Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1878-02-26

J BOtE1A 0AA@ 6%T~% 49,
mouious, and we returned it in this
shape to the Senate. There the battle
was renewed. The politically pi0us
Brooke demonstrated, but it was too
late. The bill i;self was cliuched and
he could only oppose his own emascu-
lated amendment. Mir. Phlegar Il
Mr.. Dickinson who had voted for the
bill at first and after long persuasion
now turned against it, aud Mr.. Mar
shall. who had voted against it, now
went for the substitute, and it carried
Inv a majority Of d and went to the
Governor, whose decision is not yet
known.
Senator Marshall had been booked
for the bill, but ali persuasion and
pressure were useless. He voted
against it. There was some doubt as
to whether its passage was good with
out the constitutional IL of ga
majority of the whole Senate. He
was appealed to as possibly having the
fate of the bill in his hands. But he
refused to come to the rescue. of the
State-to save Virginia. But it was
no use. Even Gen. Lee, one of the
strongest opponents Of the bill, had
the magnauimity to go 10 him and
tell him to change his vote and give
I it the constitutional majority, and let
its friends secure it.. He only replied
he would go and see Daniel frat
Senator Daniel told him TO stand firm
aud he Ooeyed.
THE REAPORTIONBIENT BILL
was finally passed and sent to the
Governor to-day. It gives Washing
ton two delegates, and Washington
and Smyth a Senator, leaving US un-
changed. We had a boisterOus voy-
age to save u people from loss. but
we effected it.. May I modestly claim
that better work than this could not
have been done by any Senator and
Delegates we could have sent here?-
Buchanan and Wise get a delegate,
Emyth and Bland one, Giles and Pu-
lsski one. Craig and Roanoke one
All the other counties in the South
west get a delegate. In the Senate
Lee, Scott and Wise'get q delegate,
Russell. Tazewell and Buchanan one,
Wythe, Pulaski, Bland and Giles one.
Cur Congressional District gets y
Delegates and 5 Senators.
Oar Finance Committee has report
cd to the House q
BILL TO REFUND THE DEBT,
and it has been made the special and
continuing order for next Tuesday at
one O'Clock. 1t proposes to issue new
bonds foTthe principal OF the present
debt of $50. 350. G26 SO, plus the Liter
any and Sinking Funds, ia all S35,-
ga, 343.53 to bear three per cent in
terest for twenty years, and thereafter
ut four per cent. But the expenses of
The State Government, and Of the
Free School System are to be paid
first. and the debt must take it chan
ces after these and not first, as now.-
a fter paying three per cent, the resi-
due Of the revenue is TO be used 90 pay
the arrearages to the School Fund and
after that to the payment Of the un-
paid and past due interest on the debt
about five millions. The bonds are
TO be non-taXable. a feature ! dO-not
like. Some Of our readjusters will not
vote for this bill, but are disposed to
claim better terms. But it is doubtful
if better terms car Or had and to hold
for better ones may defeat readjHst-
ment. I Lave always doubted the
propTiety Of our making any offer al
ali. If only q portion of the creditors
should accept il, and the courts would
bring about such a result, if they
should declare the Barbour Bill inval-
id. it would leave the debt question
again in n muddle. If the bill stands,
as we hopei it will, therewill be no dan
ger. A speedy decision by the court
Will, any way, avert any danger, !
suppose. / would much prefer an Of
fer from the bondholders. as in the
case OF Tennessee, and | would not
object 10 a statement Of such erms as
we would be willing to accept from
them.
The end seems near at hand. In
spite OF the jeers and taunts OF the
opposition it now looks as though we
shall readjust the debt. Next Friday
we shall probably elect the Circuit
Judges. ! DO not think the number
Of circuits Will be reduced
We have sent t. the Senate a re-
trenchment bill that makes the blood
squirt. It viii save some $50, 600 or
$50, eco per annum. We have re-
trenched and are about to resdjust.-
Cur friends. the enemy, have sworn
we would DO neither. Let the end be
what it may, this Legislature has, !
think. done its duty fearlessIy and
bravely, and will, l think. deserve
applause.
Several OF our county men are in
the city. Capt. J. 81. Byars and Mr..
Chas. Stuart, now Of Russell, and DR..
G 3. Johnston have called to see me
to-day and yesterday. The latter has
settled here to practice his profession.
Gen. Joseph Z. Johnston is a cGndi-
date for Congress, and I presume will
sweep tie field.