The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-03-08

1es5s sEAlltk1I IT, 4EllkSJIOl<11NST.
I to pay or adjust it like plain, practical men,
| In q, business way. It seems to me, with
the utmost Difference to others, it Is the
only course we can pursue to discharge
our duty and preserve the credit OF the
Commonwealth. We certainly cannot
do either by trying to adopt meas
ures which, while they profess to take
care OF the life OF the. State, have the appear
ance OF throwing impediments in the way
Of the creditors. .Of course do not say
there is single member Of the General Az
sembly who is wilfully guilty OF any such
desire. ] have no reason for saying such a
thing Of a body for whom have so much
respect. -. sf ~,
What, then, Is the conclusion? How do
we stand? Though the State has been
sborn Of so much OF its strength, though
1t has passed through so many crises, though
her people areso much impoverished, there
is the obligation OF this debt-an obligation
not to be weakened By such pleas, whether
urged by act OF the Legislature or by ordi-
nances Of an organic convention.
II Virginia was rich, as in the olden time,
would there be true man found within
her borders who would even hint at getting
rid of the whole or any part OF the debt? !?
Poverty cannot affect Il ,
THE OBLIGATION OF THE CONTRACT,
however much it may affect Its. perform
GHCe. a-+-.-.tss ."s.fsr,s- t,s-.s.
II, then, the obligation is upon Hs--of
which we cannot free ourselves, and ought
not to try il We wish to hold our place
among nations-what ought we to do The
answer is very simple: make no futile effort
to avoid it, but in an honest, straightfor-
ward, and manly way acknowledge it, and
proceed to meet its demands.
Recognize the claims OF the creditors
without distinction OF class, putting them
upon the same footing, as they were con-
tracted for consideration which belongs
equally to all, and the benefits Of which the
Commonwealth is now enjoying, and with
out which it would be little better than a
wilderness. Then find the means to pay
the interest, and in due time the principal,
in the only way it can be done-by the i'm
position and collection Of taxes.
Here comes in the trouble. We all know
that taxes are hard to pay; there never was
time when they were easy. And If high
the burdens may be very grieyous. do
by no means wish high taxes; for in addi-
ton to their burden, as [ have said in an
other paper, they tend to hold back the
prosperity of State, and "preyent the
advent Of capital and labor" But there
are things that are far worse for nation
than high taxes. I trust that those who
hold the destinies Of Virginia, in their choice
may save US.
TO AVOID HIGH TAXES
as much as possible, let there be, in the ad-
ministration of the government, "econo-
my, retrenchment, and self.sacrifce." Re-
duce its expenses to the lowest possible
standard, keeping in view, however, such
rates as will secure able, efficient, and hon.
est men to discharge its functions. The
whole session has been spent most diligently
in this work, and doubt not your commit
tees have gathered for you data that will
enable you to carry on the government at
the lowest rates consistent with its ethcien-
cy and vigor.
When this is done and there is still de-
fciency to meet the obligation, the question
will arise with regard to an increase OF
taxation, either upon the subjects taxed or
by finding new ones. AS far as my indl-
yidual opinion goes, I see no magic in the
words 'fifty cents on the one hundred dol
lars" and think the people would not feel
it were it little more or little less. A
few cents more would meet the demand and
not be felt by the individual. whilst the
credit OF the Commonwealth would be pre-
served. Who will hesitate in his choice
But il the rate OF taxation cannot be
raised, are there not new subjects on which
taxes may be imposed? Why cannot there
be stamp tax?
WHY CANNOT CHURCH PROPERTY BE TAXED
No one values religion and its ordinances
more than myself. believe there can be
40 solid virtue and morality without them.
There must be n sense Of responsibility to
make either good citizens or good
men. The nobleSt lessons Of this are
taught by religion: seated at the heart
of society it permeates it with its
gentle but powerful influences. 1 am,
consequently, in favor Of churches, and in
favor of throwing around their property
the strongest muniments Of defence. And,
therefore, I would have them "render unto
Caesar the things that are Csesar's "-and to
come to the rescue in the time Of the States
extremity-an vindicate, by practice, their
noble teachings OF justice, honesty, and
fair dealing. The tax on each individual
interested would be but few cents, and
yet would speak loudly in behalf OF reli-
gion as power for good.
These are q few new subjects that occur
to me. Many others, doubt not will be
by your wider knowledge. Let
every source and subject Of taxation be
reached to accomplish the object that rises
in importance above every other matter Of
legislation. I know the property-holders,
who have at last to pay the taxes, inasmuch
as the capitation-taX remains constitution
ally the same, would upon a moments re-
Election most cheerfully respond; for ii the
debt is not settled, what becomes OF their
Its agitation has depreeiateu its
value beyond calculation. Ana if Virginia
does not fulfil her obligations,
FAREWELL NOT ONLY TO HER GREATNESS,
but farewell to that confidence out of which
her prosperity must grow, and on which
the value of the property Of her citizens
rests.
But should the General Assembly, after
having exhausted these means, and after
having reached every subject OF taxation,
conclude that the taxes cannot be raised by
reason Of the impoverished condition OF the
country-resulting from the public enemy
and the act of God-from war and drouth
and flood, with all Of which we have been
will then have reached the only
excuse for the non-payment OF an honest
debt-inability. This is an excuse that
does not affect the obligation OF the con-
tract; it affects only its performance. 1t is
not settled by assuming defiant air, be-
cause that is entitled to no standing in the
court either of morals or law, but by fair
and honest and amicable adjustment.
I do not think it beneath the dignity OF a
State to pursue this course. 1t was not be-
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