Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-07-23


with which to pay it,
He then afgted to show that taxation could
not be increased. That everything was already
taxed from the cradle to the grave and that
this burden of taxation did not rest heavily up
on the tradesman or the professional man, but
eventually came out of the farmer who digs
his living out of the ground. He claimed that
there were no new subjects of taxation out of
which to raise revenue to pay the interest on
the State debt, and that Gov. Holiday had only
suggested two, the stamp tax, which the speak
er denounced as 4odious, and the taxation of
church property which he regarded as unjust.
To pay the debt at the present rate Of interest
it was absolutely necessary that taxation
should be increased and he had shown that this
could not be done, therefore, what are you 60
ing to do? How are you going to pay it? The
readjusters is the only party that will accom-
plish this without increasing taxation.
He denounced the funding bill becauseit had
funded the war interest on the debt and had
been passed hastily without discussion and by
fraud and corruption. Out Of this bill had
grown all the dissatisfaction in the State. The
people are indignant over the lose Of State
sovereignty. He claimed that this bill had
diverted the funds Of the State to the hands Of
the creditor to the detriment of the public
charities and free schools ofthe State. And yet
these funders talked of the honor Of the State,
he thought a State. which does not provide for
the needs of its deaf, dumb and blind and in
sane was a stain upon the age in which we live.
He then reviewed the present financial con-
dition of the State and declared it bankrupt,
and that it was from this condition that the re-
adjusters had been working and would still
work to rescue her. He reviewed the course of
the readjusters in the last Legislature, and
claimed that the passage of the Barbour bill,
which was that of the readjusters would have
relieved the State of her cmbarrassments, and
would have been accepted by the creditors. He
defended the constitutionality OF the Bill and
said it had been SO declared by some of the
ablest lawyers in the State, among whom he
mentioned Judge Robertson, Attorney General
Field, w. W. Gordon, and James Neeson, and
others. He set forth the objects of the Bill to
be first-to provide for carrying on taa govern
ment; second. to keep up the free schools, and.
third, to give what was left Of the revenue to
the creditors. This Bill met with the disap-
prevail of the Governor, and he said the read
justers had good cause of complaint against the
Governor for this exerciss-ef his veto power,
and quoted from remarks made by the Cover
nor before his election to show that he had an
uOuuC0u tDIL ILLS SuUJCCG VI IuS SbhbC uepG " ~
for the Legislature to settle and not the Exec
utive.
If the Governor thought he had killed out the
readjusters by this veto. he was widely mista-
ken. There would, in few years be another
Governor elected and the readjustars would
see to it that the next was simon-pure read
juster, a Jorctble 0djuster, none other is worth
anything.
A voice-"Did you say forcible adjuster?"
Eyes! I said forcib1e adjuster, and mean it !;
no milk and water, halfway adjuster, we want
a fercible adjuster."
A voice-"That's right; stick to it."
The speaker continued to urge that no settle
ment could be made with the capitalists until
the only nerve in their organism was touched,
viz the pocket. Until that is done nothing
can be accomplished. No remedy can be had
until the people take the matter in hand and
so legislate or change the Constitution, if nee
essary. that the creditor will be compelled to
take what they offer or else go empty handed
That is what he meant by forcible adjustment
He reviewed the action of the Supreme Court
sustaining the Constitutionalityof the Funding
Bill, and quoted from the unanimous decision
of the Supreme Court in Burrows and Abrams
VS.. Peyton, 10th Grattan, to show that one Leg.
islature could not dispose of any portion Of the
sovereignty of State, SO as to be binding upon
subsequent Legislatures.
The readjusters proposed, in the first place tc
maintain the sovereignty of the State, and then
pay the creditors 8, 4, 5 or per cent. interes,
upon the debt, or whatever the State is able to
pay. If that was reputation, then he was
repudiator.
The readjusters wanted to keep up the free
h tot ho IL, c<,ff he
peeler bonds. The debt was accommodating
nearly million Of dollars every year, and in a
short while reputation would come, and the
readjusters desired to save the State from this
dishonor.
EThe real regulators are those who stand in
the way of the readjusters and prevent the
State from having control over her own re-
sources. We, the readjusters, are aiming to
maintain the honor of the State and pay the
creditors what she is able to pay. Thus, and
thus only, will Virginia once again be sover-
eign, and have full control over her own re-
sources, the right of every sovereign power.
At the conclusion of Capt. Paul's remark S,
there were loud calls for
COL. SKINNER.
In response, he advanced to the bar and an
nounced that he was too unwell to speak: but
that were he able, it would do him good frem
the bottom of his heart to reply to the mon
strous doctrines which had been advanced by
the gentleman from Rockingham. He would
not asperse the good people Of Rockingham
but he codld not understand how such senti-
ments as he had listened tocoIld be approved by
a majority of the people of that county. unless
it was because the public men of that county
had been teaching the people a disregard O.
public and political morals He would ask
the gentleman before saying more, whether he
was candidate for Congress.
Mr.. Paul replied, II am not candidate fol
Congress, and have never been a candidate
When my people want me they will let me
know" This answer was greeted with loud
and prolonged applause
Col. Skinner disclaimed any sinister motive
in making the enquiry, and merely wanted to
know what was the gentleman's position,
When the issue Of paying the debt or repu-
dating it was made up, he said, he wanted the
lines drawn. For as between Capt. Paul and the
present incumbent he could see but little diff.
ference. One is a fOrcible adjuster in the heat
the other ''readjuster in the COOL" When the
issue is made, he wanted it fairly and candidly
discussed at every speaking place in the dis
trict and he would have no fears for the result
He felt sure that the people of this county
would stand by the honor of the State, and not
see it sacrificed for a few pitiful cents.
He appealed to the people not to commit
themselves to anyman. but to wait until the is
sue is made up, and then vote for no forcible ad.
ulster, but for a man who represented their
own views.
GEN. ECHOLS-
next took the stand, and, after complimenting
Capt. Paul on his speech and his earnestnesss
Of purpose, regretted that he had not heard all