The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-08-30
RATIFICATION.

last Monday evening was neither large nor
enthusiastic, and one acquainted with the
general characteristics of Augusta county
political gatherings would have scarcely re-
cognized it as being Of the same genus.
There was a lamentable lack of whoop and
whisky, and the order, decorum, and gem
eral responsibility which prevailed was in
pleasant contrast with the boisterous pro-
ceedings which have become to be regarded
as the concomitant of public meetings in
this county. Indeed, SO marked was the
difference and so orderly the proceedings,
that many on the outside of the Court House
were unaware of what was going on in the
room, and in blissful ignorance of their loss
were attentively listening to vendor of a
patent cement, who guaranteed his article
to bind indissolubly everything but party
discussions.
ORGANIZATION.
The meeting was called to order by Capt.
James Bumgardner, jr., and David S. Bell,
ESQ.,, appointed chairman, with WIN. A.
Burnett, Secretary, and the editors of the
Conservative papers as assistants.
GEN. JOHN ECHOLS
explained the object of the meeting to be
the ratification of the nominees and platform
of the Richmond Convention. 1t was ma
tural and right, said he, after the delibera-
tions of the Convention, that the people
should assemble in meeting and endorse the
action OF their representatives. The Con-
vention whose action they had met to ratify
was at first stormy and excited, the friends
Of the various candidates having chung to
their choice with wonderful tenacity, but at
length concord reigned, and a selection
worthy of any people was made. AS to the
platform, the greatest question presented in
it was the subject of the public debt. The
speaker then offered the following resolu.
ton:
Resolred, That this meeting of Conserya-
tiyes OF augusta county heartily approves
and endorses the nominations made by the
late State Convention assembled at Rich
mond, and tile platform adopted by that
body.
After reading the resolution, Gen. Ecllols
continued: In regard to the nominees, little
need be said. In the Convention we APP
pealcd to the delegates from other portions
OF the State to give recognition to the claims
of this section. During the one hundred
years OF the existence Of the State govern
ment, no man from the Valley has been
selected to fill the highest position, and OF
forty Governors, only seven have been sent
from west of the Blue Ridge, although be-
fore the ACKNOWLEDGMENT this was, by far,
the largest portion. We told them that the
Valley had not yet been called upon to fur
nish an occupant for the Gubernatorial chair,
and now she presented man who as sol
der, citizen, statesman and scholar was the
peer of any-a man whose private and pub
lie character was above suspicion, and whose
administration of the affairs of the Common
wealth would be controlled by the highest
principles. The Convention did accept the
Valleys choice, and T. W. NJ. Holiday was
the nominee. Then came the nomination of
Walker, one of Augusta's sons, for Lieuten-
ant Governor, and Raleigh Il. Daniel for
Attorney General. The death of this emil
nent jurist we all regret, and it will devolve
upon the State Executive Committee to
name his successor. The ticket, when COM
plete, will unquestionably be good one
one that will be credit to the State, and to
the men of that ticket we can safely cntrust
her interests.
Gen. Echols then read the platform adopt
ed by the Richmond Convention, and spoke
OF it as follows: 1t seems to me that this
platform is one upon which all good men OF
the Conservative party can stand. Its prin-
cipal feature is the subject of the public
Gebt. 1t says the people must have relief,
and it pledges us to adjust the debt as far as
possible. As member of the Convention
voted for the platform, and conscientiously
believe that it an earnest, honest effort was
made in business way, an adjustment could
be effected. It is a question which must be
approached with elaboration, with calm
ness, and with spirit Of fricndlness. Into
its settlement there must enter no anger, no
elimination and recrimination, no charges
and counter charges, but spirit of coucilia-
ton must reign. We are all in the same
boat, pledged to stand by the honor Of the
State, and obtain fair readjustment of her
If we can. 1t is known that under
the Funding Bill the interest on $40. 100000
is receivable for taxes, whilst upon $lO,-
100000 no interest is being paid. Many
OF the bonds are held IN Europe, and the
holder thereof has to clip his coupons every
six months, and after paying expressage.
insurance, &C., places them in the hands of
American agents, who push them on the
market at about 80 cents. When deductions
are made for commissions, &c., the holder
rarely realizes per cent, and waits months
and months for that. If we 60 to these
creditors and tell them that we want to ad-
just this matter in accordance with our ability
to pay-that we guarantee you per cent. in
gold on your bond, thereby enhancing its
value, think they would be glad to do it.
As an individual, would be glad to do it.
Recently, have seen letter from one of
the most clear-headed and astu:e iinanciers
Of the North, who holds Virginia bonds to
the amount Of $4,000. In it he says that he
would be willing to meet the agents of the
State and agree upon some fair adjustment.
He is but representative Of many, for
have it from some of the largest capitalists
of the North that there is an anxiety to have
this question settled definitely and satisfac-
torily. Let us make the effort, and make it
honestly and manfully.
Has it never occurred to you that the eX
penses OF our State government are greater
now than in 1860, when the State was one
third larger? and yet we stand by and sub
NIT to this extravaganza. Let us go to work
and curtaii expenses, as we would in our in
dividual affairs. Let us retrench, reform,
and cut down, and hold our representatives
to rigid account for their actions. In the
matter Of criminal offences, for petty viola
tions Of law, instead Of costly trials, the ex-
pense of taking the prisoner to the peniten-
tiary, &C., let the magistrates inhict about
forty stripes and let the offender go. In
this way saving of from $4,000 to $l5O,OO0
per annum would be effected. By biennial
sessions, another reduction OF about 100000