The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-10-30
RcdieId OH Virginia Politics.
CORRESPONDENCE Cincinnati Commercially

hlCHhONu, A., OCtoucl IA'
I have sent you some amusing specimens
OF "campaign arguments" used here
against w. W. Newman. the opponent OF
Joe Johnston. But now Newnan's friends
have something against "Old Joe" that is
considered a fair Offset to the conduct Of
Newman in demanding one-half OF the
g free and yagrant fish" that float in the
waters which course through his land. 1t
is told against Johnston that about the time
the battle Of Bull Run he had two Irish
soldiers shot on some trfling charge. 1t is
alleged that il these men had not been Irish
they would not have been shot. AS the
Irish vote in this district is large, and as the
story is given wide circulation, it Is thought
that /" Old Joe" will suffer more or less
probably less.
But, campaign documents aside, and look
ing at the contest without reference to what
one party may say OF the other, it seems TO
me that Johnston will be elected by con-
siderable majority. The "solid element
is for lnnl, or, as Newman puts it, call the
lawyers and maior-generals." In Rich
mond, at least, the lawyers, and generals,
and colonies seem to be the larger share Of
the population. Lucky is the candidate
who can bring this vast element to his sup
port. ~. ua...l..- l., -,...-
STATE DEBT. ~.
The question Is asked, How does Joe
Johnston stand on the State debt? Well,
he don't stand on it at all more than he can
help, for in truth it is dangerous subject
for candidates to tackle. II he should pro-
nounce in favor of paying all this vast
debt-about SAG, 1000, 900, and increasing Mt
the rate OF $3,000,000 annually--it would
kill him. No candidate can live in Virginia
and favor an increase Of taxation sufficient
to pay this. On the other hand, should be
favor paying none Of it, he would be called
q repudiator, and no open repudiator can
be elected, although partial. regulators,
readiusters,D $50 called, go through with
case. Hence, Johnston has little to say on
the subject, as indeed it is a question with
which Congress has nothing to do. ii
I asked an old citizen as to Johnston's
views on the State debt, and he replied with
emphasis, 'sY on may be sure Joe Johnston
is no repudiator."
But the question is full OF vexation for
office-hunters. All the candidates for Con-
gress try to dodge it, as we'll they may, 1t
Is ludicrous to see the way some OF them
turn and twist to keep from committing
themselves. And then, in the midst.of an
ELOQUENT sentence about the sins OF the Rad
lCaiS, W HdfC SoiuCUOuJ III ohC oduiChSC Gil
out sHow bout the State debt 2" is in th e
highest degree exasperating. As yet no
candidate that I have heard OF has taken
grounds either for open reputation
or entire payment. They straddle and
hop about over the question like a
turkey on hot stove. Meantime,
the tax is but five mills, there is no money
in the Treasury and the creditors get moth
ing. The teachers Of the public schools are
unpaid, and recently the Governor and au.
thorities attempted to borrow 100000 to
pay the teachers. They promised the sacred
honor and faith OF the grand old Common
wealth, and alison high rate OF interest, but
it was no 60. Men with money clamped
their purses the tighter when Virginia came
around as d borrower, Us one Involuntary
does when be suspects that he is shadoWed
by pickpoc kets. Not a doliar could be had.
The Governor even held conference with
leading bankers, but it was no 20, 49,. ...
$3.50 IS, q PaosPEGTs ARE GLOOMY 8 ,,;,a.. I
for creditors. Some years. ago I:predicted
thas they would eventually get but fifty
cents on the dollar, Whichswas thought 10
TO ben SANDER on the grand, old Common
wealth al the time, bnEnow Edoubt IL they
ever gettfty. i look ior,tbe so.eailed Il re-
adinsters :, 10 gain. control OF the sLegisla-
ture, and compromise with the creditors at
abont forty cents.i 81, 81 t;;iil
There IL asconsid erable party herewho
Claim that the GoYernment!of the United
States should settle this debt, and, In fact,