Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1874-04-23

stanGal relief. Sooner or latter the
question must be fairly met and the
committee, Judging from the past his.
tory Of Virginia, cannot for moment
believe8that her people will ever give
countenance to any measure of doubt
full morality
1t is true that Virginia has been
greatly Impoverished. At the close OF
the late war it was a common remark
among the people that Virginia had
lost everything save her homer. Thia
priceless heritage she never did, and
in the 9pipio2 of'your committee never
will, surreilti r. .-...
1t is tfii;e that Virginia has lost one
third of her territory and one half of
her taxable values, but she has turned
over the war to be adjusted by West
Virginia She still retains an imperial
! domain, in the. very heart Of the, great
confederation Of States, rich in mineral
agricultural manufacturing, and com
mercial resources, blessed with a
climate temperate genial and healthfal,
and adapted to the production Of all
the cereals, fruits, tobacco, vegetables,
cotton, and grasses, which at . future
day will lie sources Of bopndless wealth.
She possesses, too, q. population brave,
intelligent industrious, energetic, and
capable in all respects of developing
her resources. All that is needed IS
time to restore her, her ancient pros
| perity. Already we see in many parts
Of the State unmistakable evidences of
| material progress. Our cities and
towns are growing in wealth and popu
| 1atioh with rapidity unprecedented
before the war. immigration and
capital have begun to Flow into our
State, and we have reason to believe
] that the influx will continue to Increase
in volume with each Succeeding year
New mines are being opened; new
manufactures are being commenced;
new branches of industry are being es-
tablished, and all the signs of the times
indicate a rapid and steady advance in
prosperity. Before another decade
shall have passed away we haYe, ast
ground for believing that the material
interests of Virginia will be placed on
a. frmer foundation. than at any pre-
| vioas peiiod Of her history. There is
therefore, no reason for dependency
among the people of Virginia, on the
contrary, everything wears a hopeful
aspect, and your committee do not
hesitate to express the opinion that it
is the duty of the Legislature and of
the public press to cultivate and
strengthen healthful and cheerful
| sentiment among the people
Virginia is now able without inpos
ing serious burthens on her people to
pay an interest of four per cent per
annum on her share of the debt. This
your committee are assured will for
the present be satisfactory to most of
her creditors. After the re-assessment
Of the lands Of the Commonwealth in
1872 and under the operation of more
stringent laws 10 insure honest returns
of personal property and income and
license for taxation, there is just ground
for believing that without any material
Increase OF the present rate of taxation
sufficient revenue viii be raised to
meet the full interest on the debt of the
State, and thus to re-establish her cred
it in the commercial circles of the world
The only mode by which these pleasing
results, can be delayed Or defeated is by
linking the honored name of Virginia
with reputation, which. in the opinion
of your committee, is but another for
disaster and disgrace.
Yonr. committee therefore recon-
mend that the bill for appropriating all
the money in the Treasury in excess
Of the current EXPENSES of the State
Government to the sinking fund be te-
jected.