Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1878-01-08
TUESDAY, JANUARY 8, 1878.
Our Richmond Letter.
RICHMOND, January 2, 1873.

RICHMOND, January 2, 1873.
After tedious delays, some Of us ar
rived here just in time to hear the
midnight cannon boom the New Year
in, and we registered at the st. Claire
among the first moments Of 1878.
The only event thus far has been
THE INAUGURATION,
which has been a splendid aping Of
the national manners and customs,
which quadrennially pay tribute to
the incoming President. There was a
large display of brass aud blue and red
and gray, OF plumes and epauletts, Of
cleavers and coaI-scuttles, Of bayonets
and artillery. The two Houses met
at noon, and at once took recess for
the event which was TO tickle and cal &"
ture the new administration" The
setting and rising luminaries were
marched to. the sound of huge guns
and the waving OF banners and the
beating of drums through the CepitoI
to the south portico, where judges and
Legislators and ladies and, of course,
boys did crowd and congregate. Rev.
Mr, Jackson, of the Episcopal Church,
offered a prayer that was not and could
not be heard by men. Then Governor
Kemper, with his resonant and ro-
tund rhetoric, blew out the light of
his administration, and handed the
sceptre to GovernOr-elect, Holiday,
who was sworn In by Judge Christian
OF the Supreme Court of Appeals
Then, to some 5000 people, the new
Governor delivered himself Of, that
new thing to VirgiDian's, a guberna-
torial inaugural. Around him and
before him and on all sides was the
clAnk and the glitter Of military dis
play. 1t bore the lock of force, but
there was nothing to resist, save the
voice Of the people as expressed in the
recent election. The Governor spoke
with marked emphasis and great COM
posure for 40 minutes, and it took him
two-thirdE Of it to reach the only point
in bis speech-the State debt. His
views thereon were Touadiy applaud |
ed by the Funders. Though not very |
clearly spoken on the subject it SEEM
ed, neither by its matter nor by its |
delivery, in harmony with the popu-
lar feeling. DO not desire to criticioe
the document, but there were many
men in the audience who declared that
q man who had been as timid as
its author during the canvass should
have been less bold at the moment be
put the much coveted collar Of State !
upon bis shoulders. Vet the Funders
srstemPerate in their endorsement of
the address. The almost official com
lnaDd to the General Assembly TO ad-
t9Ht the debt, and the almost threat
in cass OF its failure TO adjust it
smacks a little Of much advice and no |
veto.
In the Senate, Lieutenant Governor
Walker was installed as President OF |
that body, and he and the retiring !
LieuteNant-GovernOr, Judge Thomas, |
made very neat addresses, and the two !
Houses quickly adjourned, for the:e
was scarce a quorum of either one.
At night Gov. Holiday gave a
splendid reception at the Executive |
Vast numbers of ladies and |
gentlemen attended, and the occasion |
was gay and very splendid. or music |
and flowers and toilette there was
much, and it all lasted until IL O'Clock.
Gov. Holiday has the gifts of cul-
ture, ease and dignity, and he passed |
the fearful ordeal of shaking hands
with wonderful multitude, which |
he stood with imperceptible diminu-
tion OF physical power, though be has
no right arm. Like Gov. Kemper. he |
Is a widower, and the hunors of the |
Brown House will be left to his sister. !
THE LEGISLATURE
is hardly at earnest work yet. A good |
many members have arrived only to-
day, and some are yet away.
Tax-receivable coupons are down to
IL. Heretofore they have rated at 81
90 "a. At their present rate they only |
pay the consol lbondholders At per cent
interest on his debt, and this less the
costs OF collection. This will allow
them to net less than per cent. per-
hAps 81 to 81. II this should last long
1T must surely bring a reasonable re-
Of the debt, so that all
this injustice to peeler bondholders
and all this agitation to State and peo-
pie can cease. l think this legislature
will yet lay the ground work for that
result. III it should fail anywhere, !
1t will fail with the Senate or Gov.
Holiday. But 1 think it will not
fail. 1 SEE.
NEW BOOKS.