The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-10-11

nlgn influences CT Christian CIVILIZATION.
The Public Schools OF Virginia must be
perpetuated and developed, whatever other
interest suffers. They are the hope of the
State, the very essence of good government,
material progress and enlightened legislation.
Taxation before Reputation
This is the motto that Gen. Walker flames
before the people, as though there was any
class of men in Virginia who proposed re-
pudiation. He knows as well as he knows
anything, that there is no sentiment of re-
pudiation in Virginia, in the sense he uses
the term, and for him to assume that there
is, is a deliberate insult to the people Of the
State. This charge has been repeated over
and over again, until many persons outside
Of Virginia believe that those who favor re-
adjustment really desire reputation Of
the debt Of the State. There was never any
thing more utterly unfounded. The pur-
pose of the friends of REIMBURSEMENT is really
to prevent ''repudiation,' for they recog-
nize the fact that the policy heretofore pur-
sued, which has effected default in inter-
est of nearly million year until it aggre-
gates something less than six million dollars
in six years, must eventually bring about
reputation. 1t is to arrest this that read
justment is demanded. 1t is to place the
expenditures of the State within the power
of the revenues derived from the present
rate OF taxation, that the people are asking
n is 70 ka1l oh
and preserve public credit, to respect the
Constitution and vindicate the integrity of
the people, that the revolt now going on all
over the State against the trading politicians
and ring managers. is receiving such impe-
tus. The very existence OF the State is in
volved in the contest. The people have
quietly submitted to the fragrant wrongs
that have been perpetrated against them
until the magnitude of the evils have APP
palled them. They realize the awful condi-
ton of public affairs, and it is their purpose
to make an honest, earnest effort to rescue
the State from the deplorablc complica-
tons which environ her. 1t is to :epudiate
the policy that effects default in the inter-
est, that robs the school fund, that practical
| ly degrades one class OF creditors and digni..
| files another, that paralyzcs all our public
enterprises, drives away our citizens and
excludes emigration, which the people aim
| at. No other reputation is designed, and
none other is expected. Gen. Walker does
great wrong to the people of Virginia
when he intimates that there is even re-
mofn nnsSihllitv nf ouv ofhor ropuIiof;op
He is as unfortunate in his selection OF terms
in this instance, as he was some weeks ago
| when he drew upon his Imagination for a
condition of things to denouncc.
| EX-Gov. G. C. Walker and Gen. james A.
| Walker, have delivered speeches in Rich
mond recently, and discussed the State Debt
question. There is nothing in either that is
new or original both are full of high pre-
tensions, and barren of practical suggestions.
The general line of their remarks is to the
effect that the Funding Bill is inviolable,
and that its sanctity must be observed
though all other interests are ignored, and
| the very existence of the State threatened
Following the arguments of Mr.. Stuart, Mr..
Waddell. and the funders generally, they
contemplate as one of the consequences of
the operation of the Funding Bill, and the
restrictions of the expenses of government
to the present revenues, the destruction, or
serious impairment of the Public Schools.
| This seems to be the conclusion OF all who
maintain the present ruinous policy. There
is consistency about it. 1t is in harmony
with the policy that robbed the School fund
in the interest of the funding bill. We hear
of no complaint that the Constitution has
been violated and the laws dcficd in the
diversion of this fund. The insidious purpose
which has thus far controlled, of depriving
the Public Schools of the means the people
pay into the Treasury for their support, so
that dissatisfaction might grow because of
the necessary imperfections in the system
by reason of the absence of healthy opera
tons, seems to be receiving tangible shape
and open recognition. The design, from
| the first, has been to cripple the Schools by
robbing them of their legitimate support,
and then charge it upon the system. The
opposition to it is covered by the plea that
| usASAo 10 q uikhCh lCoUlLs3 upOl tilC
| State in the maintenance of her credit as in
corporated in fraudulent legislative enact
ment. The deception is too transparent
The people understa nd it, and will see to it
| that this great public boon is protected
from the assaults of its enemies, and will
not be made subordinate to the demands Of
the spectators in the States misforJunes.
The Messrs. Walkers, in their mistaken
conception Of public sentiment and the in
teligsnt understanding by the people of the
true condition of affairs, have exposed their
real purpose and that of those who are act
ing with them. The purpose is, stripped of
all concealments, to destroy the Public
Schools, that the Funding Bill may be held
inviolate, though the Constitution and the
laws be disregarded and the most sacred in
| terests of the Commonwealth trampled I'M
der foot.
The people have one effectual defence to
interpose and that is the Legislature. With
that body rejecting popular sentiment, the
sanctions Of the Constitution will be re-
spected, the schools protected, and the Gov
Ohuol oH0 AiOutCilililt 0OvGLuOt SCG tG Ut
| fance.
| Every friend of the Public School system
should vote the readjustment ticket. The
Interpretation given to the Richmond plat
form by the suppo rters OF the Funding Bill
will necessitate the destruction Of the Pub
lie Schools. Ex-Gov. Walker and Gen. J.
A. Walker have both as much declared.
They are the only persons who have assumed
to interpret the pc Icy of the Funding Bill
supporters. If there is to be no increase of
taxes, there must be expenses Topped off
somewhere, and Gen. Walker says there is
no place to strike but at the Public Schools
or the Peeler Bonds. We do not accept his
logic and conclusion as law, but they show
to what the Funders will resort to mai ntain
the advantage they now have. They would
strike down every other interest-destroy