The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-07-25

deafening applause, and commenced. He
speak, and he wished it was otherwise. for
it would do lis heart good to respond to
the monstrous doctrine pronounced by the
gentleman who had just taken his seat
He could not understand how the people of
Rockingham could endorse such sentiments
as he had heard proclaimed unless it was
that the public men Of that county had been
teaching them such reckless disregard OF
morals. The first question he would ask
the gentleman, was whether or not he was
a candidate for Congress?
Cries of 'sAnswer'' ''answer'' 'sSboot
it to him. &c.
Paul-rising cody and deliberately am
not candidate for Congress and have new
er been candidate for. any position, but
when my people want me they always let
me know" (Deafening and continued
yells.)
Skinner had no sinister motive in max
ing the inquiry, but simply wished to UNI
derstand your position"
Paul-"I trust my answer was sufficient
ly clear" cheers.)
Col. Skinner, after pause, then
continued. If i. is the purpose to Introduce
the debt question into the State canvass, he
wanted the lines drawn. According to his
information. Mr.. Paul's opponent, Judge
Harris stood on pretty much the same plat
form, except that Harris was IRE -adjus-
ter in the cool,'' and Paul was and always
had been in both the heat and cool. If the
contest was narrowed down to those two he
would support the one who had borne
the heat and burden of the day. But he
had no fears that it would be limited to such
confines. He wanted the question discuss
enough in the people to believe that they
would not sacrifice their own honor, the
honor of their fathers and the honor of the
State, that they might save few paltry
cents. He warned them not to commit
themselves, to wait until the issues were
made up, then he would take the stump. if
necessary, in Augusta, Rockingham and
Shenandoah, in opposition to such
monstrous doctrine as had been promulga-
ted.
Col. Skinner took his seat, the crowd ap-
plauded, and then set up confused and
deafening yell for "Paul," 'Echols" and
ssWhite," and for about half minute it
looked like there would be some fun, but
GENERAL ECHOLS
Gained the tumult, and commenced speak
ing. He gave Mr.. Paul credit for sinceri-
ty of conviction in every thing he had said !;
he knew him to be an honest and able man,
and one whose speeches would be listened
to attentively by any audience. He had not
had an opportunity of hearing all OF Paul's
address, but thought he knew about what
it was, as within the last year he had heard
the question discussed In all its various lights
and phases, and by none more eloquently
than by the gentleman who had just taken
his seat. And although he differed widely
from tire views which had been advanced, he
yet knew that those Views were as honestly
entertained as forcibly enunciated.
Whilst absent from the court he had had
Il conversation with his little son, which he
thought would serve very we'll as a text.
He had met the boy and asked why he
didn't so to the Court house and hear the
speaking.
''What are they speaking about, PAP"
''They are speaking on the subject OF
tbo Toto DOH Do, &c
presenting che re-adjuster side of the case"
''Are the re-adjusters the men who want
to p0y the debt, Pa?''
swell no, my son, 1 don't think they
have been distinguished for any such desire.
CHEERS
''What do they want to talk about the
debt now for? Is there any election coming
on?" Cheers
''There is no State election, my son, but
the Congressional election comes off IN the
fall"
A voice ''Are you re-adjuster ?''
Gen'l Echols-I will answer that question
presently. [ recognize the right of any
whom l have the honor to represent to ask
me any questions pertaining to public af-
fairs, and inasmuch is have not had an
opportunity of addressing my constituency
since my return from Richmond, I more
eagerly embrace this occasion to tell
them something of my action as their dele
gate. l hold myself bound to render an
account of my stewardship, to tell what |
have done and will do, and yours is the
right to demand plain, fair answer to
any question you may PROFOUND.
If for the past eight years the people of
the State had put forth the same energy and
industry to pay the debt that they have ex-
pended in trying to devise means how not
to pay it, Virginia would be in far better
condition. Cheers And now, with even
the clouds which surround it, they should
apply every agency within their reach to
tile payment of this debt. for il any people
had less cause to complain it is the people
of the Seventh District. They are blessed
with peace and plenty, with as fair land
as the sun shines upon, with gamers over
flowing, and with the means of commune
cation with the markets of the world. In
stead Of wagoning to Scotsville, Richmond
and Fredericksburg as in! olden times,
railroad links the waters of the Ohio with
the sea, and affords every facility for trans
portation. In this district alone, what
benefit have you derived from this debt, the
interest on which you are now asked
to pay? The sum expended here is enor-
nous. The items are as follows
Blue Ridge Tunnel. .................$1,6 1913, 1928
Covington & Ohio r. R........".... 5000, 461
Manassas Gap R. r. .............. ... 2,2S0,000
Va. Central R. R..".......... ..".... 2,013,9SS
Valley Turnpike, (McAdam) ........ 1884, S1
Staunton & Parkersb'g Turnpike. 1854
Warm Spring &c Harrisonb'g $ $4,000
Staunton & James River . $1,000
Howardsville & Rockflsh I" 1880
junction Valley to Lexington 8. $4,000
aggregating $l0,O00,00O, or almost one
third of the entire State debt. And then
too the Asylum and P. .. y B. Institution,
by which are expended annually nearly
$l00, 1000. are not included in this statement.
Does this look as if we should refuse to pay
we who have had such ten-fold return
from the amount we are called upon for and
the advantages of which we are daily reap