The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-04-02

never have -burdepPd her bad It not
been fog the unfortunate occurrence
off the war. The sineompIeted works
she bad SO literally fostered were thrown
almost useless upon her hands, and
she had virtually to give them away in order
to utilize them; but still her debt remained.
The war left her crippled and almost pros
| trate, but nevertheless willing to meet her
obligations, for the Legislature Of 1S65-'66
passed bill providing for the payment OF a
norton of the interest then due, and but for
the hiatus OF military government necessa.
rily intervening the provisions of this act
would doubtless have been carried out. We
believe, though, that General Candy did DUR
ing bis administration in Virginia order two
per cent. to be paid. Again, in 1869, upon the
restoration of the State TO the Union, we una
what was called an "expcdiency" Leglsla'
ture-that is, Legislature chosen not so
much because it was the real choice OF the
people as that it was deemed polite to elect
men without previous military or political
rccerd-assembIed to frame new laws under
the reconstruction Constitution. Ihey
tackled the debt question in earnest, as
sumed for Virginia two.hirds OF the ent're
Indebtedness, and passed funding bill LOOK
ing to the settlement of the matter on the
two.thrds basis, leaving to West Virginia
the settlement Of the remaining third. NOW
we have "true Virginia" Legislature,
Ginning Virginia for Virginians," and the
majority chosen without regard TO antece-
dents, but after the deliberate choice OF the
people, and they are undong the WORK OF
their predecessors and daily weakening Inc
credit of the State. 1t was only by dInt
of the most strenuous eXertlonS recently
that an Ubiquitous measure knoWn as
the "Fulkerson amendment was de-
feated in the Senate. 1t had already
pissed the House, and it violated the
express obligation of the State making "con-
sol coupons" receivable for taxes, az under
its provisions they were to be no longer so
receivable. Therefore, we say with the DIS
match, "All honor to the Senate" TOR they
have given i potent check to the repudIa-
tionists in their long strides towards their
dishonorable goal. Despite this, however,
Reputation is no longer whispered of, but
repudiation party is threatened for the next
Campaign. Among other dangerous iallacIe>
presented by these demagogues to their
deuded constituents is one advanced IN
an idea that the Federal Government,
having conquered Virginia, is bound
for her debts. In the matter OF her
honest debts they are willing that
the Old Dominion should assume the rela-
ton of conquered province toward the Gen.
eral Government, but let the General Co.
venment assume to say who shall be their
Governor, and these consistent Firginans
would "make Rome howl" Perhaps, after
all, it would be well for the Government to
assume the debt, for they would surely and
very properly exercise the right of taxing the
people of Virginia for the wberewithal to Ii.
qudate. In this way would the matter be
settled and taken out Of the hands Of imbecile
legislators, who are unable to cope with it,
and who are increasing the debt every year
merely by the accruing of Interest. The
tkicving carpet.baggerS OF the other southern
States haven't done much worse than this.
Even though they dishonesty increased their
States Indebtedness, they have something to
show for it in land and chattclS, ETC., While
Virginia has nothing to show but "accrued
interest,"" On the one hand raScality, on the
other absolute imbecility and even rascal
dislikcs to be called fool. 1t is pitiful
spectacle for the proud old mother to pre-
sent. 1t is to he sincerely hoped that the re-
cent action Of her Senate is but forcrunner
of other actions looking to more healthy
state of affairs as concerns her debt, and that
her people my turn from the ways that lead
to blasted credit, retarded industry, and last
Ing disgrace.