Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-02-09

no express provision of the Virginia Constltu.
ton. When that is the case. and the law IS
assailed because it is supposed to be contrary to
the principles of good government,the injustice
and oppression ought to be clear and tagrant
to Justify the interpostion of the judiciary.
The opinion of the Court then proceeds to
show that there Is no such oppression and IN.
instice 10 the present law that would warrant
The Court in pronouncing it invalid. On the
contrary, it was but q just and reasonable exer
else of the power and discretion vested 10 the
Legislature 10 cases of taxation.-hach LIS.
The Alexandria Delegates ON the
State Debt.
During the debate 10 the Virginia House OF
Delegates last Thursday on the Barbour bill,
levyiug on property tax Of so cents on the
500, and requiring collecting officers to collect
and account for 25 cents of the same for gov
erumental expenses, 10 cents for the mainte
nance of public schools (both Of those only to
be paid 10 currency aud Is cents for paying TO-
terest on the public debt. paying arrearages to
school fund, &c., the Richmond Dispatch says:
MIR. Mushbach, of Alexandria. while stating
that be regarded the funding bill as very un.
fortunate legislation, declared bis belief that 1t
would stand, in defiance OF all the acts of As
sembIy and thunders OF denunciation that could
be hurled against it, He claimed that the State
had 10 sovereignty in the matter; that she re.
leased that when she entered into tho Federal
compact. She bad this sovereignty before
that time; but there she surrendered it. Then
she could have impaired the obligation OF con-
| tracts; now she cannot. ln his opinion, II the
question came between the sovereignty OF the
State on the one hand and the United States
on the other, the assumed sovereignty OF the
State would would have to 60 down. This po
sition be elaborated and fortified by authority.
Apy forcible readjustment be was opposed to.
MIR. Mushbach was Interrupted by questions
from Messrs. Fowler and Spessard intended to
show that be (Mr. Mushbaoh) was inconsistent,
10 that be had recently bad passed billallowine
the city of Alexandria to compromise her debta
fifty cents on the dollar and giving very great ad
yantages to those who had funded. MIR. Mash
bach responded to all their interrogatorief
promptly and 10 good humor, and oonclusively
showed that there was no foroble readjustmen
10 the measure, as the creditors we're first con.
suited and accepted the terms proposed.
MIR. Mushbaoh declared in favor OF the
Brooke bill, and with abundant facts and figures
argued that we could pay per cent, and ex
pressed his opinion that the creditors would
take that cheerfully.
Than MIR. Mushbsch's no better speech ha:
been made in the House on the debt question
1t was up to the level Of any one. he kept
close to the subject all the time, and made BIZ
points clearly aud distinctly.
MIR. Hunter, Of Alexandra, made 40 inter
esting argument 10 favor of the bill, which die
not 20 quite as far as he wished, but was ths
best proposition made as far as he could see
The alternatives were three Increased taxa
ton, the present measure, and to let things II
on as they are now. So be favored the bill.
He would gladly vote for four per cent i
possible.
MIR. Hunter declined to 90 into discussion
of the legal points. for be knew less about Law
than the gentleman from Buckingham even
] Laughter. That gentleman had said be knew
enough to keep out of the hands Of the law
Mr. Hunter didn't.
During the debate on the same question yes
}terday Dir. Farr. of Fairfax, said he believed
that the bill was constitutional and proper. auc
supported it because be thought the inability o
people to pay the whole debt made it necessary
| 1t was useless. be thought, for gentlemen to at
tempt longer to force their logic against tht
stern decree of facts. The financial exhibit Of
Mr.. Henry he called guess work. He said tba
part OF the debt MIR. Henry sinks 10 the bot
tom Of old ocean, o part he coD6scates, and {
part be repudiates. Who couldn't pay the deb
that way? MIR. Far admitted that Is cent
out of SO on the $500 of property was Yer!
small amount to set apart for the payment o
interest, but We have other income licenses,
all of which is 10 90 to maintain the honor anc
credit Of the State. He insisted that lie would
be for the interest of the bondholder, as we'll a
for the interest of The State, 10 have this bill
passed.