The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-07-31
lFrom the Norfolk Firginlan.l
General TaIinferr0.

HIS OPINION on THE STATE DEBT-HE Is OP
POSED TO REPUDIATION-0PPOSED TO AN IN.
CREASE OF TAXES AND IN FAVOR OF Al
HONORABLE ADJUSTMENT WITH THE CREDIT;
ORS-vIRGlNIA's HONOR MUST BE MAIN.
TANNED. .-:' @"..' T. Sd.
Below will be found the letter Of General
William B. Taliaferro expressing his views
on the school question and the public debt
1t is straightforward expression, and ono
that does credit to Gloucester's gallant and
chivalrous son. 1t is a document that will
be read with interest by our people, being
one that upholds the honor Of the State and
that indicates confidence in Virginia char.
acter for honesty in the fuliment OF all
obligations. public or private:
GLOUCESTER COURTHOUSE, July %, 1877.
NJ. Glennan, Esq, Proprietor Of the Gir-
ginidn:
My Dear Sir,-Your letter, asking my
views on the public-school system and on
the question Of the State debt, was received
some days ago. / would have answ cred
sooner but illness in my household has pre-
vented.
First. Public Schools-I am and always
have been in.favor Of public free schools. ]
believe / was the first public man in Virginia,
except Governor Wise, who advocated
them. I did so in the Legislature twenty
five years ago. The system should be much
improved, and the standard OF education in
graded schools greatly elevated, so as with
out cost to enable the larger taxpayers to
receive fuller consideration for their cOntri-
button to the school fund. lid. .....
Second. The State Debt The financial
condition Of the Commonwealth presents a
subject not only of anxiety but Of great
difficulty to every rejecting citizen, and it
is difficult to say what is best to be done to
relieve the State from her embarrassments.
Tt isa question:, however, which is purely
legislative, to be dealt with by the LcgiSla-
ture, and not by the Executive Department
of the Government, and to be submitted by
the people to the wisdom of the General
Assembly, whose province it is to devise
means Of relief, and not to the Executive,
which is powerless to do more than to re-
commend or advise such action as may or
may not be adopted. =.
I have frequently in the Last few years
taken occasion to express my views on.this
subject in the Legislature; and my votes are
matters OF record: 49,. 80 - -. ...
/ To do justice to the subject or to myself
would require much more elaborate dis
cussion than you contemplate, and answer
YOUR inquiries as an act of personal cour-
tesy to yourself without attempting to srls-
tain my conclusions by any extended argu-
ment: ....,
I. I am opposed to the reputation of the
State debt. .-.., .,.,.s...
9. am opposed to an increase OF taxes.
3. am in favor Of an adjustment OF the
debt with the creditors. ~ ......,.....cf
These are not incompatible or inconsiS-
tent propositions. although they, may APP
Nothing would be, more deplorablc or
exert more unfortunate influence on the
character OF a people, than an education into
the belief that obligations or pub
lic-are to be lightly considered and repu-
dated. - ~ 49, 49, 80; : e.
Self-respect and State pride have made
the Virginia character what it is, and we
must maintain it. 1885,. -. ..r.r....... ,..t.,
The Suprerr6 Court OF Virginia has de-
cided that the obligations assumed by the
State under the act Of the 30th March, 1871,
known us the ,"funding act" are binding,
and we, are obliged to meet them. An
effort to remove from Office the judges OF
that court, composed Of men eminent for
an integrity and purity Of character which
would do honor to any people, because OF
their opinions, would shock the moral
sense OF oil true men. should resolutely
oppose it. -. -
presume no one who has the good Of the
State ut heart would oppose an adjustment
OF the debt. The question is how 1t is to be
accomplished q 9 .-...g.,,..
think it would be the part OF wisdom in
the bondholders to confer with the authori-
ties of the State; and by,a generous com
promise quiet the unhappy state Of feeling
which. now. exists, and place their securi-
ties on foundation OF general ponular ap-
prevail which will prevent their fluctuation
and give them strength; and have some
reason oVbelieve, from, information re-
ceived last winter, that a full and truthful
exposition OF the condition and RESOURCES
Of the COMMONWEALTH would result In an