Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-10-01

l.
have been solicited by voters from various
portions of this district to announce myself as
Candidate for Congress, and have been in
duced to consent SO to do.
The gentlemen, who have for some time past
been canvassing the district as candidates for
your SURFACES, haveIintroducedlas the principal
issues in the canvass:
LIST. The question of the settlement Of the
State debt of Virginia, and
End. The financial policy of the Federal Gov
eminent,
announcing themselves, as to the first n
favor of FoRCIBLE READJUsTMENT Of the State
debt; and as to the second, GREENBAcKERs, or
advocates ofan excessive issue of irredeemable
paper currency by the General Government.
Whilst do not perceive how the State debt
question can be properly involved in congress
sional canvass, as Congress cannot by any pos
sibility be called to act upon the same, yet as
these gentlemen have made 1t prominent, and
demand the verdict of the people thereon,
claiming virtue to themselves on account OF
their views thereupon, join issue with them
upon the question, and appeal to the people OF
the district to decide between us.
do not believe that there can be what Is I'M
derstood as torcibte REIMBURSEMENT without dis
grace and ruin to the State. I believe that the
State debt can be compromised honorably by
friendly negotiations with the creditors of the
State, so that the payment can be brought
within the power of the State underthe present
rate of taxation, but failing in this, think that
1t will be our duty to meet the debt which am
satisfied can be done. SO as not to be as oppres-
sive upon us as the advocates of J0rcibIe read
justn,ent are in the habit of representing. II
for the last six years the public men OF Virginia
had devoted as much time and energy to devils
ing means for the payment Of the State debt as
have been expended in the endeavor to avaid
its payment, our condition would now have
been better than it is.
The question, however, which, in this can
| vass. most Immediately affects your interests,
as well AS the interests of the whole country
is. whether the country shall be flooded with
an irredeemable paper currency, or whether
we shall establish our National credit firmly
upon sound currency, which shall have the
basis of value-equality and convertibility into
coin. The latter, in my opinion, is the only
course consistent with our future safety and
prosperity. In this every citizen, from the
highest to the lowest is interested. 1t il of vi
tai Importance to all mon, whether capitalists
farmers, mechanics, or laborers, that they shall
have good money. of certain and fixed value
l
eracy, we, in this region Of the country, Leaf n
| ed, by sad experience. enough of an irredeema-
BILE paper currency. forever hereafter to fear
and avoid it. I am in favor, as far as possible
Of returning to the principles of finance which
were understood and practiced by the Fathers
Of the Republic.
I thus briefly give you an outline of my views
upon the two subjects mentioned, but shall,
between this time and the day Of election, en-
deavor to meet as many of you as possible. and
give you more fully my opinions ON these and
| kindred subjects.
am aware that labor under great disadvan-
tages from the latenesl of the time of my an
| nouncement, as the other candidates have, for
| so long a time, been actively engaged in the
canvass but appeal to those throughout the
District who agree with me upon the great H.
nancial questions under discussion. to see that
their convictions are registered at the polls.
| Very Respectfully.
| JOHN ECHOLS.
Sept o, 1878.