Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-10-31
Letter from Virginia.
LYxcuprRa. Va. Oct. oath,


To the Editor Of the Kennebee Journal:
1t may not be unnteresting to your read
ers TO know something of Virginia politics at
this time. Our election for members Of the
Legislature comes off Nov. 4th, and the pO-
litical caldron is foaming and we are having
one of the most exciting campaigns known
here for some years past.
From the time Walker was elected Govern
or, up to the present, our finances have been
in terrible muddle. In 1871 Governor
Walker organized what is known as the
Funding Bill. The debt at that time was sup
posed to be about thirty five millions. (The
officials did not know exactly how much it
was.) BY the Funding Bill, fifteen millions
were repudiated as belonging to West Virgin
ia to pay, and twenty millions funded in cou-
pom bonds bearing six per cent. interest, the
coupons being receivable for taxes. As most
of the taxes were paid in these coupons, there
was not sufficient currency received at the
treasury to pay offthe running expenses ofthe
State including the pay ofmembers ofthe Leg
islature. So, very soon, even many who first ia
vored the bill became dissatisfied with it. and
at the last session Of the Legislature it was
repealed and what now ia known as the Nc
Callsugh Bill, was passed. 1t is a very fair
and liberal bill, offered by the bondholders
rs a compromise upon the passage of the
Mccullough Bill, the democrats were much
divided and they had very stormy and ex-
citing session. There is great dissatisfaction
now among the people with the Mccullough
Bill.
The two parties now fighting each other
are the friends of the Mccullough Bill, and
tho o,,pououts ho than, stRaa1ius.
ters." We think they are pretty equally d.
vided, that is, the democrats hence the hard
fight, for there is to be United States Sena-
tor chosen by the coming Legislature, (COl.
Witiers term expiring next March, and
there are candidates not few.
Each party is striving for the republican
votes, neither Of which objects to the color
of the voter. 1t is no ''niggcr party now.
II is quite relief to the republicans to have
an election when they are not abused beyond
measure, and they can smile while the demo-
Gratis are accusing each other of their short
comings, laying bare each others sins of COM
mission and omission.
Most of the white and leading republicans
andthe intelligent portion ofthe colored voters,
favor the Mccullough bill, fearing that read
justing means reputation, to which they are
opposed in every sense of the word. They
have no objection to seeing the question
smash the democratic party in twain. The
prospect is that it will do so. They are call
ing each other such hard names, we cannot
conceive how they can come together again.
We think the object of some of the read
justers is to break up what they call the
Ring of BOurbonism or caucus rule.
They are led by Gen. Malone, Parson Mas
sey of Charlottesville, Paul of Harrisonburg,
and many other good speakers. Gen. Malone
has an eye to the Senatorship. and we should
not be surprised if he should reach it. JnO.
w. Daniel of Lynchburg, Hon. John Harris,
Congressman from the Valley, (who dares
not show his hand on the debt question: Col.
Withers (our present Senator), Hon. John
GoOde, (The fraudulcnt,) Hon. j. X. Tucker
and Others too numerous to mention.
The news fran Ohio has dsheartened our
Virginia Bourbon democrats and they sadly
mourn over the political death of their favor
tie Thurman, he. being native of Virginia.
was their choice a. the Presidential candi-
date. They acknowledge the cause to be-
his running after strange Gods, greenback
heresy, imitation, &c.
The news from Maine in September was
certainly cheering to native republican from
that State, and we could not refrain from lift
ing our beavers and shouting three hearty
cheers for Maine and Blaine. We are hap
py to say that J. g. Blaine is held in high
esteem by the republicans Of Virginia.
The last time we voted in Maine was in
1910, at Hallowell, and for Gen. Harrison--we
remember well that election day and the old
and young Wings with whom we fought.
The older ones have doubtless passed away
sad thought. We hope the next vote we cast
for President may be for Names favorite.
A company Of gentlemen from Pennsylva-
mia, headed by Gov. Hartranft, was here last
week examining magnetic iron ore beds near
our CITY, also a Rolling Mill which has been
lying idle for five or six years. We under
stand they had purchased the ore deposits
and the mill, and that they will commence
operations at once. The iron ore deposits in
this section Of Virginia are truly immense and
of the richest and most desirable varieties.
Instead of Virginia pleading poverty she
ought to have been one of the richest States
in the Union, and nothing but impractible
politicians has kept her where she is. Her
Legislators have been, a. q general thing,
trading politicians. paper-made patriots, and
gassy demagogues; her practical business
men are seldom sent to the legislature,
hence her finances are and have been mud.
die ever since the republicans went out of
power and the Walker regime commenced.
We are pleased to learn through your
Journal that business had SO revived in my
native State. We ever feel deep interest
in her welfare and prosperity. More anon.
s. p.