The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-03-14
Tie Governors Message.


TEs Governors Message.
We publish on Our fourth page to-day
extracts from Governor Holidays last mes
sage, which was read before the Senate
Thursday. 1t is cit follower OF his veto,
and stamps his betrayal of the confidence
reposed in him with deeper dye, and an
emphasis which no subsequent action. will
be able to efface. If there was one thing
the platform upon which Governor Holiday
was nominated clearly SET forth, it was that
there should be no increase in the rate OF
taxation. II it were possible that in accept
ing the nomination he could have contorted
that sentence into any other meaning, the
action Of the Legislature after his election
tore from it every vestige OF obscufity and
disclosed its true and only intent That
body, to which, and to which alone, ''be-
longs the settlement of the debt question:"
by an almost unanimous voice, declared that
a greater rate than fifty cents could not be
imposed without oppression. The members
of that body, fresh from their constituents,
before whom the matter had been exhaus-
lively discussed, knew the condition and
wants of the people and reflected them in
their votes. Upon no other question had
there been such approach to unanimity, and
vet in the face of this the Governor can see
s'no magic in the words, fifty cents on
the hundred dollars,' sufficient to break the
links which bind him to his beloved bond
holder. Would he have dared give utter
ance to that sentence before the election !?
In accepting the office which generous
people extended him, on the faith of bis en-
dorsation of their views as expressed in the
platform, did he not assume with it the obli-
CATION to reflect their wishes, to guard Their
interests and protect their rights? And yet
he prates of honor! He who has betrayed
the most sacred trust that man could place
in man! Who, in the direst hour Of need
turned a deaf ear to the appeal that went
up from every portion of the Common
wealth, and hesitates not TO douby rlvet the
chains of our oppressed and impoverished
people! In the security of his high place,
he spurns with contempt the power that ele-
waited him.
We have neither the space nor patience to
notice the catchpenny expelients of stamp
and church tax which he proposes. The
effect Of such laws would be to place new
burdens where the weight is already almost
too great to be borne.
| 1,o
s'Appoint commission who shall, after con-
ference as far as practicable with the credi-
tors, report at the next session. Have we
not tried that, and what was the result !?
year, and then poorer and more sorely
pressed take up the new and heavier cross
Let those who would assume the responsi-
bilty OF such action, beware lest they pre-
cipitate that which they profess to shun.
They may avoid Scylla to be swallowed up
in Charybdis. An empty treasury and an
incensed people are not the surest founda-
ton upon which they can build.
Virginia has received terrible blow at
the time of all others she least expected it.
High hopes OF brighter and better day, OF
light after the long winter OF discomfort
were just beginning to animate the breasts
of the people and infuse into them a. new
life and renewed spirit. The passage of the
Silver bill must OF necessity cause capital to
seek investment in industrial enterprises,
and what fields are so inviting as those OF
Virginia? With the debt question at rest, a
prosperity unknown for years would have
gladdcned the land, and drawn from its
hidden Golfers the buried wealth of the
State. In the condition into which the
Governors recent actions have plunged us,
capital will pass by for less inviting
fields, and the only source to which we can
look for relief will! lie buried in our noun
tains. God help the State il to such as he
her destinies are committed