Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-03-31
Xirciuia-s Debt.

creditors the present attitude Of Virginia in
regard TO her public debt is fraught with
painful anxiety and fOTebOdings anything
but cheerful. She stands alone among the
southern states, IN not having to complain OF
carpet bag misrule and extravaganza, AM
yet her complaints Of her debt are even
louder than those of her more unfortu-
nate southern sisters. who claim that their
debts were conceived and uttered in fraud.
while she cannot claim any such thing.
Virginia. cherishing the plans and schemes
Of internal Improvement of her ilIustrious
son, George Washington. and his co aIiutor
engineerS-especially that having i'm view the
connection of the Mississippi Valley with the
seabOart- before the late war poured forth
her resources lavishly in their development.
Millions were expended in the construction
of the James river canal destined to unite the
waters OF the Mississippi with those of the
Atlantic, and millions more were expended
in the construction of the Chesapeake and
Ohio railroad, now in successful opera
ton between the Ohio and James rivers.
Besides these there were other works upon
which the state patronage was literally be-
slowed. and in this way was much of her
debt created, ard il would never have bur
dened her had il not been for the unfortunate
occurrence of the war. The iEcompleted
works she had 50 literally fOstcreI 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
1rate, but nevertheless willing To meet her
obligations. for the legislature of 1S6J-'66
passed bill providing for the payment OF
a portion II the interest then due. and but
Tor the hiatus OF military government necas-
sariiy Intervening. the provisions OF this act
Il Il tInea
believe. though. that General Candy did,
during his administration in Virginia order
TWO per cent TO be paid Again in is69. upon
The restoration of the state To the Union. we
ind what was called an '.eXpeliency" legis-
iature-that is, legislature chosen. not so
much because il was the real choice of the
people, rs that IL was deemed polite to elect
men without previous military or political
record. assembled to frame new laws under
the reconstruction constitution. They
tackled the debt question in earnest, assumed
for Virginia two-thirds of the entire indebt-
ness. and passed a funding bill looking TO
the settlement of the matter on the two
thirds basis. leaving TO West Virginia the
settlement OF the remaining third. Now we
have s. fIue Virginia" legislature, claiming
" Virginia for NirginianS.' and the majority
chosen without regard TO anteceCients, but
after the deliberate choice of the people. and
they are undoing the work OF their predeces-
sors, and daily weakening the credit of the
state. IL was only by dint of the most siren
nous exertions recently that an iniquitous
measure known as the FulkersOn amend
meDt' was defeated in the senate. IL had
already passed the house and ii violated the
express obligation of the state making con-
sol coupons" receivable for taxes. as under
its provisions they were To be no longer 50
Ypcplyahip. Therefore, with
patch. "All honor 10 the senate for they
have given potent check to the repudi-
ationists in their long strides towards their
diShonorable goal. Despite this, however,
reputation is no longer whispered of, but
reputation party is threatened for the next
campaign Among other dangerous faIlacies
presented by these demagogues to their
deluded constituents. il one advanced in
an idea that the federal government
having conquered Virginia, j. bound
Tor her debts. In the matter of her
honest debts, they are willing that
the Old Dominion should assume the rela-
lion ofa conquered province toward the gem
rral government. but let the general gov
eminent assume 10 say who shall be their
Governor. and these consistent Nir2inian>
would make Rome howl Perhaps. after
all. IL would b. well fer the government 10
assume the debt. for they would surely and
very properly exercise tine right of taxing The
people of Virginia for the wherewithal TO
liquidatc. In this way would the matter ne
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
fhieving carpet-bagger of the other southern
states haven't done much wor>e than this
Even though they dishonesty increased their
states indebtedness, they have something TO
show for il in land and chatteIS. etc, while
Virginia has nothing to show bu; accrued
Interest" On the one hand raScality, on the
other absolute imbecility. and even a rascal
dlslikes 70 be called fool. IL is pitiful
spectacle for the proud old mother TO present.
IL Is To b. sincerely hoped that the recent
action OF her senate is but a forerunner of
Other actions locking 10 a more healthy state
Df affairs "a concerns her debt. and that her
people may turn from the ways that lead To
blasted credit, retarded industry and lasting
disgrace.
AfS now that Congress has departed the
edict goes forth that the keno wheel must