The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-08-02
For the Dispatchl
PubIic.SchOOl System and State Dobt.

b. am not q repudiationist, ! am not 4 MAJ
hone man, but must say Malone has writ
ten one OF those peculiar letters which seem
to suit the situation. Reputation is an
ugly word, but reidi ustment is quite differ
emit. 1t does not necessarily mean any harm !;
it may suit every phase OF public opinion.
and gives some comfort to all. Has
not Malone stolen the thunder Of the
Dispatch III so, unlike Mercurius, who,
in times past, was afraid that same thing
might burn him., he has used it freely,
and without the slightest injury to himself;
and L hold he could not have chosen i bet
ter source from which to take counsel The
Whig fiatters him too much, but the Dis
patch has told him his faults plainly and
kindly and no doubt in future he will be
wiser and perhaps q better man. 81 on
say Rustic" in. Dispatch OF 2Bth in
slant, speaks for. himself alone. Ifso, it
would he very small matter what he might
say. But you are mistaken. Surrounded
by the political atmosphere OF town, YOU
cannot hear the opinions OF the country
upon these important topics; and VEN
ture to say il they are discussed upon the
present cline" large majority Of
the whites and nearly all Of the blacks
will be in favor Of sealing the State debt,
u
TO restrict the system Of public instruction
to the elementary branches, and lop off
every possible expense. The admirable
articles of "Civis'' and Dabney failed to
produce their full effect because the people
thought they involved an attack upon the
education OF the masses. The press and
the politicians may wish to have the discus
sion OF these two all-important subjects
kept from the people and referred to the
/ legislature, but surely this is not wise
poIicy. The debt must be paid by the people,
and we all know that the Legislature would
pass dog law as soon as they would
decide upon doing anything until fully in
structcd by the people, II the opponents
OF Malone do not favor any increase OF tax
alton on real and personal property, how is
the debt to be paid Almost everything is
now taxed. The commerce Of the State is
fully taxed; the income from oysters as va
riable and uncertain as the water in which
they grow; the Motfett liquor bill is an I'M
tried experiment. Shall we tax dogs, bach
elors, old maids, and promissory notes, or
apply to Mr.. Williams for a list OF moral
delinquencies from which to raise revenue !?
The example OF France has been often
quoted. Let the candidate who is really in
favor of paying the State debt proclaim
at every meeting that IL necessarily Involves
increased taxation. Let bim impress IL
upon the masses that it is their duty to sub
NIT to it, aud they will believe he Is IN
earnest, and God grant that he may have
Wthe tongue. of persuasion and they the
ears o, protIting =" and that Virginia may be
saved from dishonor. 1t would be well for
a Daniel or Lee to throw himself into the
guH.' but mo more "highfalutin /" about
State honor, winding up with no increase
OF taxation. The people are tired of all
this, and will Judge hardly Of my candidate
who will talk SO. ANY more daIlylne. is
practical Reputation. 8, RUSTIC. /