The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-04-18
Public Meeting in Rockingham.


John Paul, State Senator, and DR.. S. II.
Moffett, one of the members of the House of
| Delegates, giving an account OF their ''stew-
ardship' in the Legislature. The day was
| damp and inclement, and 1t was with some
difficulty that access could be had to the
Courthouse, in consequence OF the progress
Of an important criminal trial. The Court
took recess at noon, and sooa thereafter
considerable number OF citizens assem-
bled in the courtroom, and organized by
calling Colonel George E. Deneale to the
chair. and appointing Captain N. NJ. Sibert
Secretary. The chairman briefly explained
the object of the meeting in some stirring
remarks, and upon motion committee OF
five was appointed to prepare resolutions
expressive of the sense of the meeting, and
also to wait upon Judge O'Ferrall and re-
quest him to delay the session of his Court
until the meeting had completed its
work. The following gentlemen constituted
the committee G. 7. Barbee, John F.
Lewis, John E. Dovell, VIM. r. Gaines, and
| G. L. Hopkins. After the committee had re-
tired, Captain Paul was called to the front,
and proceeded to review the action OF the
Legislature at its recent session. He an
nounced that he recognized the doctrine
that the representative was but the servant
of the people, delegated to reflect the senti-
ments of those who clothed him with power,
and violation of this duty, either by commits
sion or omission, was to that extent betrayal
of trust reposed in him. He rapidly scanned
the various measures adopted by the Legis-
lature having direct bearing upon the in
| terests of the people-first the retrenchment
law, which reduced salaries and adjusted
Offices so as to save about 1000 annually,
the revision of the criminal law, which eff
fected a saving of about $4,000, and the
bill for the re-assessmens Of the lands
damaged by the flood. He then ap-
preached the State debt question, the
paramount issue that engaged the atten-
| ton Of the Legislature, referring to the va
rous bills in the order of their introduction
into the two houses. First, the Brooke bill,
which was passed by the Senate and killed
| in the House; the Koiner bill; and the bill
| by the Speaker, which embraced the princi-
Pile of the Barbour bill, and the School bill
OF Senator Massey. He discussed the pro-
visions of the Barbour bill, explained its OBJ
ject, and then reviewed with some sharp
ness the veto message of the Governor, and
especially that portion of it which an
nounced the singular and rather eXtraord-
nary idea that education was ''luxury.''
Captain Paul took very high ground in re-
lation to popular education, claiming that it
not only was not a ''luXury," but was ne
cessity, enforced by law, morality and pub
lie policy. He discussed with much ability
the whole question of the public debt. in all
its bearings; the action OF the Legislature,
the Governor and the Courts in relation to
it; contending for the RICH. Of the people,
through the Legislature, to control the reve-
nues and appropriate them how, when, and
in what manner they pleased; and that the
discussion and agitation of the question
would never cease until the People had re-
sumed this sovereign right. He argued with
much force the question Of taxation, assert
ing that the people could not bear a higher
rate, and that no class Of persons claimed
that they could, except those in the profess
sons and speculative pursuits, who could
regulate their charges by their expenses,
and all to come off the farmer and laboring
man. 1t was these classes who could not
bear more taxes and did not intend to sub
nit to more.
| At this point in his speech, the Committee
returned and reported the following resolll.
tions which were adopted by unanimous
vote:
| WHEREAS, it is right and expedient that
the people should from time to time take
cogniz ance of the actions of their represen-
tatives in the Legislative branch of the gov
eminent, to the end that their conduct may
be approved, when they have faithfully rep
resented the views, wishes and interest OF
their constituents, and condemned when
they have neglected or betrayed the high
trust reposed in them therefore, be it
Resolued, l. That we, the people Of Rock
ingham county, in mass meeting assembled.
do most heartily endorse and approve the
legislative action of our representative in the
State Senate, John Paul, and of Our repre-
sentatlves in the House of Delegates, DR.. S.
II. Moffett, and Col. Reuben N. Harrison,
during the session of the Legislature just
passed and we especially commend them
in voting for and actively sustaining the bill
known as the Barbour bill, 1.-THE Free School
bill, the Compromise bill and all kindred
measures, having for their objects the pres
ervation of the State Government, the main
tenance Of the public school system, and a
Reimbursement of the State debt on fair and
equitable basis.
| ResozUed, End. That in the General AS
sembly, we also endorse and approve the
policy, the efforts and the objects of the re.
adjusters of that body land emphaticaly COM
mend the purposes embodied in their lead
ing measures, which are briefly as follows
| l. To provide for the existence of the State
Government and its institutions.
2. Maintain, develop, and protect the pub
lie free school system. and to provide that
the funds dedicated by the constitution to
its support be applied to this purpose and
| to no other. i
8. The appropriation of the balance of the
revenue, after providing for the existence of |
| the Government and the support of the free
| schools. to the payment of interest on the
public debt, alike to all classes of the states
| creditors, and REIMBURSEMENT of the debt. and |
the adoption Of such a rate OF interest as will
enable the State to meet its annual require
ments from the revenue derived from the
present rate of taxation.
4. An unqualified opposition to any in
crease in either the rate or aggre gate of tax
alton, the present being as high as the
people can stand.
Resolved, 3rd. That we deeply regret
the action OF the Governor of this Common
wealth in defeating, by the exercise of the
veto power, the wise, inst and patriotic
measures passed by the General assembly at
its late session, embracing, as they did, in
their provisions, the welfare and best inter-
ests of the people OF the State, and of the
public creditors /; and we the more earnestly
regret the action of the Governor in thus de-
feating the expressed will of the people. be-
cause he had previous to his election, de-
clared that the question of the State Debt
was one belonging to the Legislature and
not to the Executive
Resolred, 18th. That we invite the CO.
operation of the people of the different sec
tions of the State who favor the cause of re-
adjustment, on the basis declared in the fore
going resolutions, and we earnestly call their
attention to the necessity of holding meet
ings in their respective counties, and organ
izing their strength in such manner as shall
make their power most effective in the con-
fest now helm o Wauel nv the few ranresent.