The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-01-10
CORRESPONDENCE OF Valley virginian.l
LETTER FROM RICHMOND.
WORK OF THE LEGISLATURE--AGGI
TIoN or REMOVAL OF CAPITAL.
RICHMOND, Jan. 9th. IS

TION OF REMOVAL OF CAPIIAII.
RICHMOND, Jan. 9th. 1873.
Since s'the pomp and circumstance at
tending the Inauguration of Governor Ilo.-
liday have passed away, the capitol and the
city have resumed their wonted quiet, and
the representatives of the people have settled
down to the determination to work actively
in the interests of their constituents. The
question Of the State debt, your intelligent
readers all know, is the great, the all absorb
ing question of the day. REIMBURSEMENT
of the debt, at the earliest practicable mo-
ment, and upon such terms as will be just
and equitable to the people, is the fixed and
firm purpose OF a good majority of Virginia.
representatives. But the fact need not be
disguised, that the friends and advocates of
the funding bill and Of the settlement al
ready made, by which the people have been
bamboozled and swindled into a contract
which is said to bind them so fast that they
cannot release themselves, are here in
strength. The large cities of the State, and
many of the political leaders in the small
towns, are very strong against readjust-
mcnt, especially the forcible thing, stigma
thing it as the browning act of villainy and
dishonor Readjustment,,, however, is one of
the thing which this Legislature is resolved,
sooner. or later, to accomplish. There is
rcrve, resolution and will enough to effect
what the people have already resolved on.
Conferences Of men on both sides of the i'm
pending issueare held almost every night and
preparations are making for thebattle soon
to be joined. Slight skirmlshing is already
commencing. The re-adjusters will go into
battle under skllful. bold and able leaders.
In all the manouvreing. so far, they have
come out with flying colors. OF Augustus
representatives, Gen. Echols and Mr.. VAN
Lear will probably cast their fortunes, in
the final struggle, with the reimbursement
element in the Legislature. whilst Senator
Koiner and Maj. Hanger'will probably stand
on the other side of the line. TheSe. how
ever, are simply conjectures. Should
Messrs. Echols and Van Lear take the p0
sition which we have suggested as probable,
they will unquestionably not misrepresent,
in our Judgment, majority OF the tax-pay
ing and heavily burdened people of Augusta.
There is here quiet but deep seated SEN
timent in favor or removing the capitol from
Richmond Staunton, Charlottesville, Cor
louisville, Lynchburg and Salem have all
been mentioned as the future seat of gov
eminent. The preference is decidedly ex-
pressed for Staunton on account of the en-
terprize and liberality OF her citizens. her
delightful and salubrious climate. and the
fact of its being the location of several of the
States great public charitable institutions.
This purpose was foreslladowed before the
holidays, in a resolution offered by MEM
Der of the House of Delegates from the
southwest, which was at the time regarded
rather lightly by the citizens Of Richmond,
but is now growing serious. The reasons
assigned for this change are various and
numerous. The condition of the States
finances are such as to require disposition
OF all of her property Of which she can dis
pose, and it is expected that any of the above
named towns will gladly give the ground
for an eligible location and build capitol
and governors mansion. The sale of the
capitol square. capitol, glbernational man
sion, &C., will realize at least one million of
dollars. Another reason given for the
proposed change, is the absence of all SYM
pathy on the part of the people of the CITY
Of Richmond with the people OF the State
in their great efforts to rid themselves CT
the iEiquties of the funding bill. The rep.
resentatives of the people here are surround
cd with the mllrky atmosphere of the fund
ing billisIn. The advocates of that iniguity
OF the ages are elected to represent this
capital city in the Legislature, and every
influence here is brought to bear in its favor.
The honest representatives of the people are
tired of all this. and long for a more con-
genial region where measures intended to
relieve the suffering people may be matur-
ed, free from the communicating influences
now prevailing here. 1t is now the purpose
of rery large number of the members to
submit TO this no longer. The State s prop
erty here can be sold for large sum, and
the money devoted to the relief Of the peo-
pie. A spot more congenial in all respects
can be found in the rural districts and the
representatives of the people freed from the
disturbing and communicating influences to
which they are now subject. They are de-
termined to press this question of removal
and. at present, Staunton and Salem are
the most favored localities. 1t is no secret
here that this question will soon be cansid-
cred in caucus of the members of both
houses favorable to the proposition.