The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1878-03-13

THE GOVERNORS MEssAGE.-The Senate
of the Virginia Legislature having requested
the Governor 70 communicate his views con-
corning the affairs of the State, ne sent in a
message to that body Last week which is oc-
cuped in dealing with the great question of
the State debt. 1t is a document Of much
ability, and in which be uses greet plainness
of speech. He insists in the most energetic
terms upon the duty of Virginia to acknowl-
edge and not repudiae the obligation to pay
her debt, and that nothing can ever be ad-
mitted as valid plea except sheer inability.
This he does not believe to exist.
The following judicious analysis is taken
from the LynchJurg News:
RICHMOND, VA, March 7-GOvernor Holiday
TO-DAY sent Communication to the General AS
semby in response to the Senate resolution, asking
him to communicate the condition OF the Common
wealth. and recommend such measures as he may
deem expedent. Governor Holiday says be can
only infer that the object Of the resolution has
special reference to the settlement of the public
debt About this subject he says he has never had
ton, and in his inaugural, he spoke in language
not to be misunderstood to moral obligations to
preserve untaruished Virginis's integrity and
plighted faith, and he has since seen no occasion
20 change his mind. He finds no excuse for denial
of the debt.
The obligation of the contract for this debt is
assaied and unassailable. The war and Its fruits
have nothing to do with and cannot effect that OBJ
| legation.
The Governor opposes the idea of Constitu-
tional Convention, as in no way tending to set
clement of the vexed question, aud suggests that
it would be best to give the creditors the hundreds
of thousands Of dollars that Convention would
cost He says we are shut up, then, to the con-
oluson that we are bound morally and legally, to
pay this debt. 1t is hardly necessary to spend
time in framing bills to vindcate State sovereignty
or to establish some legal technicslity. The debt
is on u.s. it is plain, practical affair. 1t IS our
duty to pay or adjust it like plain, practical men,
in business way 1t seems to me, with utmost
Difference to Others it is the only course we can
pursue to discharge our duty, and preserve the
credit Of the Commonwealth. We certainly cannot
do either by trying to adopt measures which, while
they profess to take care of the life OF the State,
have the appearance Of throwing impedlments In
the way of the creditors Recognize the claims OF
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 it would be little bet
ter than wilderness. Then find means to pay in
terest, and in due time the principal, in the only
way it can be done, by the imposition and collect
ing of taxes.
The Governor advises economy, retrenchment,
self sacrifice and when this is done to the utmost,
if there is still deficiency to meet the obligation,
then he favors increased taxation, special stamp
tax for many subjects, and the taxing even OF
church property. Inability, he says, is an excuse
that does not affect the obligation OF contract, it
affects only its performance. 1t is not settled by
defiant air, because that is entitled to no standing
in court, either of morals or law but by fair hon.
est and amicable adjustment.
He does not think it beneath the dignity OF the
State to pursue this course. He does not think 1t
necessary to abolish free schools he has not found
it necessary, nor does he now assail them. Ii peo-
pie want them they must pay tor them out OF their
own means. After all measures have been ex'
hausted, and still there is deficiency, then come
terms of settlement with the creditors make a
fair exhibit OF all assets and liabilities to those who
have a right to know them aid terms will soon be
reached.