The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-12-05


WORSE. 1T rs ETERNAL DAMSArIoN ~
INCREASE OF TAXATION NECESSARY TO
AVERT D.sHoSOR-spEcfALR ECosiMEN-
DhTIoNS- s.-.-.-- W
The following is the Message OF the Gov
ernor sent to the two houses OF the Gene
raj Assembly yesterday:
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA.,
GOVERNORS OFFICE,
RICHMOND. December 4, 1878.
Gentlemen Of the Senate and House Of Dele
gates:
Tn entering upon the duties aud RESPONSE
hih,ies OF legislation, the same great q'les-
lion rises that confronted you at the be.
ginning OF your last session, ana occupied
You in one form or another during its entire
term. 1t is the question OF questions Tor
Virginia, involving every other. There IS
not a department Of the Government 1t
does not reach. There is not an operation,
however apparently remote or small its de-
tail. that is not directly or indisectly affected
nv its existence or discussion. AS long as
the State debt continues unsettled there is
an incubus upon the spirit and clog upon
the movements OF Virginia. When it is
settled honorably and finally she will start
nnon career that will not be unworthy OF
Every day / feel the heavy pressure Of this
incubus and clog, and fully appreciate how
they impcdc the growth and prosperity OF
the state. Men coming from abroad, seek
ino homes and investments in our midst.
are pleased with our country, but are driven
AWAY by the constant clamor OF excessive
taxation en- the one hand. OF charges OF
threatened Reputation on the other. The
question OF the State debt has been taken,
in the excitement OF debate. from the field
Of business where it properly belongs, and
dragged into the arena OF pol;tics-as II
such al issue was to be decided by mutual
elimination and recrimination, and by the
discussion, it may be aspersion, OF private
character. t.t ...- '-.'
Whilst this is going on!in private life or
upon the hustings the State is suffering.
The ignorant or misinformed Of oar own
cifizeuS are forming their estimate OF the
real condition OF our affairs, not from facts,
but from preludices, and whilst they want
their State 10 do what is right, from the de-
c,ala,ions OF partisans they infer that she is
Doorcr or more careless than the truth
would Justify. 1t can readily be imagined
that The stranger, without the same means
of information, would form similar, ii not
more detrimental, conclusions.
VIRGINIA WANTS CAPITAL AND LABOR.
She invites it cordially from beyond her
lines. She offers climate and soil and re-
sources unsurpassed. She extends the
band OF hospitality and welcome. and shows
The stranger bow he can End home, with
whatever that word implies. within her
borders. This he admits. but Offsets it with
the statement OF the troubles and objections
TO which I have referred, resolved into the
single but puwerfu! argument OF the unset
tied condition OF our financial affairs. 'a
This is prevailing. Capital is timid, and
labor is anxious for the security OF It's re-
ward. Neither is going where either is
Observation-Disclosures by the heavy hand
OF taxation or by the stronger hand Of vio-
lence.
Our State might increase in wealth and
power by the normal growth OF rer popu-
lation and capital. But this would require
generations, when brought 10 competition
with her sister States, drawing from the
resources OF the world, and striding with
giant steps. Bu: lei us have equal chances.
Take away the impediments to the advent
OF capital and labor and they will soon flow
in upon US from abroad, and, restoring our
shattered fortunes, place Virginia where OF
right she ought to be, and where she has
influence and material power.
Thus recognizing the Importance OF the
settlement Of this veXed and veXing QueS-
ton Tor the present aud future Of the State,
/ feel equally sure that it Is not and cannot
he settled in the field OF angry political dis
cussion. Figures and facts arc in no way
illuminated by passion and prejudice; nor
are great moral and political problems solved
by pc, >onal abuse. Whilst the day Of set.
Element by such courses is postponed, ant
loss incalculable inflicted, in the end the
fumes pass away and the trouble is com
posed, just as it ought to have been in the
beginning, by calm and quiet and honest
Judgment.
SO let it be now with US in this day Of
great responsibility and OF Virginia's ira
vail. Forgetting personal considerations
and personal prejudiceS, let US, with sin
gle eye, determine that nothing shall stand
in the way Of every honorable effort to bar
monte views. thus securing conclusion
which will reestablish credit and prospect
~, and give ;.-.. ,..-.... Xix.
SOLID AND LASTING PEACE.
No future Legislature can reach this ent
better, if so well, as this. We will not
perhaps, have one shortly Of superior per
sonnet or Of greater devotion to the public
~ interests. st its last session, it is true
there was much angry discussion and per
sonai bitterness. This probably is uRayod
able in such bodies when engaged in TIT
consideration OF profound and heartfelt
questions OF public fame and public policy
however much we may disapprove OF like
courses in our more quiet moments. But
have no more reason to bring the charge O.
selishness and want, Of patriotism agans
those who differed with me than feel thai
they have to bring the same charge against
me. On the great and sometimes far-reach
ing questions that arose l doubt not they
formed their conclusions after deep study
conclusions free from the odor OF any mean
Oh unworthy motive. / have right to de-
mand the same charity and expect it.
But in addition 10 the character OF this
General Assembly, collective and indivi.
dual, no future one ought to be expected to
have larger or more accurate information
Not only were they elected with view to
its discussion, calculation, and settlement
but the whole of the last session. lasting for
over three mouths, was entirely consumed
in the consideration, directly or indirectly,
Of the State debt. Not single subject OF
any public importance engaged its attention
that did not tend towards, or centre upon,
that one vital issue. hence INFER, and
have right, that no body OF men that can
be convened in Virginia ought to secure
more, or be able to accomplish more, to.
wards the end in view.
infer this. not only from the facts elicit
ed, but from the questions OF constitutional
and legal principles that have been mooted,
argued, and decided, thus clearing the field
for the full view Of the central spirit and
final issue Of the controversy.
1t has appeared that
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY is NOT THE GOVERN