The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-02-20
THE PRESS

THE PRESS
ON
Gov. Walkers Special Message.
washington STIR lind. Rep.l. February g..
A New Dcnarsurc Towards Federalism.
Governor Walker, Of Virginia, claims to
have discovered a remedy for reputation
and method Of approaching American sccu-
rites which is novel, to say the least OF it.
He gravcly suggests, in his message to the
Legislature Yesterday, that the National
Government should assume the present debts
of all the States, and that they should enter
into a solemn agreement to abstain from con-
tracing any debts in future except such as
may lie found necessary to the legitimate ana
effective execution OF their governmental
functions, or such as may he required By
sudden and great emergencies. A rcsolu-
ton based on these propositions has actually
been introduced in The Legislature. That
the commonwealth should not hereafter
contract debts they are unable 10 pay is well
enough. but Il proposition coming from hat
bot-bcd Of States rights, the Old Dominion,
Tue States under guardianship in the manner
proposed, locks like new departure towards
federalism.
An Astonishing Proposition
fBallimcre American Utcpublican). February 81
The most astonishing proposition which,
has been rromul gated recently is that CT Co.
vernon Walker in hi; me. sage 10 the Virginia
legislature Yesterday. 1t is nothing less
than that the National Government should
assume The dcb;s IF all the States. Some few
weeks ago there was Il report that this scheme
was proposed by certain politicians, to APP
ply 10 the southern States alone, but Co
vernon Walker 50 far improves upon tie orr
"insl project that he wants to embrace every
State in the Union. The idea Is absurd, and
perhaDs'not even Governor Walker himself
aupposcs that it will ever have practical frui-
ton. Not one of the northern States would
desire the Government to pay its debts, and
those lately in rebellion are every day APP
preaching nearer to a condition Of solvency.
These are net the days of 1889, and none Of
our commonwcalthS are so rich in obiga-
lions and Door in resources that they need
90 begging at the doors of the NATIONAL
Treasury.
Troubles.
TalcXandria Sentinel Conservative, February 1871
Governor Walker has conceived and iui-
tiatcd movement which, il it can he carried
out, promises most bappy solution Of the
financial dillicutie, which have so terribly
exercised our legislators of late. and will
stamp him as the originator of the greatest
bcnciaction and wiscst measure of lacitir,-
ton which could have been devised for the
closer union and prosperous advancement
OF all the great interests of The country.
vcry Visionary.
IIHnchburg Republican Conn. February 1aI
Rcscrying for another issue fuller discus
sion OF the Governors suggestions, we need
only say that did there appear to bca shadow
Of human probability that these suggestions
would take practical shape we would give
them an enthusiastic endorsement. But, re-
gardlng them, to say the least Of it, as very
visionary, aud rs putting to too great a test
orr belief in Yankee crcdulity, we dismiss
the matter for to-day with the expression Of
the opinion that 10 good will come of it, and
that its only effect will be to further compli-
cate our financial difficulties, out of which
our wise men have for months been seeking
some means Of honorable escape. ..
Assuming the g.e5eI Debt.
New York Commercial Advertiser (Hepublicani,
February Is
The first noticeable outcropping Of this
scheme is presented in the special message of
Governor Walker, Of Nirginia,-a man who
combines In himself the Liberal" aud the
Democrat, and who is in so far the index of
the purpose which underlaid the Fusion
party, so badly beaten at the late election.
Sundry charges as to the plans and designs Of
this political coalition were made during the
campaign, and among them the charge that
the payment of the rebel debt was Intended.
This was vigorously denied. But the source
from which the present proposition springs
shows that the allegations Of the canvass had a
substantial basis. The amount at stake III
this scheme for the Federal assumption OF
the State Indebtedness is some $40 100000,
of which about Ss5,O00,000 are chargeable to
the war. OF the entire amount of State in.
debtedness, one-ha!f, or about Gi,0GO,0 900,
belongs 10 the States which entered into the
rebellion. These largely increased their debt
during the war. 1t is in reality for tue relief
OF these States that this measure is proposed.
Their burdens are greater than they can lie II.
The loyal States ask no such relief, and we
are very sure they will zee no gond reason
why the Federal Government, alter pay ing
the cost OF the war for the Union, should as
sumo the payment of expenses incurred
in the attempt to destroy the Union. or
course it is easy to show THAT $3i0,00D,000
are mere bagateile when added to the M
tional debt, and that Sl5,000,0O0 OF inter
ct are rs nothing, particularly when the
relief Afforded these commonwealth is taken
into consideration, and especially since the
people are SO fond of paying taxes that they
gladly raise IL surplus every year Of 800, 00O,-
600 wherewith to pay the national debt. A
further proposition of Governor Walker Is
that the States shall agree to create no new
debt ercept such us may be found necessary
fcrIh legitimate functions of its govern
mcnt, or may be required by any great emer-
geucy. He fails to point out the way by
Which sovereign State can be prevented
from running in debt, particularly since it
must be the judge OF what an "emergency"
or the functions OF its government may
demand. Governor Walker makes p,alsi-
BILE argumentin behalf Of bis scheme, but il
will not be Endorsed by the public. If the
people of New York have created Il debt they
are willing and able to pay it. and no differ
cnt rule should apply to Virginia or Texas.
, .IT 'STlLl.e Lives. '-1be Chicago Tribune
says the Cincinnati Q.iberal Republican,
movement appears not to be SO dead as it
was supposedto be, and 1t may receive con-
siderable impetus troinany iethargy or laches,
on the part OF Congress in treating Hith the
Credit-Mohitier s:andrl. The Tribune thinks
ii yyil M, do IN arpel fhc man yyhn ~. /.