The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-09-25

obligations could be met without Increasing
the taxes. and that surplus OF from two to
our hundred thousand dollars would be left
over every year.
General Field closed with an Impressive
peroration, in which he quoted the language
OF Ruth, in describing his devotion to his
native State, and as he took his seat, the
court room resounded with applause.
CAPT. JOHN PAUL
came next, and from all sides OF the build
| ing rose the shouts of 'Rah for Paul" HIS
admirers, though in the minority, were by
no means abashed, and made up in noise
what they lacked in numbers. It's one OF
Paul's peculiar characteristics as an orator
that he inspires his followers with wild
desire to make themselves heard, and II ne
addressed himself to a single individual who
aged with him on the subject discussed, that
individual would never believe that he had
done himself full justice unless an opportu-
nifty had been offered of giving one or TWO
round, ringing shouts. Our people had often
heard Paul before, but it is but simple justice
to say, that his effort OF Monday last was by
| far the best ever made before an Augusta au-
dcene. He was in excellent trim and the
generous reception accorded made him feel
thoroughly at ease. His good sense enable
him to fully appreciate the character OF ms
hearers, and eliminating from his speech the
more extreme views and extravagant ideas.
H. h ;.,,eolf d;root1v n subject
under consideration.
He commenced by taking up Gen'l Fields
idea about raising the asse ssments, and said
that this was sly way the McCulloch men
had of preparing for an increase OF taxation.
1t was fraud to talk about putting ficti-
cious value on property, when as evidenced
by the recent sales in Stanton and Augusta
County. one Of the most prosperous sections
in the State, real estate was being dlspo ed
of at far less than its present assessment.
The true basis for the computation OF
values, was the net profit derived from
investments. TO arrive at a just and fair
estimate of the States ability to pay, the
gross returns should be taken, the cost OF
production and cost OF living be deducted,
and the remainder would represent what
should be considered as the resources Of the
State. He believed the people Of Virginia
were honest and would pay all they could;
no repudiator among them had ever met
with success. They woald willingly meet
their just obligations, and all that they asked
was the preservation OF their own life. It
was no disgrace to Virginia that she had
sought to readiust her public debt. No State
in the Union, except Massachusetts, rested
under the burden that now we ighs Virginia
to the EARTH All OF her Southern Sisters
had readjusted their obligations, and Vir-
ginia alone is to be held up and made the
prey of brokers and harpies. Arkansas with
$37, 900, 900 had cut it down to 81, 750, 900. 1t
may be said that this debt accumulated
under carpet. bag government. If that ar
gument holds good, Virginia should be re-
lieved of everything but the original debt,fo
no State ever yet had carpet Dagger tie
equal of Gilbert G. Walker. Loud APPLAUSE
Florida reduced her debt from $15,000,0C0
to$1, 750, 900; Georgia from $50, 100000 to $40,
500, 900; North Carolina from $2S, 900, 900 to
100000; South Carolina from $31 1000, 900
to $6,0OO,0O0; Texas from sl4,O0O,0O0 to
$1,000, 900; Alabama from $4,000, 900 to ST.
100000; Tennessee from $l4,00O,000 to
81 ZOO, 900, and yet when Virginia talks OF
knocking off some of the int rest that has |
been capitalized upon the cry of repudia- |
ton is raised. 1t was the politicians and OF |
flee holders, aided by the newspapers, which |
would always be found on the money side, |
that were bowling so loud for the honor OF |
Virginia, but the people were on the right |
side, and as long as he had the people |
with him he was satisfied. Virginia could have |
gotten favorable terms of settlement had |
not the Governor cast his fortunes with the |
creditors and against the people. The high
the report of the Auditor, the revenues of T
the State would meet the demands of the |
McCulloch bill. The speaker contenGed |
that the Auditor had falsfied those reports |
by commission and omission, and that no |
reliance could be placed on them at all. He |
then went on to show that an increase of
taxation would be necessary to meet the OBJ |
legations Of the State, and that the creditors
had wisely provided aga inst any inconveni |
ence by that increase, in making their invest
would be left to languish, if the provisions OF
the present law were carried out, and the
Henkel bill would fail utterly to maintain
them. He had sought to secure the ten cents
to the schools under any circumstances, but
his opponents cried out that that would des-
troy the harmony of the measure. II the
McCulloch bill was repealed at the next ses-
sion, it would be substituted by law that
would be free OF obnoxious features and
leave the State to its own control. Mr.. Paul
closed by depicting in glowing colors the
immense advantage the owners of the Vir-
ginia bonds would have over the farmers
and property holders Of the State, and then
turned around and drew doleful picture OF
the unfortunate condition of orphans whose
funds had been invested in these public Sc
crlrities.
Throughout, his speech was wanting in
logic, connection and facts, but it abounded
in good hits, specious arguments and we'll
pointed appeals, and at times created gen.
uine enthusiasm. Much of it was addressed
to the colored men in the gallery, and anus
ed them no little, as their frequent shouts
testified, and when he concluded it looked as
if he had thoroughly convinced the last one
of them.
SAMUEL NJ PAGE
OF Manchester, was next introduced. Mr..
Page had been heralded as the man who had
demolished Paul at his own game 10 eastern
Virginia, and as he advanced to the pulpit
the court room echoed and reechoed with the
widest yells. He stated that at the eleventh
hour he had been called upon to supply the
place of Maj Stringfellow, in addressing an
Augusta audience, and then launched forth
into a series of anecdotes. which set the
crowd in blaze of enthusiasm, and COM
pletely destroyed the effects of Paul's speech
SO far as the negroes were concerned. His
Is IL tl>