The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-02-28

Dany to tsave the use OF the econvicts after
! the canal repairs are completed, but the
character OF the message soon became noised
taround, and the proceedings were sus-.
pended for it be read. | !.
The veto was unexpected.
. There was scarcely Thought among
/ members generally TINT the bill would be
/ 3disapproyed. Governor Holiday Kept his
own counsel closely
When three or four pages OF it had been
read to the House, the resdi diusters-or some
LOT them--began to vince, and motion to
dispense with the further reading was made.
4 but several members insisted on hearing it!
Tread tIrough. The Speaker decided that
4 that was their right, and the reading was
proceeded with and concluded: after which
The message was passed by and ordered to
1 be printed. It is expected that it will be
taken up for consideration to-day or to-
morrow. It requires two thirds OF the
number OF members voting upon the ques-
4 tion in each house to pass the bill over the
/ Governors veto.
Reajusters' Conference.
A conference of readi iusters was called
| to be held in the Senate chamber at O'Clock
Yesterday evening. When, however, the
IConseryatiYe caucus adjourned, at 400, the
refG G;usters went over to the ball OF the
House, and Senator Fulkerson took the
! chair, and Mr.. j. a. Robinson, OF Ports
mouth, acted as secretary.
! Mr.. Fulkrrson stated that the conference
! had been called in consequence OF the mes
sage OF the Governor vetoing the Barbour
tax-bill. He called attention to the fact that
a number Of gentlemen not in sympathy
with the cause Of readiustment were pres
ent, and stated that as there was no rule on
the subject it would be for the conference
to decide whether or not they should be al
lowed to remain.
Speaker Allen moved that the gentlemen
alluded to be invited to retain their seats.
Before the motion was put, Messrs. Henry.
Bocock, and a number OF others OF their
way of thinking on the public-debt ques-
ton, left the room. The motion OF Speaker
Allen was carried.
Mr.. Fulkerson called Senator Wood to the
chair.
Mr.. LEWIS E. HARvIE
said that he had come here prepared to take
any action within constitutional limitations
to contrayene the Governors veto. In his
Judgment, the Governor had gone beyond
his proper province. He knew now OF but
one remedy-to endeavor to pass the bill
over the Governors veto; over what be
was compelled to regard as the unauthor-
! ized interference OF the Governor with the
popular will. If not able to do that, in Mr.
Harvie's opinion, the course to be pursued
would be perfectly plain-to appeal to the
people OF Virginia to stand by the General
Assembly in controlling the revenues OF the
State. That was what he proposed to do,
no matter what this or any other body de-
termined upon. II unable to oyerrule the
Governor, he thought it would be expedient
. | L % fha ~ 10
proposing to extend the session, and then
for the members to 90 back to their con-
stituents and convene the people for further
action.
MIR. Harve appealed to those who agreed
with him not to. fritter away their princi-
pies, but to stand firm and undismayed.
he didn't intend to modify his position.
He regretted now that he had made the con-
cessions that he had in the Barbour bill.
For one thing, he didn't believe that the
State was bound to pay the war interest.
But these points were given up without
surrendering any great principle.
SENATOR PAUL
/ said that he had no doubt the readiusters
would stand firm. He believed that they
knew their rights, and, knowing them,
dared maintain. He regarded the action OF
the Governor as exceedingly unfortunate.
The result would be seen in the popular
will asserting itself at length which
, the Legislature has not dared to go.
Indeed, he regarded this veto as great
calamity. The General Assembly had taken
the position that their first duty was to main
tain the government. Self-preseryation is
the first law Of nations as OF individuals.
, The next highest obligation OF the State
was to sustain the public free schools. The
bill provided for these two. Then they
, had said we will give to the creditors every
) other dollar we can raise at our present rate
OF taxation. Unfortunately, however, the
Executive undertakes to nullify and set at
naught the sovereign will of the people as ex-
pressed through their representatives here.
More especially have we cause to lament
this state OF affairs when we consider that
Colonel Holiday in his letter of the 21st Of
July said that this was question for the
J legislative and not for the executive depart
ment. To the same effect the Governor
spoke in his inaugural. This veto message
!; would, Mr.. Paul thought, convey to the
) people more Of sadness, sorrow, and disap-
pointment than anything that had happened
since their flag went down at AppomattoX
Courthouse.
Mr.. Paul stated that he had not yet had
the privilege OF reading the veto message.
SENATOR SINCLAIR:
II the gentleman has not read, as he
states, the message Of Governor Holiday,
what right has he to 60 and comment on
the general line Of that message? I under
take to say, as a political and personal
friend of the Governor that unless he has
read the reasons of the veto he should not
comment upon it as he is doing.
Mr.. Paul: have right to speak Of it
when II members in the House and % in
the Senate voted for the bill. am speaking
Of the bill as expressing the popular will.
/ am speaking Of the attempt to thWart that
popular will. | have the right to speak OF it.
Mr.. Paul said he had observed on the faces
of some OF his friends Of the opposition
smiles OF triumph, and one had said to him,
"Got you now; what are you going to do 20
replied: NV friend the battle is Just be.
gun. SO far from being defeated, / feel
nerved for fresh battle and bloodier con-
tests, if need be.
Mr.. Sinclair: Does the gentleman mean
to say
Mr.. Lady Iobject to these Interruptions.
The gentleman is here only by courtesy.
Mr.. Paul: am perfectly willing to an
swer any questions the gentleman may ask.
Mr.. Chiles: move that the gentleman
be heard.
Mr. Sinclair thanked the gentleman, but
declined, under the circumstances, to avail
himself Of the offer.
Mr.. Paul, resuming, declared that he re.
lied upon the people; that they would sus-
tain the Legislature, and send them forth
again with renewed strength. He moved
that a committee Of five be appointed to
prepare resolutions, to report at O meeting