Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1879-03-04
Our Richmond Letter.
RICHMOND, March ], 1870.

AL WTIte, Inc nOUI VI '"i"h'b"' "P
breaches. All the day long we have
vvreetled over the great issue involved in
the Debt Compromise Bill. On Thurs
day I offered my amendment to post
pone the operation of the bill until the
fret of next January and to submit the
Question TO u vote Of the people at the
November election. The new legisla-
tuye could then repeal the bill before the
funding of bond on 1t, If the people
should vote against its adoption. This
has, since Friday, been the pending is
sue before the House. Mr.. Motiett, of
Rockingham, had punctured the bill at
q point heretofore invisible, showing
that the ten year term at per cent.
was actually no ten year term at all, but
that q bondholder could actually hold
back his consol bond one, two or three
years end collect his interest at por
cent. and then fund for the remainder of
the term at 3. He moved to require the
ten year term Of each bond to commence
with the semi-annual period from which
each bond was funded, so as to secure 10
years at 3 per cent. on each and every
bond. This WAS defeated by vote Of
SO to Sc.
This morning the friends of the bill
attempted to gag debate by reporting Il
reeolution to limit debate TO Is minutes
speeches and to require vote on the
bill at 1890 tonight Those Of us who
believe We have 10 right to yoke this
State with another tax-receivable cou-
pom, and who also believed there were
features Of the bill too important and
perhaps too dangerous to be rushed over
hastily, determined not TO be gagged,
and as there was clear majority against
us, we had to resort to tactics to prevent
1t. We proposed to them the fullest,
faircst and frankest discussion Of the bill
and to abide the result. They rejected
all the offers of the kind. Evidently
they felt they had majority then and
were unwilling to rely on their ability 10
retain 1t under the calcium light Of am-
pie discussion. True they said 1t might
run over the edge Of the session and fail
for want Of time. But We were not
willing to have this great measure has
tened through the dark, when a full
light might show II worthy of death.
So the day was lost In fllibustering,
and not until o'clock tonight did we
reach the bill again.
The enemy were beaten in i've hour
engagement of the utmost desperation.
They folded their arms, resumed their
seats, and had to submit TO light, If that
did mean delay. What all this may end
In l can only guess. AT present the
hour that designatcs the Sabbath Is close
upon us. But heated battle In legisla-
tlon knows no sabbath. An all night
session ia indicated. We will fight
through to the ringing Of the church
bells tomorrow before we will let this
bill be forced upon the people of this
State for near half century, without
the consent Of the people ut the polls
II We can have time, believe we shall
carry my amendment-to let the people
vote OH II.
Our Speaker, Judge Allen, is against
us, and several Of our other friends are
now aligned with those who are not
willing to let the people say whether the
10 eceignty of Virginia shall he p SEED
over for 40 years with the dishonoring
coupon. This has been the hardest fight
l have ever engaged IN, At times II
seemed MS though there would be per-
sonal hostlities on the floor of tire
House. | have addressed the House ut
length on my amendment and the one
offered by Mr.. ho1ett, but | have no
time now TO report them.