The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-01-23
PENNsYHyANaA's EXAMPLE,.

1t is thirty years ago-not twenty--that Penn
sylvauia was in the present plight OF Virginia
derelict in the matter of keeping the public
faith The Rev Sydney Smith-who was q
bondholdeT--impaled " the drab-eoated men' of
that state on one of his shafts of wit, as the de-
linquents, but most unjustly, as the Quakers
have ever been prompt and accomplishing in
the matter of paying taxes wherever located.
In fact, it was not the peoples fault at all
it was the legislatures. That body contained too
many tirnid souls, who misudged the
people; and from groundless fear of
the consequences to their own petty
personal popularity, they for several years re-
fused to levy sufficient faxes to pay the interest.
The writer of this paragraph was editor
there, at the time, and well remembers the
whip and spur that had to be put to the timid
and balky members, through the press to make
them faee the music. Ii was done however,
and The tax raised fifteen cents on the hundred
dollars. Instead of revolution, as some had
AIRED, the people simply said well done ~ and
calmly paid the increase, whereby the states
credit was restored. No member who voted for
the increase ever lost vote in consequence
thereof
Since hen Pennsylvania has paid off TWEEN
| tyfve millions of her debt, and now owes only
sixteen millions. For some years there has
been no state tax on real estate. All her revenue
is derived from taxing corporations auctions,
&c, yet she is paying off her debt " the rate
OF more than two millions year. When she
went in for the maintenance of state faith and
public honor, she took the tide Of prosperity
at the food and for thirty years it has led her
on to fortune Why should old Virginia stand
tide may ebb, aud then IL may be too late.
SENEX.
1t may be well to mention that the pay
Of members of the Pennsylvania legisla-
ture was then--and for many years after
three dollars day only, and that when
they raised the tax they made a thorough
oyerhauling ard reduction in state
expenditures in every direction.
No complaint of selfshness or
Partially could be brought against them.
But still, we adhere to the opinion, as
one irnpregnably laid in right and justice,
that, by the complete and entire extn-
guishment of the old State of Virginia, the
Federal government made itself liable for
her debts, and is bound in honor, and by
the recognized usages and principles govern
ing civilized nations, to pay them and we
desire to have the Republican party, in the
next general election in the State, take this
high ground, independently of national
issues, and maintain it. We challenge
refutation of our position on this subject
but, to receive any notice from us, or
insertion in our columns, it must be able,
and go to the substantive points we have
raised. 1t is no answer to say you don't
like ii or that Tom Jones don't like it--that
you had rather see the people of Virginia
taxed to death than have the Federal gov
eminent do a just and magnanmous thing
towards a people but lately in rebellion.
This is no answer to the question presented.
1t is question Of right, justice
and magnanimity, and not one for
the qualification of personal pique and
enmity; nor is it one to be decided with
out regard to the fundamental principles of
national jurisprudence, covering internatio-
nal law.