The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-01-23
Address Of Readiusters.

At meeting of the Re-adiusters of the
Legislature on Thursday night, the follow
ing address was issued to the people Of Vir-
ginia, reported by Mr.. Barbour, chairman
Of the committee appointed for that purpose.
Judge Allen, DIR. Moffett and Senator Mas
ey opposed the calling of convention
of Re-adjusters. Senator Paul, Mr.. Harrison
Mr.. Barbour, and others approved, and the
address was adopted by vote OF 40 to 16.
Judge Allen said, "1f we who have been
sent here fail to re-adjust the debt, I, for
one, would be afraid to meet my people,
The following lis the address:
To the People Of Virginia:
The Convention which assembled in Rich mond
on the 9Th day of August, 1877, adopted platform
that declared in favor OF readjustment OF the
obligations OF the Commonwealth (which should
bring the annual interest upon our entire in
debtedness within the revenues OF the State de-
rived from the present rate OF taxation and do
equal Justice to all classes ct the public credi
members OF the Legislature, the people should
elect their representatives with view to their
tn financial condition OF the Commonwealth" it
being the manifest spirit and intent of that con-
yention, to remit the whole question of the debt
to the people, to be dealt with by them in the Sc
lection Of representatives to the General Assem-
blv, and by that branch OF the State government
formity wherewith, the Re-Adiusters OF the Gen.
eral. Assembly, at the last session diligently de-
voted their time and earnest thought to the franz
ing and perfection OF such measures as would ex-
ecute their understanding of the popular will in
that respect, defining, and for the first time, the
priating to it's discharge the maximum amount
possible TO be appropriated from the income of
the State under the existing rate OF taxation
when every possible reform and reduction in the
expenses of administration compatible with nec-
essary efficiency, should have been instituted
The result was, the passage OF the bill known as
reterate, that the condition of the people OF the
Commonwealth is such as to render an increase
ble and the General Assembly conceding that
its power to tax the property person of the cit
izen must at all times be confined within the rea-
ment of the General Assembly, is the ability OF
the citizen to pay, without ruinous damage to
rate OF taxation, to wit: fifty cents on every hun
dred dollars OF assessed value Of property, is the
Limit tg ThA s3s General
nues OF the Commonwealth, with the present rate
of taxation (Which is the highest that should be
maintain its governmental organization by paying
the necessary expenses incident thereto, under
the most rigid system of economy, and to dis
charge ,1ts obligations to the system OF free
schools ordained by the fundamental law OF the
Commonwealth, and to pay the present rate OF in
terest On the amount claimed as the principal OF
the public debt and that the preservation Of the
State Government is absolutely necessary, not
only for the protection Of the person and proper
rights of the creditor of the Commonwealth
In conformity with such declaration, and in the
belief that the authority to levy taxes and con
is an inalienable attribute Of the sovereignty OF
the Commonwealth which the General Assembly
ate, provision was made-hrst for the mainte-
nance OF the State Goveynment second, for the
support Of the pqSlic tee schools leaving the
utmost the State is able to pay upon the public
debt. The will OF the people as thus expressed,
was defeated by the exercise of the veto power by
the Governor. Adherihg. nevertheless to these
principles, and to the views expressed as to the
ability Of the people TO endure higher rate Of
the earliest adjustment OF the public debt, in
conformity with your views, and satisfied as we
must take measures to enforce them, will, in this
respect and in view of the fact that they are now
confronted by an organized party, openly pro-
claimed, whose purpose, so far as declared, is to
effect the election Of members to the next Gener-
al Assembly whose qualifications shall be cour-
age, talent and character to vote whatever in
necessary to pay the public debt in full; to cut
down the Apr OPERATIONS to your free schools by
the arbitrary destruction OF the funds dedicated
to them by the Constitution, and to raise among
themselves whatever money may be necessary to
conduct their crusade against the people
1t is believed to be our duty to advise, and we
do earnestly advise, those OF you who favor q res
toration to the State Government OF its inaliena-
BILE control OF the revenue of the State who favor
the appropriation with firm and unvarying fdel-
ity) for public free school purposes of the whole
fund so dedicated by the Constitution and who
favor e-adiustment OF the public debt upon the
principles and within the limits prescribed by the
Barbour bill, which has been here in set FORTH to
appoint delegates, by county, district and ward
meetings, as you may see fit, to attend conven :
ton OF e-Adjusters. to be held in the city Of
Richmond, on Tuesday, the 18th day OF February,
1879, that you may for yourselves give direct ex-
preston to your views in this respect and take
such measures as may seem to you proper to pro-
zens and taxpayers Of the Commonwealth.