The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-04-17
A Card from Mr.. Phlegar.
He ANSWERS MR.. FRAZIER AND DEFINES
HIS POSITION.


HIS POSITION.
CHRIsTIANBURG, Va, April 8, 1879.
Editors Of Tauey Firginian
DEAR SIR My attention has been called
to an article in q late issue of your paper
from Mr. James A. Frazier, of Rochbridge,
protesting to quote words read by me in
the Senate in explanation Off vote against
the Allen Amendment to the Debt Bill
The original paper from which l read was
written by me while the vote was being ia
ken on the amendment, contains every word
[ uttered on the occasion, and is now in my
possession.
VIII you be good enough to republish Mr..
Frazier's version, together with what | did
say, so that your readers may know what
credit to give Mr.. Frazier's article? From
a com parison it will be seen that with the
exception of the first and last sentences Of
his version, it does not contain three consec-
utive words uttered by me, although he pro-
fesses to quote my exact language.
said at Staunton and now say, THAT the
present revenue will pay expenses of gov
ernment, the constitutional requirements for
the public schools. the interest required by
| the Mccullough Bill, and leave a balance of
$3.50, 900 or $780, 900 to be applied to arrear-
ages" If the Allen Amendment should
in any unforeseen emergency be put into
practical operation, aud $l,300,000 of GER
tificares be sold to raise 1915, 1000, to pay one
years interest, Il only approximate the fig
ures,) the present revenue will not be suf-
ficient to redeem them. Both of these
propositions are susceptible OF mathematical
demonstration.
While with the advocates OF the amend
ment | hope it will never be necessary to
put it into practical operation, l was I'M
willing to engraft it, by my vote, into the
Bill. as saw no necessity for it and that it
might do harm. The majority differed with
me and thought that the assurance given to
the creditors by the amendment that the
State will pay the interest, will induce them
to refund their debts and thus benefit the
State, by aiding her in substituting three for
six per cent. obligations. The will and
voice of the majority l accept as the law,
and shall endeavor. as far as in me lies, to
sustain the bill and to indace the people of
the section in which live to sustain it, and
to send as representatives in the Legisla-
ture men who will by economy and fair
means, provide enough money in the Treas
ury to make unnecessary, single certifi-
cate under the Allen amendment.
Mr.. Frazier reports me as saying. II de-
sire to explain my vote and offer this,
my protest, to the Senate's agreeing to it.
was elected upon platform IN opposition
to an increase of taxation and as this bill,
with its amendments, would require and ne
cessitate heavy increase of the present
rate Of taration, I am compelled IN justice
TO myself and promises made ma constitu-
ents to cast my rote against the 0nend-
ment."
said : MIR. President-I desire to ex-
plain my vote for the amendment to the
amendment proposed by the Senator from
Richmond, (Gen. Johnson) because my rea-
sons are very different from those given by
him. ! think the Amendment proposed by
the House of Delegates is a wrong to the
State and not to the creditor; that it will
not force one coupon bond into the funding
process, but will force the State to increase
her taxation, without a corresponding ben
eft to the State. She must raise enough
revenue to meet the certificates, and yet for
500 Of certificates she receives but $75, with
it pays but SIS OF her indebtedness and OBJ
tains but six months respite. In other
words she pays interest at the rate of 81 per
cent. per month for the money thus raised.
l am unwilling by my vote to put the State in
that position and therefore vote for the
amendment to the mendment, and against
the amendment as proposed by the House OF
Delegates
Hoping "he would not desire to leave
false impression IN the minds of those who''
read his article, 81 deem it surely no injus-
tice to him. to make this exposure Of the
conflict between the statements 'sof my hon
ored young friend" and the real facts.
Yours truly,
ARCHER A. PHLEGAR.