The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-08-21
The Barbour and the McCulloch Bills.


of the VIRGINIAN very interesting and
instructive letter from Capt. r. I. Barton,
of Winchester, comparing the results which
would have been reached under the Bar
bour Bill and those that will be consum-
mated under the McCulloch Bill. This COM
parison is opportune and appropriate, for
those of our Re-adiuster friends who dc not
think the McCulloch Bill will accomplish
such an adjustment Of the debt as they
would wish, announce their adhesion to the
Barbour Bill. They can see from a careful
reading of the presentation of Mr.. Barton
precisely what results each bill would pro-
duce, and can then determine for them
selves whether it is better to accept the Nc
Culloch Bill, which seeks a definite and
final settlement of the question, or still
strive for the enactment of the Barbour
Bill, which would be only a temporary eX-
pedient, under which the debt would continue
to increase, and final reputation be forced
upon the State.
Mr.. Barton has treated the question he
discusses with much more simplicity and
ability than does the address of the State
Central Committee, published last week.
His letter has the further virtue of resting
solely upon the merits of the issue dis
cussed, ignoring all appeals to party and all
false pretenses as to party identity with the
measure he favors. He addresses himself
to the issue as Virginian, anxious to
reach the truth, and effect a settlement
in the interests of the people, and so
tersely and intelligently presents the facts
as to enable every careful reader to under
stand them. Had the Committee discharged
the duty they assumed in the same spirit,
and not as partizan zealots, more respect
would have been commanded for their la
bors, and better feeling inspired throughout
the State. Mr.. Barton treats the matter as
above party, in which the people OF Virginia
are interested. and claims no more nor less
than the naked truth is entitled to. He de-
ponds upon official figures to sustain his
conclusions, and approaches the people with
due respect for their intelligence and pa
triotism. 1t is pleasure to read and study
such paper, especially after examining the
partizan production of the Committee, and
their perversion OF facts Justify the appre-
priation of property that did not belong to
them.
We commend the article from Mr.. Bar
ton to the careful attention of cur readers.
Il appears that Mr.. Tilden, through agen-
cies peculiar to himself, has gotten control of
the State Committee of his party in New
York, and is thus in position to defy Kelley
and Tammany. At one time majority
of the committee was against him, but recent
ly, two or three of them were converted to his
interest, and he will now control the situa-
ton. Mr.. Tildens in fact. is quietly aud eff
fectiyely working for the Democratic nomi-
nation for the Presidency. and from present
indications will get it. And why not2 With
out him, his party would have no issue. The
alleged fraud of 1876. by which his friends
figured that he was cheated out Of the Pres
idency, could not enter into the canvass I'M
less Mr.. Tilden represented it. To abandon
him would be to abandon the charge, and
without that the party would have no pre-
text even for a contest. So it may be put
down as certain IS any future event can be,
that Mr.. Tilden will be sbe nominee, and his
assumed wrong the issue. We will then see
what the American people think about the
natter and the verdict they will render. We
think it quite likely that the fraud will be |
coated on Mr.. Tilden's side of the house, |
Ind that instead of coming within one vote |
If being President, an honest ballot would
lave left him out by 100 electoral votes.
The Dispatch seeeas to have special
pite against Mr.. Massey, and hslabors him,
very day or two, terribly. Mr.. Massey vii /
become very popular in Virginia it this
hing continues, Give Us little vigorous,
Masculine argument, Mr.. Dtspaicb. and not
10 much scolding and whining.
Mr.. John R. Hubbard, prominent lum-
YER merchant of Wheeling. W.. Va, ard
ast year Republican candidate for Congress
\ that district, committed suicide, in Hamp-
hise county, while on a fishing expedition,
Y shooting himself through the head. lie
ad been respondent for some months.
Gen. Rees I. Bowen. ex member OF Con-