Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-03-12

higher power IOf the simple SegLlemenC
of the debt than the Legislature has
It would sit under the shadow of the
of the United States, and
must csnfine its ordinances within the
provisions of that instrument. Other.
wise those ordinances, like the acts of
the Legislature, would be utterly void.
Such being the case, would 1t not be
better to give to the creditors the hun,
dreds of thousands of dollars q cenven-
ton would cost, to be credited upon
their dues?
We are shut up then to the conclusion
to pay this debt. 1t is hardly necessary
fer us to spend our time in framing
bills to vindicate State sovereignty, or
to establish some legal technicality. The
debt is on us. 1t is plain, practical
affair. 1t is our duty to pay or adjust it
like plain, practical men in business
way. 1t seems 10 me, with the utmost
Difference to others, it is the only course
we can pursue, to discharge our duty,
and preserve the credit Of the Common
wealth. We certainly cannot Go either
by trying to adopt measures which,
while they profess to take care of the
life of the State, have the appearance Of
throwing impediments in the way of
the creditors. OF course do not say
there is single member of the General
Assembly who is wilfully guilty Of any
such desire I have no reason for say
ing such thing of body for whom
have 50 much respect.
What, then, is the conclusion How
do we stand? Though the State has
been shorn of so much Of its strength;
though it has passed through SO many
crises; though her people are SO much
Impoverished there is the obligation of
this debt; an obligation not to be weak
ed by such pleas, whether urged by act
of the Legislature, or by ordinances of
an organic convention.
IF Virginia was rich az in the olden
time, would there be a true man found
within her borders. who would even
hint at getting rid of the whole or any
part of the debt? Poverty cannot affect
| the obligation of the contract, however
| much it may affect its performance.
If, then, the obligation is upon us, of
which we cannot free ourselves, and
ought not to try, if we wish to hold our
| do? The answer is very simple-make
no futile effort to avoid it-but in an
honest, straightforward, and manly
way, acknowledge it. and proceed to
meet its demands.
| Recognize the claims of the creditors
without distinction of class, putting
them upon the same footing, as they
were contracted for consideration
which belongs equally to all, and the
benefits of which the Commonwealth is
now enjoying, and without which 1t
would be little better than a wilderness.
Then find the means to pay the inter-
est, and in due time the principal. in
the only way 1t can be done-by the inn
position and collection of taxes.
Here comes in the trouble We all
know that taxes are hard 10 pay there
never was time when they were easy.
And If, high, the burdens may be very
grievous. [ do by no means wish high
taxes for in addition to their burden,
as have said in another paper. they
tend to hold back the prosperity OF q
State, and prevent the advent Of capt.
tai and labor" But there are things
that are far worse for a nation than high
taxes. I trust that those who hold the
destinies Of Virginia, in their eb dice
may save US.
To avoid high taxes as much as pos
sible let there be. in the administration
ofthe Government, ECONOMY, retrench-
ment, and self-sacrifice." Reduce its
expenses to the lowest possible stan
dard, keeping in view. however, such
rates as will secure able, efficient and
honest men 10 discharge its functions.
The whole session has been spent most
diligently in this work, and doubt not
your committees have gathered for you
data that will enable you to carry on the
Government at the lowest rates consis-
tent with its efficiency and vigor.
When this is done, and there is still q
/ deficiency to meet the obligation, the
i question will arise with regard to an In
crease of taxation. either upon the sub
jects taxed or by finding new ones. As
far as my individual opinion goes, see
no magic in the words fifty cents on
the one hundred dollarsn and I think
the people would not feel it, were it d
little more or little less. A few cents
more would meet the demand, and Rot
be felt by the individual. whilst the
credit Of the Common wealth would be
preserved. Who will hesitate in his
choice
i But, if the rate Of taxation cannot be
raised, are there not new subjects on
which taxes may he imposed? Why
cannot there be q stamp tax? Why
cannot church property be taxed? No
one valves religion and its ordinances
more than myself I believe there can
be no solid virtue aud morality without
them. There must be q sense of respon-
sibiIity to make either good citizens or
good men. The noblest lessons of this
are taught by religion; seated at the
heart of society, it perneates it with its
gentle, but powerful influences. Lam,
Consequently, in favor of churches, and
IN favor of throwing arennd their pro
I perty the stongest muniments of de-
fence And therefore, would have
them ''render unto Caesar the things
that are Csesar'sn-and to come to the
rescue in the time of the States extre-
Glity-and vindicate, by practice, their
noble teachings Of justice, honesty and
fair dealing. The tax on each individual
interested WOULD be but few cents. and
yet would speak loudly in behalf of reli-
gioa as a power for good.
i These are few new subjects that oc-
eur to me, many others | doubt not will
be suggested by your wider knoledge.
Let every source and subject of taxation
be reached to accomplish the object that
rises in importance above every other
matter of legislation I know the pro-
perty holders who have at last to pay
the taxes inasmuch as tbs capitation tax
remains coustitutionauy the same,
would, upon moments reflection,
most cheerfully respond. For if the
debt is not settled what becomes Of til cir
property? It's agitation has deprecated
its value beyond calculation. And if
Virginia does not faltil her obligations,
farewell not only to her greatness hnt
farewell 10 that confidence out OF WHICH
her prosperity must grow, and on which
the value OF the property of her citizens
rests.
But should the General Assembly, af-
ter having exhausted these means and
after having reached every subject of
| taxation, conclude that taxes can not be
raised by reason of the impoverished
| condition Of the country resulting
frofsi the public enemy and the act OF
God-fron war and drouth and flood,
with all Of which we have been visited
it will then have reached the only ex-
cuse ior the uon-payment of an honest
debt-ihabiiity. This is an excuse that
does not affect the obligation of the con-
tract it affects only its performance.
1t is not settled by assuming a defiant