The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-12-13
Correspondence OF Valley Virginian.
LETTER FROM RICHMOND.


REA GREAT BATTLE BE
GUN IN THE SENATE-SIGNAL GUN OF
THE CONFLICT FIRED BY SENATOR
PAUL, OF ROCKINGHAM
RICHMOND, December IL The fight for
the command OF the situation has fairly com
menced, and victory is with the readiusters.
who are the real representatives of the Yir-
gnia people on the great State debt ques-
ton. The fight opened with the election of
Speaker Of the House of Delegates, the re
adjusters having determined in conference
to retire, or rather to refuse to elect or re :
elect Major Marshal Hanger, of Augusta,
who represented the funding element in the
Legislature. Slight skirmishing has been
going on all along the line every day since,
and on Monday the great battle was begun
in the Senate, by the firing of the first gun
by that fearless and bold defender of the
rights and interests of the people, Captain
John Paul, of Rockingham. This signal
gun was fired iii response to some namby-
pamby milk-and-water resolutions offered
by Senator Brooke, of Fauquer, whose no.
tons OF reimbursement are not sufficiently
definite and defined and positive and fnrci-
bic for the true rel re sentatiycs of The peo-
Pile in this crisis in Virginia's depressed for
tunes. The following resolutions which have
the ring of the true metal, were offered as
substitute fer Senator Brooke's resolutions ::
The resolutions OF Mr.. Brooke looking to
the appointment OF q Joint committee TO con-
fer with the bondholders of the State with
!. view Of adjusting the State debt, came up
as the unfinished business of Saturday
Mr.. Paul moved an indefinite postpone
ment OF the matter. Hostages, none;
noes, 81.
Mr.. Paul offered the following lis a slbsti-
..ute for the proposition of Mr.. Brooke and
moved that both be laid on the, table until
tomorrow
lst That the present rate OF taxation on
real and personal property is as high us can
be borne by the people OF the State.
ID. That our system Of public education
must be fostered. developed, and protected,
and the fund dedicated by the Constitution
to this purpose must not be cncroachcd upon
for any other.
Sd. That the expenses Of the State govern
ment should be reduced to the lowest
amount consistent with an efficient admin
straten CT the affairs of the State aud of
the business OF the people,
4th. That the debt must be readjusted Oh
terms not dictated By the creditors of the
State, but in accordance with the sovereign
will of the people, and such q rate of inter-
est adopted rs will enable thu State, after
providing for all the expenses OF the State
government, public Institutions, and the
free schools, TO meet certainly us annual
requirements, without increasing the pres
ent rate of taxation, aud also sprovide
sinking fund for the eNtinguishment Of the
principal sum of the debt. ,,e.t
9Th. That the present unjust discrimina-
ton in favor of the holders Of the ear al bonds,
resulting from the operation Of the funding
act of March 3lst, 1871, must not be per-
petuated. but after providing for the sup
port of the State Government. and public
schools, the residue OF the revenue arising
from our present rate of taxation shall be
dedicated to the payment of interest alike
to all classes of the States creditors, and
such laws should be enacted as may be
necessary to enforce such distributions.
9th. That while we ale anxious and de-
termined to pay to the creditors OF the State
all that the diminished resources OF our peo-
pie will justify, and we repel and utterly
discard the idea OF reputation, yet we are
determined by all legal and constitutional
means to resist and defeat the operation of
the funding act. and TO reassert the sover-
eign right Of the State to control her own
revenues.
| These resolutions, in the main, emJody
the views of the people of tile State on the
subject OF the great issue now upon the
Legislature. The people will now begin to
arouse for the impending struggle They
ought to take action liz the matter and in
struct some of our weak knecd representa-
tiyes how to act. The wishes of ghe sover-
cigns will be respected and obcyed.
The election Of basement officers has been
postponed until an examination can be. had
into every office. The readjusters will do
nothing rash or imprudent, but the people
who sent them here may expect them to be
fearless and firm in the defence of the
right W.