The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-08-14
THE DEBT.
TIE ADDRESS OF THE STATE CONSERVATIVE COMMIT


TEE.
The following able paper prepared by sub
committee (Messrs. Marye, Shepperd, Figgat.
smith and Davis of the State Conservative Com
mittee, is issued by the direction of the latter
and under the signatures OF its officers:
RICHMOND, August 8, 1879
To the Foters Of tie Conservative Party Of Tirgimid
The plan of organization of the Conservative
party of Virginia defines the duties of the State
Central Commit se follows:
1.-The State Committee is charged aoiH the affairs
of the pnrtg, and shall have power to perfect Its
organization and to direct its conduct In obedience
10 the declarations and policy Of ,he party as the
same shall be set forth BY this Conrentton.
With this grave public trust resting upon
them the committee has viewed with painful
concern an etfult made by persons claiming TO be
Conservat yes to disrupt and destroy the organi-
cation OF the party and to overthrow great pub
lie measure accomplished by a Conservative Leg
stature i'll strict accordance with the policy pro-
claimed by the last Conservative convention.
This disorganiZing faction. While 1t Claims 10 De
recognized IS Conservative, has actually estab-
lished rival political organization throughout
the State, and is actively at work with its lnde-
dependent party machinery avowlng us purpose pose
to nominate and support candidates for the next
Legislature by means outside of the methods
prescribed by the constitution OF the Conserva-
tive party and in defiance OF that constitution.
We should be false to our trust If we lalleoto
DEFEND OUR PARTY
from such assaults and to summon all true CON
servatives to repudiate this faction and TO main,
policy OF the Conservative party. and thus to up
hold an organization which never held higher
ians than at this hour. For ten years it has met
and conquered every difficulty and danger whlch
lnenaced
THE LIBERTY, THE PEACE, AND WELFARE
Of our people. 1t is now arraigned and assailed
10y this faction foe accomplishing benehcent
settlement OF grave and difficult -publl: CUES,
zion which threatened the vital Interests OF all
The people of the State-yiZ the provlulng plan
fur the tfernenr of the pubic debt which should
maintain the public faith aid impose no Increased
burdens upon he people.
TO exhibit the means and tf e netnod by WHICH
this great public need has been met by the CON
ssrys1ive party is duty of the highest obligation
laid upon us an it is duty easy as it is i'm
lsrative for it is susceptible OF absolute Pre- OF
that The plan of settlement is in the highest de-
gree wise Just and practicable, and advantage
+ ans to all the people. To make this plain we
proceed to present from the public records de-
Jailed statement of the action OF our party upon
me Du bic debt from the day when the Conserva-
lives declared their policy and purpose IN popu-
lar convention and summs ned the people TO eject
a Legislature with reference 70 Ihat pol!cy, up ~
the actual contamination OF 1t III the act Tor uhe
settlement OF the debt. The CONSERVATIVE Con
veni,ol which met in August, 1917, fully consc1-
Gus oil the Imperative duty laid upon the party 10
accomplish a settlement, declared the HE OF pol
lev to be pursued i'll e1fecting it. The Legislation
, iIy had created serious obstacles The
creditors were divided into classes with confllct
ing rights. The magnitude OF the yearly interest,"
70 he raid was emptying the Treasury of the
means necessary to provide for other great pup
lie demands. The pubic schools anu cna s s
were suffering, and annual deficit OF over
three quarters of million was occurrlng-
To sc tie the debt at once and forever, 10 main
thin the schools, 10 ensure the SUI port OF the
state Government, to guard against annual ae-
ats and to do all this without dlscred1! 10 the
good faith and good name OF Virginia, ana Will
ant increasing, il possible, the bu dens OF the TAX
navers was the great task assumed iy the Con
seryaiiye party, to the fuliiment q wnlch II
niiehted its faith end pledged Its standard-beaf-
The policy was proclaimed in
TUE PLATFORM OF THE AUGUST CONTENTION,
as follows:
Re it resolved by the Consercatiue party Of ptf-
ioso IL, ConUe7atton assembled, l. While tne COD
Servatiye party true TO the past glorious history
81 Virginia and proud OF her good name ana Tame
omongst the nations OF The earth, Weu seorn 10
Emulate her just obligations, and are resolved
RI preserve inviolate the public faith ana credit,
3be accumulation of our financial di1lculties anu
the increasing weight OF our pubhG dept, we
+herefore arnesty urge upon the Legislature
nd executive branches OF the Government tne
the importance OF using all just and honol ape
means of bringing about an adjustment OF tne
nhI;oations of the Commonwealth Whlch VIII
p;ng the Dayment of interest upon our entire
i.rived from the present rate OF taxation ana &c
eoual Justice to all classes OF our creditors.
That every effort should be used by tne leg
z1a+iye department OF the State to reduce the ex'
nnditures OF the Government and return 10 the
pmathc ia of frugality, economy, and moderation
nracticed by our forefathers and approveu ~
liner generations of Virginians, even IN the
oI1,iasf DAYS of our prosperity.
that in the approaching election OF members
Of the Legislature if is earnestly recommends y:
Nv the Convention that the people snail erect tnen
rnresentatives with view to their WISDOM a ~