Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-09-28

and hoped he would not lose the votes OF
his friends because he was not a tiller OF
the soil. He was glad to see among those
who had called On him a number OF names
OF good old Wings who had always voted
against him when he had been put up
again and again as Democratic leader of
the forlorn hope, and was pleased now to
have their confidence and support He
was no eager Office seeker and did not wish
to go to Richmond unless he could go on
a platform which his honor and judge
ment approved.
After congratulating the Conservative
party on the high character and talents of
their nominees on the State ticket and the
improved prospects Of the country showing
dawning of good feeling between the Sec
tions, and while disclaiming any sympathy
with Republicanism, he took occasion to
pay deserved compliment to President
Hayes, who had in the firm maintenance
of his wise and benefcent policy done more
under Pr evidence for the South than we
could have expected from a Democratic
administration. [Cheers.]
AS to the main issue, the State debt, he
saw no way of getting rid OF it except by
paying it and considered that much of the
deficit complained of was due to the low
assessments on property. The assessed val
ue of property in Virginia now fell $40, 600
900 below what it was when the funding bill
was passed. Real estate was assessed in
some instances greatly below its value, in
stances being cited where $50 and 800 per
acre was asked for land assessed at SIS
and s22, in the western portion of the
State, and in East Virginia land held at
$50 which the assessors books put at SIS.
Under the operation of the funding bill
he thought the action of the States credi-
tors IN releasing the State from one-third
of her obligation and taking Vest Virgin
la for it, thereby letting the old mother off
with Is millions and waiting "a years for
the balance was a magnanimous compro-
mise, and the measure had the commenda-
ton of some Of Augusta wjsest and pur-
est sons, among whom were the late Col.
J. B. Baldwin and Hons. A. HI. Fl. Stuart
and Jos. A. Waddell.
With regard to the unfunded portion of
nine and quarter of millions which the
s'Valley Virginian /" the able and astute Or
gan Of the adjusters, stated was held by Vir
ginia's widows and orphans, he wished to
know what sort of a picture would be pre-
scented to our people when this long pro-
cession in mourning should present them
selves to the legislature and demand their
honest dues and should be told that when
officers salaries, the school tax &C., were
settled, if there was any left they might
have it. That kind Of morality would not
be tolerated by the law abiding and honor
able people Of Augusta. He was in IA
vor Of public schools, but wanted the
children taught something more than
geography and arithmetic; would not his
hearers rather have their children virtuous
and honest than educated?
Col. Skinner agreed with we'll informed !
gentlemen that it was possible the Moi
fet Bill and other measures in force would |
pay the interest on the debt, but if not,
would you not be willing to increase the |
tax to do it?
A voice-Would you be willing to serve
without pay, as Washington did?
Col. Skinner esl willingl free
ly--if my fellow-members WOULD SO as to |
make the saving to the State matter of |
some account.
COL S. then said that though reluctant |
to do so, he wished to make personal ex-
PLANTATION: That though his appearance
would belle the statement, he was a
''bloated bond-holder.'' Out of $4,000
which his father, an old naval officer, had
put in Virginia bonds as his life's savings,
he now held S. 900, with which to pay his
taxes. In his administrative capacity he
had relinquished $4,000 of it., and when
the funding bill was repealed he had been
forced to sell cut most of the remainder at
heavy discount. His case would serve
as an Illustration, of how Virginia's credi-
tors had been made to suffer.
The speaker closed with an eloquent ap-
peal:to the people Of proud old Augusta to
maintain the honor and good name of the
Commonwealth and by her upright and
honorable course instead Of offering to the
emigrant a home among a ruined and
impoverished people to welcome him to a
proud State who prized her good name
above silver and gold. ais-iS''
Inresponse to many calls from the crowd,
which remained remarkably attentive I'M
der the circumstances, Mr.. S. B. Allen also
spoke bl efy. He could not see that a
single point had been made that could
not be conJrOVerted.
The first thing to be done was to elect
honest representative men who would re-
fleet credit upon their constituencies we'll
as represent the opinions of the majority Of
the people. .
The great absorbing question was one Of
business, of dollars and cents, of large in
crease of t. alton or of adjustment. Could
we afford to indulge in the Illusions Of
wealth when the State was in bankruptcy
and could not negotiate the loan of a single
dollar. His good friends OF the VINDICA-
TOR had undertaken to explain this state of
things, by stating that there was q party of
regulators attempting to get hold OF the
government. If there was any credit to be
given to this statement, it Was only such as
its source entitled it to. The true reason
was the pressure of coupons on the market
and the State could not get them taken
The precincts of the school fund had been
Invaded to force a balance sheet, and the
government run by loans until we could go
no further, and STATE smen warn us OF an
overwhelming flood Of debt and ruin which
await us if this state of things continues.
There were two parties contending for
supremacy. one supporting the funding bill