The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-12-19
A Plan for Paying the Debt of Virginia

Editors Falley Virginian Having been
called on afew days ago by my brethren Of
the bar, after adjournment OF our Court,
(rather as piece OF fun for a speech on the
public debt question, did get up and give
them the outlines of a plan that was running
in my mind. Upon thinking more over the
subject, have Concluded TO put my thoughts
on the subject in writing, as you have al
ways been liberal and willing to present
even that that is contrary to your views OF
public policy. | ask you to give my plans a
place in your columns, however humble the
individual from whom thew come and feebly
expressed.
10 illustrate will take the county of Au-
gusta. Augusta pays annually in round
numbers thirty-fye thousand dollars for
school purposes, s12, 600 taxes on property,
g. 900 capitation. These two sums making
$4,000, go away into the general school
fund. The supervisors levy for school pur-
poses 1000, this makes the S34, 900. OF the
$4,000 Augusta gets back about 81, 0G0, leav-
ing $4,000 that goes where the woodbine
twineth.
Give me the Sl2 200 taxes paid on proper
ty, and the 5000 levied by the supervisors.
making 100000, and | win allow YOU to
have the 81 900 capitation tax which, with
Augustus share of the literary fund, would
make over $1,000. This | will give for
school purposes, to be divided between the
townships of the county, to be managed BY
one or two obseryant gentlemen in each
township appointed by the County Court,
either in paying teachers or supplementing
private schools.
Now for the $780, 1000; this will use in pay
ing the debts Of the State, and if | am not
mistaken in five years I will have of the
bonds of the State three hundred thousand
dollars with accumulated interest. and
better school system.
The advantages of my plan The bonds
of the State are haWked in the markets of
the world as low down, am told as $35 90
for 500, and why should we not avail our
selves and even strain a point to get out of
debt
But Oh, the schools, the school system,
they must be preserved. The Constitution,
the Constitution requires tin any legisla-
ture of this sort, legislators would violate
their Oaths and periGre themselves. Did it
ever occur to our. legislators that in voting
for fQrcible adjustment he violates his oath.
The Constitution provides for the pay
menta OF the public debt equally with
the establishment OF free schools--more
than this, the Goth section, 10th article, lin
iting the power of the Legislature as to tax
alton gives the power to tax for paying the
debt aud gives no express power to tax for
Free Schools, sothat the Constitutional obli |
CATION is much higher to pay the debt.
Again, if something like my plan would |
meet with favor, it might be accepted for at
least five years, it would be doing nothing
more than making restitution for the money, |
had like to have said was stolen from the |
creditors five years in advance Of the re. |
quirements OF the Constitution.
l am. Mr. Editor, neither q prophet nor the !
son of a prophet, but / undertake to say |
that unless the people OF Virginia either give |
up or greatly modify this State Free School |
system, the debt of the State will be- hard to |
manage. They must do this, repudiate Or !
greatly increase the taxes, the latter with |
their private debts is more than the people |
can bear. am no politician, Mr.. Editor, /
and never expect to be. ] say and write these |
things from no selfish motives. know my |
sentiments on the school question are un-
popular. If were a political aspirant would !
at least keep my mouth shut on this subject. |
The questions with me, are my views sound |
and do speak the truth?
Very Respectfully,
II