The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-03-07
sTAUNToN, VIRGINIA. MARCH 7. 1878.
The Governors Message.

The Governors Message. Aaa
On the 9th inst. Governor Holiday sem
the following message to the Legislature
The message was passed by and ordered *
| be printed:
| To the Honorable the House of Delegates.
return the bill 'simposing taxes on req
and personal property to meet the necessary
expenses Of the Government, for public fret
school purposes, and to pay the interest OF
the public debit" without my approval.
| 1 do this most reluctantly, not only be
cause do not like to disagree with the Leg
stature, having a high estimate Of its ability
and patriotism, but because I wish thisq ues
ton Of the State debt to be finally settled
Having this wish, | cannot see any set
Element in this bill. It's only renting ltht
vexed and vexing matter from the Legisls
ture to the Courts. Instead of bringing
peace, 1t is challenging war between thu
State ane the creditors, and keeping alive
in bitterness thing which has already, BY
its agitation, cost more than its whole sum
to the material interest and welfare Of ths
Commonwealth. 1t may be said, that by
this very act am aiding what lido SO much
dread. Even in the narrow light Of conse-
quences to one filling my place, Icannotses
| that would be stunning trouble by sign
ing the bill. On the contrary, would be
Sinking responsibility, and passing to Others
a question which duty tells me am bound
to decide for myself. alaH9a leiif 1a3jsiu 20 i
| Besides, believe it is safer and better.
when a question has grown into such size
and bitterness as this, that if possible il
should be settled in that arena where il
properly belongs. 1t is very unhappy that
it should ever have got into the field ofpol-
itics and severed the people OF the State in
to parties. 1t is really a business matter,
not likely to be closed by the wrangle ofthe
hastings. nsg ti Hoqn szsb7als s's0'2 ]
| Such, certainly, would be the result should
| this bill become law. I do not think its
| friends look for, some do not wish any
other results, believing that it is injected
with grave principles that ought to be tested
by judicial enquiry. But I cannot think
| that this will avail for good, or hasten a set
| Element after it has been made a subject 81
wien questions arc taken from that arena
and sent to the courts, with all the acrinio
ny begotten by fierce discussion. The ques,
tons are not put at rest, but the courts and
their DEGREES are dragged together. down, and
their high authority beIittled. 1 do not for
moment say that judges are infallible
They aee men; and liable to err. But do
mean to say, that their strength and purity
are the firmest bulwarks of freedom and
peace in Republic like ours ~ A5iiHl4
| Whilst these are my views with regard to
the tribunal in which this matter ought to
be concluded, springlng solely from the
evils of its discussion elsewhere, there are
other reasons for my action, based upon
higher ground. lA''iEsai s'si % ~
| have no doubt that every member Of your
honorable body who voted for this bill was
fully satisfied, both of its policy and eonsti1
tutionalty. Otherwise, am sure 1t would
not have passed. You had studied the sub
iect in all its bearings, and believed that the
condition of our State and OF the debt, JUS
| titled the law. You did this under the oath
you had taken to uphold the Constitution,
which bound your acts. Having done so,
your duty is fulfilled, aud your consciences
clear. 'ii' '5' i+'sl'''' 'H'''''
| 1t must have the approval Of the Cover
nor before it becomes law. 1 am equally
sure you will accord to him the same sense
OF duty and responsibility, jnasmuch as he
has taken the same oath, and has the same
right of decision as yourselves. Al 7'4
do not mean to enter into any lengthy
argument with regard to the credit of the
State, and the binding obligation upon it's
people to pay its just debts. wonld in
suit the gentlemen of the Assembly by even
limiting that there is one among them, who
by denying this, is so unworthy DRILLING SO
high place. have never heard any of
them say, in public or private, that such
was his opinion, and who would not regard
blow at the honor of the Commonwealth
as worse than private injury. feel quite
certain that such man could have no staud-
ing in your midst, but would be spurned, as
he would, if having means, he refused to
pay his honest dues. With this statement,
and with it, knowing that cannot be mis-
understood, / feel the freer to discuss the
bill. ~ et1ghaqls513o9 sis 10
When read its clauses by themselves, I
can come to but one conclusion that they
are both unjust and unconstitutional, apart
from anything beyond their simple terms
no question presented but the Constitution
and the laws no one will deny that they
are a violation of both, as Interpreted by
our highest courts. I will not take up your
time in going over arguments now so trite
that, not only yourselves, but almost every
man in the State, though unlettered, knows
them by rote. The effort is here made to
deny the tax-paying power Of the coupons.
This has been pronounced unconstitutional
and void. Why then keep it in the field Of
controversy? Why tempt again the inevi-
table? l can see no use in thus arrayIng
one department Of the Government against
another; arousing controversy and keeping
alive feelings that can end only in bad blood
| and trouble; even the warmest friends of
the bill will not deny that this issue will
arise upon the clauses, and that such is
most likely to be the result. Some may say,
however, they believe these decisions wrong,
and liable to reversal. What of that? Has
the Legislature met to spend its precious
time and money to make up points to be
mooted by the courts, whilst Virginia and
all her dearest interests are in the throes OF
deepest agony? Why not regard the opin-
ions Of the highest courts. composed Of pure
and able men as entitled to at least equal
consideration with their own, acting within
the bounds ofas strong and sacred obliga.
tions? These opinions have been rendered
several times by courts Of competent ,au-
thority. Can we afford to wait till they are
tried again? Why should the l. legislature
wish to have its power tested i'll any case
which it can settle for itself? ~ on
+ But am glad to say tina. few, ANY, de-
Giro euc1l della mr. V,hov