The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-12-04
1+oyernor,s Message.

.
xue mini this morning the annual mes
sasa IS. the Governor OF Virginia TO tue
General assembly--sent In to that BODY
yesterday. -.
governor HOLIDAY stands firm upon MS
feet, as might have been expected. He lays
before the Legislature unimpeachabiie facts
and figures to prove beyond all room Tor
caysl that the McCuLLocH settlement was .
wise measure, aud that to carry 1t into iui'
onera,ion will be the best way--aay, tue
only way-in which this good old Common
wealth can be relieved OF her financial diE-
fcnlties and freed from all the embarrass'
men.s that result from those difficulties.
TIE Governor recalls to the minds OF the
members the fact that the McCULLoCH bill
was passed by large maiorities in be'h
houses OF the General Assembly after the
s-avest consideration and the most THOR
ouch discussion. He says the outside
world regarded It as fair and reasonable re-
adjustment; and he well asks why our peo-
ME should not accept 1t. He tells the lie
gislature that he regards the amount OF the
deb: as Of but little import compared VIII
the credit of Virginia. Here is a striking
remark, which it would be well for the peo-
pie OF Virginia to ponder:
1.-THE investment Of more taxes in such
q cause would yield a far greater revenue
than that invested in any war in which our
ancestors ever engaged for the vindication
OF The right, both IN the material develop
nent OF our resources, and the nardy, TO
bust. and honest growth OF our peoples
character"
Never were truer words spoken. That
increase, however, need not be resorted to
now saws the Governor. Nor ever, il the
3scCurLoCH settlement be perfected, ne
adds in substance elsewhere in his message.
The Governor next resorts to figures. he
quotes from his last annual message what
he said on this subject. he then gives
series Of official statements, or tables, con-
tairiug a large amount of valuable infor-
NATION concerning the debt, and showing
how under the MCCULLocH settlement the
entire interest could be paid without any
increase OF taxation. The reader will hnd
these tables elsewhere in our columns.
The Governor then considers the methods
OF adding to the revenue without any IN
crease OF the rate Of taxation; ana hnds
that the rigid enforcement OF the Monett-
register law would perhaps result in reve-
nue. from that source Of million OF dol
lars. On this point he quotes from letter
OF Judge GEORGE L. CHRISTIAN. Of this city,
who is, the Governor thinks, better able to
form an accurate opinion than amy other
man II, the State.
Next, the Governor expresses his BELIEF
that the present Legislature will economic
the resources OF the State, and provide for
the support Of government and the pubic
schools and "the payment OF the debt"
We quote:
"Whatever may be the views OF some,
feel that should the present funding bill by
any means be stopped in its execution 1t
would be great misfortune. 1t has been
regarded by the world as fair and hon
orable settlement between the Common
wealth and her creditors, and though the
funding under it has progressed with re-
markable rapidity considering the impede
ments that have been thrown in its way, we
have every reason to believe that had no
opposition been manifested, and its repeal
not been mooted, the bonds by this time
would have been well nigh all brought in
to be funded under its provisions"
The Governor can't believe that the Re-
adiusters will allow a wound to be inflicted
upon Virginia. We shall see.
The Governor concludes what ne had to
say on the debt question by an eloquent ap-
peal to the General Assembly.
The Governor then winds up his message
in short order, making brief references to
various matters-so brief that every reader
is referred to the message itself for what he
says on those topics.
The real people Of Virginia will applaud
their Governor for his frmness, consist
eney, honesty, and patriotism. They can
rest in the assurance that il harm comes to
the State it will not come with his assistance
or bis consent, nor without his having done
all that becomes true man to shield her
honor.
God save the Commonwealth.