resulting in the
present. public debt, debt ample in It's proportions;
which must heavily Cypress our peepe which creates
an absolute and unavoidable necessity - raise the taxes
provide the of paying the interest on the public debt
Of deyng the annual expenses OF Government OF preserv
ing public credit and of sustaining the honor and dignity of
the Commonwealth.
The existence aud magnitude of the public debt has been
set forth and established in the report from the committee
Of Finance That report has been this day discreded by
distinguished member OF the committee and described the
of chairman, rather
which voted by the committee through Difference or in
courtesy the chairman and Of concur
with its views Sir the report read in committee
and regularly passed in The affirmative. IL is for
know the motives b. which gentlemen controlled; il
any gentlemen influenced by disposition of
,esy to me, surely placed under strong obligation
feel however absolved from all obligation such as
forward publicly ciscrec tho document by disa-
vowing its principles and asserting in its
views. To all suc am ready 10 extend free and full alb
solution freely and fully absoiye them from all response.
biiy for its statement or lis reasoning-and If every
Der Of that committee shall avail themselves of
this opportunity separate themselves from this document
! ready take the whole responsibility myself and
maintain the truth Of its statements and the business Of
its conclusions against the united Efforts OF IFS advcrsare
and the combined powers OF The whole world. | coniide
implicitly in the power of truth and the intelligence of tie
country.
When the amount Of the debt and liabilities of the State
the House through the report Of the
mee of Finance sensation produced was apprc
hended by tho advocates of large appropriations that il
might affect nuriously their avorte policy and effort
made produce the impression that its author
posed the great works Of internal improvement and there
by unconsciousy inclined eHaggeate the pecuniary
barassments and public Indebtedness of The State Now,
sir this gross injustice 10 me- personally and distinct
" dsavow any purpose motive inconsistent with
earnest desire present faithful and truthful representa-
lion of financial condition. IL such representation
sha influence disastrous 10 any favore policy il
Gun only be ascrbed the fact that the policy itself stands
opposed the interest OF the commonwealth and 10
the grea; principle of truth.
The Of the debt and liability of Virginia
tanned announced By the committee of Finance
ty.two millions, five hundred and eight thousand
hundred and fifty dollars II Is attempted this
us an eXaggoraon maintain tho is founded in
truth shall verify il evidence drawn from the fiscal
officers of government who cannot be charged with dispo
son 10 support the repor, expense Of accuracy If
the &c erroneous they STARE the responsible
lily Of that They have furnished The evidence
which It was made.
II is stated in The epor, of the committee that son The
LIST of January 1852 bonds and evidences Of public debt
registered in The office Of the Auditor OF Public Ac
thousand hundred and fortysix dollars. Smiur evil
ences in Office of the Second Auditor
The amount twelve million six hundred and thirty mine
thousand four hundred ard eleven dollars. Both these
items will he supported By referring To the report OF the Au
dtos of Public Accounts page 3d. made 10 the General As
aemby the opening CT the present session. where these
entries will be found:
Account of public registered debt. and cou.
pom bonds, in Second Auditors Office,
ist january, 1852, Sl263942l "a
Amour, OF pablo debt registered in First
Auditors Office, on Isl Jan2ar;, 1852, 793, ld6 II
The Auditor sets forth thai the first item, milton
hundred and sixty egk. thousand iou hundred and
yeuty- nine dolas and seventy cents held BY
Literary Fund and Beard OF Public Works and that of The
second i,em three hundred and ortythee Thousand thirty
nine dollars and seventeen held by The Literary
Fund.
The report OF the committee states that snCc the ls Of
January 1852 public credit has been funded the amount
of eight hundred and seventy nine thousand six hundred
and seventeen dollars" This statement is rouched by
ditos Office which here exhibit to this House. and which
furnished by that officer my application on nterro
gaores prnponnded by what amount has been sold
aded since lat January 1852 The reply being in these
words:
Registered stock, s2796l7
Coupon Bonds, 10000
TotnI SS79Gl7