The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-03-27
The Salt Question.


We promised last week, in a brief notice
we took Of the then supposed adoption, by the
Legislature, Of the minority report which q
warded to Messrs. Chas. Scott & Co. the con-
tract 10 supply the State of Virginia with salt,
that we would notice the subject more at large
this week.
As public journalists we claim the right to
speak of this subject, which is now of the deep.
est and most vital interest to the country, and
though we have the almost entire editorial ia,
lent Of the State arrayed on the opposite side,
still we may be permitted to entertain an ho-
nest opinion, and the right to, express it.
The Legislature Of Virginia has been befog-
ging itself and the country fol. months, in try
ing to remedy criminal blunder made mere
than twelve months ago in refusing to purt
chase the Saltworks Of Smyth and Washing
ton counties, and in order to try and satisfy q
justly indignant and suffering people, it has
been, stits every meeting since, trying to do
something to cast the onas Of us own great
wrong upon the shoulders of others. And as
nothing seemed so likely to relieve themselves
Of the great blunder they committed, part Of
the members Of that body have heaped the
most unmeasured abuse upon the present pro-
prietors of the Works, denouncing them as
Yankees, extortioners and the like, knowing
that these words are very potent with the mas
ses Of the suffering people Of Virginia.
It may be well, as there are generally two
sides to every question, to see what force there
is in all this hnbbub about the exacting, ex-
tertionate proprietors Of the Saltworks. Ads
NIT, for the sake Of the argument, that every.
word that the most blatant of the enemies Of
Stuart Buchanan & CO.. and Chs. Scott & Co..
is true, does that argue, because salt is one Of
the prime necessities Of life, that the Legisla-
tnre Of Virginia has the right to impress the
property Of the said Company, and put it intoI
other hands and under other cpntrol, because.
fvrsooth, they are making millionsof dollars
out of the necessities Of the country and the
life of the people.
The Lynchburg Virginian, usually discreet
and courteous in everything il says thinks
that, because large force is kept in position
for the defence of the Saltworks, ergo the Le-
gislature Of Virginia should proceed at once to
relieve the present proprietors Of their proper
ty, and work them on State account, or by
any person who will contract II, ofer salt to
the country for less sum than the aforesaid
-.
proprietors propose to furnish il. Il this POI
sition be correct, then should the Confederate
and State Governments take Immediate pos
session of every good farm, and Touring mill,
and mandatory Of woolen and other goods,
because Gen. bee's large command on the
Rappahannock, Gen. Pryor's on the Black.
water, and Gen. Jones' in the Valley, are set
for the defence Of those farms. mills, looms
and spindles, and at the same time these. far
mcrs and manufacturers Of -four, woolen and
1 cotton goods, shoes, hats, &C., are charging in
many instances. ten prices for their products.
Wessay again, if the argument holds good a.
gainst the prcprietors Of the Saltworks, there
is every reason why the Legislature should
press everything and everybody engaged in
the manufacture Of any and every article of
consumption manufactured and sold in Virgil
MIA. Though the minority report alluded TO
lase week as having awarded the contract to
Messrs. Chs. Scott b Co.. was defeated in
the Senate, compromise joint resolution was
introduced in that body by Mr.. Armstrong,
&c II ~: <lo lee ~
Messrst Scott Co. the following contact,
which was accepted by the House Of Dele
gates, and is now, we presume, in full force.
We are sorry though, that the minority report
Of the House was not adopted, as that more
fully recognized private rights THAI the pre-
sent BILL as there is, we honestly conceive, no
necessity for any impressmsnt feature in tile
bill at ALL We presume that the conditional
ultimate was introduced to enable timid Sc.
majors to do right in the premises. and we
take occasion to Congratulate the majority Of
the Legislature Of Virginia upon its ability to
Withstand the outside pressure Of newspaper
philIipics and ether influences, and has dared
% respect private property and private rights.
The following are the resolutions If Mr.. Arm
strong:
Resolved by the General Assembly, that CONF
mittee be appointed to make o contract (if they
think proper, with Charles Scott &Co., or Stuart
Buchanan & Co., for the delivery of At least
zoo, 900 bushels of salt prior to the 18th day Of
March, 1854, witha provision in said contract
that whenever, in the opinion of the committee,
said Scott & Co., or Stuart, Buchanan & Co.,
shall fail to perform said contract, quiet and