The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-09-24
Augusta BOOnns.

FIELD MAKES STRONG ARGUMENT FOR THE
M'CULLOCH BILL-PAUL on HAND FIGHTING
WITH HOPELESS PLUCK SAMUEL NJ. PAGE
CARRIES THE CROWD AND THE DAY-oLD
AUGUSTA ALL RIGHT, AS USUAL.
Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.l
STAUNToN, Va, September %, 1879.
There was large crowd here Yesterday
morning, being brought by the announce
ment OF several OF the most popular speak
ers on both sides in the canvass. When the
bell rung at - o'clock to announce the hour
the crowd poured into the courthouse, and
it was soon so full that many had to 60 away
unable to get admittauce. The meeting
was called to order by William A. Burke,
Esq, member Of the State Executive
Committee, and Mr. John Fl. Crawford, an
original Readiuster but now staunch ad-
vocate Of the McCulloch settlement, was
called to the chair. Major Charles S. String
fellow, who was expected, could not meet
the appointment, but Mr.. Samuel Nj. Page,
OF Richmond, reported as his substitute.
The discussion was opened by Attorney
General James G.. Field, who gave clear
and close account Of the S'ate-debt settle
ment, embracing Its whole history, from the
passage Of the funding bill up to the pre-
sent time, bringing in some points and
original views new to many OF the audi
ence, who gave him the closest and most
respectful attention for an hour and quar-
ter. He said he had been and was Re-
adiuster, not from choice, but from conYic-
ton that the debt was more than Virginia
could pay, and as far as the interest WAS
concerned, it should assume such proper
tons as she could annually or semi-an-
nualy pay every dollar Of. He had
never had any doubt about the legality
of the debt. Since the war this had been
acknowledged time and again by the Legis-
Iature, the Readjusters, the MoZarters, and
everybody else. The great Convention Of
1877 acknowledged the States obligation to
pay every dollar Of it. Again, in 1878 in the
Legislature there was another recognition
OF the debt in the Bocock-Fowler bill. The
Barbour bill had offered a settlement more
favorable to the creditors than the McCul-
loeb bill. The former gave to the creditors
for period Of ten years S1,414,000 interest
each year. The latter 100000, 'or S454,-
900 less. The creditors made a mistake
against themselves in accepting that pro-
position. 1t seemed to him that the Mo-
zarters ought to support that bill, seeing
that their platform as regards West Vir-
ginia's third is in exact unison with that
measure. The McCulloch bill will not only
bring the payment OF interest within the
annual surplus Of from 100000 to S400,000
in the Treasury every year. 1t was say
ing of per cent. on $50, 200, 900 every year.
By simple calculation, to be exact, $780,
600; and in the first ten years, SS,400, 900.
Was not that worth trying? The bill was
an outcome Of the great readiusting senti-
mept Of the State. The speaker showed
clearly that by the operation Of the McCul-
loch bill at the end of ten years an amount
equal to one fourth OF the whole debt would
be saved. When the debt question should
be settled, the Interest being met promptly,
there would be a reduction in the rate Of
taxation, and however small that might be it
would produce good effect. People would
come into the State and property would 40,
vance; and as a property-holder he hopea
the condition Of things would be suca as
to REQUIRE an increase Instead OF dlmlnu.
ton in the assessment OF lands in 1880. 1t
would encourage immigration for the
stranger to see our lands valued at some.
thing, and he hoped to see the days return,
which be remembered, when taxes were
only twenty cents on the $780,.
General Field spoke for an hour and
quarter, and had the quiet and earnest at
tention of the large crowd throughout.
Coming from an adjuster Of the Readjust-
ers, his speech was calculated to do great
deal OF good.
Captain John. Paul then followed in his
usual popular style. he is speaker who
always, commands the attention Of an Au-
gusta audience, because they give him credit
for at least an honest opinion, however err
roneous it may be. He made good speech
for his side Of the questionable same he is
making everywhere, however, and there
fore familiar to many Of your readers; but
though he excelIed himself In this effort, 1t
had less effect upon the audience thanat any
pscricus time that he has spoken here. He