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

THE OPENING OF THE CANVASS.
MAI. A. KOINER ADDRESSES THE PEOPLE
REPLIED TO BY COL. j. II. SKINNER,
JUDGE J. II. NC CUE Ard MR.. S. B. AL.
LEN-MR. BLAUTH MAKES SPEECH,
&C., &C., sc.
1t having been announced that Maj A,
Koiner would address the people on court
day, it was expected this first shot would
elicit a reply from his opponents, and quite
large crowd had gathered in town by one
O'Clock, The business before the court
would not admit of a recess, SO Mr.. Koi-
ner took his position on the east steps of
the portico, and commenced with a small
audience, which was soon increased to a
large and attentive assemblage of those
most interested-the taxpayers Of the
county.
Mr.. K. said, responding to the call Of
his friends, he had announced himself a
candidate for the State Senate, and it was
due to the people of Augusta, that his
views on public questions should be pub
icly announced, and the people disabused
of some erroneous impressions produced by
utterances of a portion of the public press.
His interests, pecuniary and otherwise,
were those of the people, but his views as
regarded the great question at issue-the
State debt-which had been imperfectly
given on another occasion, had been some
what misunderstood. He wished to ex-
press himself more fully, and though he
had not thought this the time to take un-
der consideration this important subject,
the State convention had taken the mat
ter in hand, and pronounced platform on
which he would stand with the Conserva-
tive party, as he was a member of that con-
vention, and true to that party.
A bona fide effort should be made to re-
adjust the debt Of the State, butthe public
faith must not be compromised, nor should
the taxes be increased. He did not think
that must necessarily follow our mainten-
ance of the States honor and good faith,
and many shreWd and able financlerS held
the same opinion. There was difference
an unjust difference-betwee the fund
ed debt creditors and those holding the
peelers, and that ought to be adjusted. A
proper economy, a severe economy, would
greatly reduce the public expense, but
there was great difference between diff
ferent PERSONS ideas of economy. What
with another. He had done all in his power,
while member of the legislature, to carry
out his own ideas of economy, and had
killed measures involving an outlay of
s15O,O0O, by representing to the originators
the great expense attending, and the little
benefit accruing to the people of the State.
He had been surpri led to see the disincli-
nation to Work and the readiness OF mem
bers to adjourn and when expoStulating
with delegate from the tidewater on this
point, his reply was, s'when the house is not,
in session the people are not in danger.
there was. much truth in that. The
speaker alluded to the means of retrench-
ment now adopted, among Others the blen-
mial session of the legislature. and thought
shat much more could be done by dispens-
ing with sinecure offices, curtailing sala-
ries, &c., and thought it would be still
further improvement if the legislature did
not meet more than once in years. One
source of our perplexities was the large
number of unemployed persons. Out of
1925, 1853, the present population Of the
State there were S12,0 900 without employ
ment. This was too great difference.
While 244,O00 persons are engaged in agri-
cultural pursuits, there are $4,000 in pro-
fessional service, OF waiting on the 244 OOU
to tell them how to spend their money.
That is all unhealthy state OF things.
There were too few producers. 1t was
time to call halt. Financierirg would
not pay the debt, but industry and econo-
my would. The time was coming, and at
hand when capital would flow into the
State; you say we have heard that before,
why has it not come? The answer is there
has been lack of confidence on the part
of northern men who held the capital, but
convince them of our determination to
maintain the credit and honor of the State
to pay our debts and be honorable men and
the capital will come and Virginia start on
a new era of progress.
Mr.. Koiner then went on to speak of the
mistaken ideas held by many as to the
amount of the States Indebtedness. 1t be-
ing placed by some as high as $55, 200, 900.
The Governor and Auditor under their
sworn statements deduct the one-third for
which w. Virginia is responsible and Vlir-
GINA not bound for a dollar of it and put
the debt in round numbers at $29.00J,000.
Applying to this sum the reductions to be
realized from the operation OF the Sinking
Fund Bill and there was left s26, T66, 200,
which was the bottom of it, no matter
who said to the contrary. Divide this
among 1,225, 900 inhabitants gives $22,71 to
pay in "a years, or 81 ,93 year to every
.one of the population Of the State, Was
that hard A poor sewing girl with her
machine could pay it and If the strong men
of the country would not pay that much
to save their proud old State from dishon-
or. the women and children would coma to
h er rescue. Those who were busiest in
del7ising means to get rid of paying the
public debt, would be the quickest to re-
nudiate their private obligations. &
Would you as fathers leave to your sons
shis charge; "adjust your debts, get rid of
YOUR obligations one way or another?" No /!
Rather YOU would enjoin upon them, not to
incur obligations you can not fulfill, pay
your debts and be honest. So IN public mat
tiers. We may adjust but we must not and
cannot coerce. ..
Amid loud calls for Skinner and McCue,
Judge McCue came forward and made
short and animated address, INDUCING at
fine outset in some sarcastic filings at his