Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1875-09-30
To The Voters Of Shenandoah.

10 Lie VOLorS OF Dl0luuuO1l
Having announced myself ). candidate
tor the HOUSE OF DELEGATES. take
this method vi presenting myself before
you, and OF giving my position upon
some OF the questions OF interest most
likely to claim the attention OF the next
Legislature.
MY POLITICAL POSITION,
which should be the first subject of en-
quiry, is very generally understood by the
voters of this county who are at all
oonversant with the history of the re-
construction of the State government, as
! we'll as of the reorganization of this Gotin
ty. Immediately after the war 1 est.b-
lished the SHENANDOAH HERALD and
| identified it with the Democratic press of
the State, which was then devoted to the
cause OF constitutional reconstruction
Thus becoming identified with the impor-
tant questions OF State ard county inter
ests my political opinions, and position
upon questions of State policy were free
iy given, and stand recorded ngAi nst me
as Democratic in principle and Conserva-
tive in nel:tl policy and, i am proud to
believe that my services in the editorial
conduct Of one of your Democratic sor-
gans, together with my colaborers of the
press. had no little influence in securing
the favorable reconstruction that now char
acterizes our political position over other
Ia T.,.t,, -, MA
suit of the con test in those evcntfu wears
shows that you fully sustained and en-
dorsed my course through the ordeal of
recons tructioE and reorganization, as well
as through theseveral holly contested State
and National political campaigns,ln which
were discussed the questions of most vital
impoi lance. when believe, also became
tamilarizcd with the Necessities of the
people with whose interests my own have
ever been thoroughly Identified.
In the present unsatisfactory condition
of both the financial and social status of
the State, it will be difficult for any one
to anticipate all the various questions of
interest that may claim the attention of
the succeeding esi>ll lures, but l will
endeayor, as it is the duty of every call
didate without equivo cation, to define
my s,osition upon sore OF those already
suggested.
THE PUBLIC DEBT
has been talked Of in this canvass more
than any other question, and is as various
ly:and indilie:ently understood-for the
reasons that legislation has developed it
in confusion and some designing politi-
clans have discussed it only from the
stand-poiu1 ofeast casuist. | am. on the
one hand. opposed to reputation, ana in
favor, on the other, Of effective me assures
for its liquidation. which will take a
prudent mean between the policy OF
those partiSans who advocate immediate
payment and those Who Indefinitely post
pOne. ] am, also. of the opinion of our
present Governor. that by judicious leg
isla,ion and prudent retrenehment of the
governmental expenditures that the
State will be enabled to relieve herself
from this financial incubus, and s9reseryc
wealth without the necessity of excessive
increase of taxation. Under the pres ent
policy Of the Sinking Fund provision, and
other Legislative acts designed 10 create
new sources of revenue, Il very hopeful
outlook is suggested. There are wealthy
corporations and tloulishing enterprises
within the State that have heretofore con-
tributed but little to the public revGif,,t,
that should be assessed according to the
general law; which. together with wise
financial policy and elective measu: es to
devclope andtosrcEthe various sources of
wealth i'll The State, will prove the means
OF solving this financial problem.
This happy condition must not be ex-
pecled as The immediate result of the acts
of one legislature, nor from the individual
efforts OF your ieprcsentalives,Uu must be
seconded by the cooperative agency OF the
people themselves i'll their individual :ela-
tons. 10y exercising a liberal and enterpri-
slug policy in establishing and prosecuting
the various branches of industry leading
to a full Development of every source OF
wealth that will increase the taxable cap
ital OF The State, and thus augment the
revenue without Increasing the rate OF
taxation.
IMMlGRATION.
The act f)r encouraging Land Purchas-
ers and actual settlers in Virginia, as
passed by our last Legislature kas = feat
ure of commemGable merit, and should
receive the fostering care of succeeding
legislatures. The sdsslxud ideas of the
past must be succeeded by an aggressive
policy, and the realization Of tlle-necessi-
ties of the present must crowd out the
mem cries of an improvident past. Under
tho new regime with Our changed insti-
buttons and new labor system, We must
offer Inducements to immigration, that
our waste places may be built up, neg
lected fields be reclaimed and made pro-
ductive. and the innunerable streams
that irrisate our fertile plains and valleys
become, as well, throbbiny pulses to a new
life of manufacturing Industry. I'm
migrants will net only bring with them
their mvneyed capit,l,-b what is vastly
better--liie. enterprise and industry
which are the great additions to product