The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1871-09-21
TO rHE CITIZENS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY.

In response to call of several hundred IN
Auental and respectable citizens, residing in
all portions of tile county, hereby announce
myself candidate to represent you IN the
E,sxt Senate of Virginia This call made upon
me would seem to demand, not only that
should make clear and plain statement OF my
views as to prospective questions, but also that
| should render an account ofmy past steward
ship as your representative in the last legisa
ture. In discharging this latter duty, | shall
necessarily have frequent occasion to speak OF
what I have accomplished for you in my
legislative career. These statements, under
other circumstances, would SAVIOR Of egotism
and presumption; but as the case stands, you
have right to demand, and to make them,
without the imputation Of any such offensive
charge I shall therefore as freely speak Of
and canvass my own acts as those OF another,
holding myself, at all times ready to substanti-
ate my statements, either by record or other
proof.
On entering public life, as your representa-
tive at Richmond, found the State possessed
Of great manufacturing and agricultural re-
sources as also mineral wealth far surprising
that of Great Britain. 1t was apparent too,
that the State, in respect to its geographical
position held very superior advantages, --aris-
ing from its genial climate, proximity to
the sea, and uurivaled harbor, forming a
base Of commercial enterprise, reaching back
, over one half Of the West.
{ On the other hand, owing to a disastrous
war, the hitherto umblemshed credit of our
State abroad, was so far impaired as to rem
der it hopeless for us to expect, in her then
) condition, either foreign capital or imnigra-
tion-the two very things absolutely needed
, for her development. In point of fact, our
State with boundless, undeveloped wealth,
stood upon the very verge of immediate and
, utter ruin unless upon an improved credit,
capital and labor could be brought forward
to develop our resources, which, would not
| only meet our engagements aud sustain our
cherished State honor, but would eventually
make us the most wealthy and prosperous
Commonwealth in the United States.
= 1t was with this view, and while inspired
: with hopeful and bright prospects for Virginia
t which | still cherish, that [, as chairman Of
the Finance Committee. gave in my adhesion
f to the Funding Bill; upon the express assur-
t ence, however, of the State Auditor, that a
! tax Of fifty cents on the one hundred dollars
vas amply sufficient to meet the current ex-
0 penses OF the Government-pay the interest
: on the public debt, and provide sinking fund
4 for its eventual liquidation. stated at the
time, that this was the utmost limit to which
would go, and that would at all times and
under all circumstances, thereafter, to the
t whole extent of my influence, oppose any in.
!, crease whatever on that amount, which was
d as much as, in my judgment, the people could
), possibly bear. A proposition was afterwards
! made in the General Assembly to raise the
r tax from so to 60 cents on the 500, which
), I promptly opposed on the floor of the House
4 and the motion was withdrawn. To this ex:
h tent, aud thus far only, am I committed t.
e the Funding Bill
is It is true that the recent assessments O.
c real and personal property, in most of tho
V counties of the Commonwealth, have fallen un
der the estimate made by the Auditor at The
d time the Finance Committee was considering
IS the funding bill-but this deficiency, il
d my Judgment, can be met ny rigorous re
l. trenchment of the expenditures Of the State
and rather than repudiate the obligations 0
ia the State, and bring discredit upon her hith
A. crto umbemished reputation, as well as dis
ID aster and ruin upon all her mighty resour
ces, I shall favor, it becomes necessary, ii
order to meet her obligations, reduction o
N the salaries of all State officials and employees
o. to a mere living rate, and the per. diem 0
=, members Of the Legislature in like proportion
=, [ shall also favor a reduction Of expenses at
ID tending the punishment of crime which here
r tofore have been an enormous drain upon tn
i treasury, and in my opinion, are doubl
ts what they ought to be. At the same time
will be my purpose and cndcavor to enhane
the State revenue by causing repeal ct tn
chartered exemptions from taxation, now hel
so by four fifths Of the railroad and other wealth
"a corporations of this State-among the numbc
= the Chesa peake and Ohio Railroad whic
56 exemptions have been held in other States
be illegal and unconstitutional-in this thu
60 State cannot divest herself perpetually Of tn
80 inherent right of taxation; and should this pc
~ siton prove to be true, there will result frol
" this SOURCE a revenue Of many thousands Of do
- lars which the people are now compelled to max
~ up from their hard earnings, while the corpor-
lions revel in wealth aud defy the tax colet
10 tor with their chartered immunity from tax;
90 ton. 1.-THE reforms and reductions that hay
70 indicated are carried out am thorough
So satisfied that the faith Of the State can
= preserved without imposing any further bul
~ dcns on the people. At any rate, will nj
6 consent to an increase Of taxation, but on tt
-. contrary, will do all in my power, coplpatlb
"e with the public faith, to reduce rather tina
nd increase the present rate.
la, | succeeded near the close of the last Sc
IT. sion Of the Legislature, after long and obst
i nate struggle with the Bankers and Broke
"a Of Richmond, in getting the Finance con
r. mittee to report two bills which became Law
n and greatly enhanced the revenue of Il
in Commonwealth. One was bill imposin
a. taxes upon the National Banks, that ha
- hitherto escaped all State and Corporate
al taxation; this bill has already brought in
the State Treasury, twelve thousand dollar
and into the Treasury Of the Town Of Stau
'ie ton, fourteen hundred dollars. The 9TH
nd was bill requiring the Richmond Banl
ar- to pay interest on the public deposits; tn
Va bill has already brought into the treasury
:, the State ten or twelve thousand dollar
ea and will, before the LIST of April next, ii
to close of the first year of its passage, vie
ais thirty FIVE or forty thousand dollars reven,
b. to the State I am satisfied that other su
va jects of taxation can DC looked up, whie
will yield revenue, and to some extent, r
We lieve the people Of the burdens Of taxation.