The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-01-30

oal l6eariiirS intefest. stnls moae Oh
ifatfrip tl,e Tiebt about one million OF dol
ma IL nutto'the princip al which should be
+, the intereM colt,uan, and thus about $780,
,ef a Interpstannualiy lis estimated as the
burden OF interest due by Virginia more
He hnped that nothing would be sent
rom here as authoritative until it was first
closely examined: He would as willingly
trust Mr.. TAL1AFERRo 1.-THE chairman OF the
as anybody he knew, but
after finding nh error OF a million dollars he
was indisposed to give authoritativeness to
the document without further and fuller
examination.
THE SPEAKER ON. THE FLOOR.
Sneaker ALLEN (Mr. LACY in the chair)
II hipbly necessary that the people
should he better informed than they are on
the subject OF the public debt. Not more
than two DAYS ago an address had been put
forth by the Richmond Chamber OF Com
merce stating that the deficit was $780,
900. .r
B The State had time after time been flooded
witt, false estimates and statements. and
upon the faith OF them gentlemen earnestly
and honestly in favor OF settling the public
debt had been characterized rs repudiators.
Inyectiye and SANDER In this matter had
usurped the place OF reason. :,
Mr.. ALLEN argued that last year the de-
felt was over 100000, after failing to pay
much that was due the schools and any IN
terest on the sinking and literary funds,
while in the circulars which had been sent
broadcast over the State it was put only al
100000. -.
Mr.. ALLEN wanted this report to go out
TO show the people that the debt IS even
more than the advocates OF readl ustment
claimed. He wished the people to see ina,
II tbe gentlemen who carry the honor OF
the State IN their breeches-pocket pay 1ull
interest they must double the taxes. He
did not concur with Mr.. HENRY in the
opinion that the statement OF the Second
Auditor, made this morning, confiicted Wlth
the committees report. Both documents
came from the Second Auditor on Monday
He believed il Mr.. HENRY would analyze
the two statements he would find that they
were not conflicting. lie hoped the report
would be printed in order that the people
might be enlightened upon subject upon
which they had so little information, or In
formation which was very far from being
correct.
THERE Is NO ERROR.
Mr.. w. II. TALIAFERRo, the chairman Of
the sub committee which prepared the re-
port. replied to Mr.. HENRY, and argued
that no error in his statement had beer
pointed out. The interest reported as IN
cluded in the principal Of the debt Is au
thorized by the funding bill, and should be
reported lust as it is. It is but an act o.
simple Justice to the holders Of the pcelel
bonds that they should be placed, as far a.
it is practicable to do so, on an equal loot
ing with the consol bondholders.
~. M1cROsCoPICAL EXAMINATION.
Mr.. HARv1E would not discuss the aecu
racy OF the report as endorsed by the Secont
Auditor. But he would say that he hat
never seen man devote himself to legls
lative work like Mr. TALIAFERRo had to this
and that his work had undergone the mos
microscopical examination. The report hat
been scrutinizcd by the officers OF the gov
ernment and the Finance Committee lten
by item. II it was possible to have state
ment more accurately made up this shoul'
not be published. But how is it possible t
get more reliable one? He thought TIL
report necessary to the defence OF the gen
tlemen in this General Assembly who al
charged with making false statements OF tn
public debt, and with being intent upol
reputation.
PREACHERS IND OFFICE-HOLDERs.
Mr.. HARyIE commented with some seye
rity upon preachers entering the discussion
Of the public debt here in Richmond. FL
thought they had violated the precepts o
the Bible in Joining hands with the money
changers.
He declared himself in favor OF payin!
every dollar possible, and would have tn
State strip herself to do it. He was in ia
yor OF cutting down all salaries except th
Supreme Court judges and public-schoo
teaghers, he wanted to reduce the office
holding and office-seeking aristocracy, AM
would 60 farther, and reduce the peopl
wellnigh to beggary to pay what IS due
But he must understand what is due. Thel
he would apply the pruning-knife and re
duce the public debt to its proper limits
He would cut down the governmental eX
penses to the lowest notch. And said he
Let the gentlemen who are calling lis repu
diators, who are seeking to destroy. on
reputation as statesmen and rs men, do n
much as am willing to do, and there vii
be no difficulty.
Mr.. HARvIE commented upon the pro
crastination and delay which had defeated
all measures of rctrenchment and cconom.
so far proposed. He asked the gentlemen
OF the opposition to join him in his resolv
to cut down the expenses OF the govern
ment and devote every dollar possible t.
the payment OF our debt found Justly due
KEEP COOL.
General EcHoLs regarded it as most im
hot
sideration OF this question cooly and calm
ly-without passion or heat.
Mr.. HARyIE said that when he was inter
ested it was his habit to speak i'll an excited
manner, whether excited or not. Ee wa!
not excited to-day.
General ECHOLs said these Ggures must bt
approached calmly; they must be cast VI
carefully. He begged for GOODNESS and de
liberation. lie was willing that those who
live in the mountain cabins, as well as those
who live in palaces, should be thoroughly
informed. lie complimented Mr.. ITALIA
FERRo upon his unraveling what seemed tt
be an ineXtricable maze Of figures. But ;
matter had now been brought to his Gene
raj ECHoIs's) attention which must give bin
PAUSE. Mr.. HENRY says that he has state
ment from the Second Auditor which differ:
to the extent Of S1,000,000 from the report
of the committee. That is large and i'm
Dortant discrepancy.
General ECHoLs argued that Justice to thu
Second Auditor required that there should
be delay, at least until he could be hcart
from in explanation. II the error is a:
stated it presents the Auditor in an unfu
vorable light in giving two such antago
nistic statements in one day.
General EcHoLs, in conclusion, said,
when the reports complete then scatter il
from the seashore to the mountain-top. II!
trusted that the matter might be postponed
until tomorrow at least.
Mr. GRAVES, by common consent, with