The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-02-27
The Re-Adiusters' Convention.

rary chairman, and P. Ii. McCaull, of Pu-
laski, temporary secretary. On motion Of
James Barbour the roll of counties was
called, when representatives from forty re-
sponded. The delegates from Augusta are
D. N. Vanlear, w. FL. Peyton, and ]. Au-
gustus Niche. [Mr. Niche is a citizen Of
Albemarle and his name in this connection
must be mistake of the reporter OF the
State, from which paper we gather these
facts. Albemarle-J. Howard Smith, r.
G. Crank, A. H. Gentry, ]. b. Harden, j.
Townley, VIM. Fl. Wood, Jas. w. Durrett,
Ira G.. Wood, O. W.. Purvis, F. Durrett, j.
P. Mann, R. W. Bailey, John Edmonds, NJ.
Clark, G. w. GARRISON, Joseph NJ. Wright,
Rev. j. E. Massey, c. c. Massey. William
II. Broadhead, James Il. Marshall, j. S.
Harris. Rockbridge-J ames A. Frazier,
John B. Lady. Rockingham-I. j. Woods,
Jno. F. Crawn, j. T. Hopkins, Henry Sipes,
NJ. NJ. Sibert and John Paul. Shenandoah
H. H. Riddlebarger, and David Maphis.
Gen. VIM. Malone and Hon. Fayette Nc
Mullen are among the delegates.
A committee on permanent organization
was appointed, with two members from
each Congressional District. The Seventh
District was represented by 1. J. Wood and
W. G. Jones. ten.
The committee, through their Chairman,
Gen. Malone, reported the permanent Off
GERS of the CONGRATULATIONS Walden, of
New Kent county, president, and G. NJ.
Weber, of Roanoke, Secretary, and the
members of the press present. Among the
Vice Presidents are Gen. VIM. Skeen,' of
Allegheny, and Jared Hopkins, Of Rock
ingham.
On motion OH H. Rddlebarger, com
mittee on business was appointed, which
was to report at four O'Clock on the even ing
of the 25th.
Speeches were made daring the day by the
temporary and permanent presidents Gov.
McMul.en and DR.. Scott.
According to the report in the State to ere
are twenty colored men as delegates.
The State Senate adjourned to give the
members who desired to attend the Re- adj
busters Convention an opportunity to do so.
The Convention re-convened at O'Clock.
Several speeches were delivered, among
them one from Gen. Malone who presented
his views Of the question at considerable
length.
He claimed that all measures heretofore
adopted for the settlement of the States indebt-
edness pointed to absolute Reputation, a result
he did not wish. He was opposed to the PROPOSE
ton now pending before the Legislature, as such
legislation would neoessitate increase Of taxa
ton. The people were paying as high a rate now
as they can pay He saw nothing to Justify set
Element at rate higher than three per cent. for
forty-fve years He was opposed to the tax
ceivable feature Of the proposed settlement as
impracticable, and not within the power Of the
Legislature to consummate. He favored absorb
ing all the States to pay its indebtedness
after deducting the necessary expenditures for
frugally administering the State government and
supporting the public schools. He spoke in
strong terms OF the ungenerous and unjust as
saults made against those who favored such re-
adjustment.
The convention determined to print 10 900 cop
les OF Gen. Nahones speech for distribution.
The committee on business submitted report
IOflu VI stuuftSS " lue peOPio VA vigil
ia reviewing the course OF the re-adjusters during
the past few years to affect a settlement of the
debt, setting forth the condition Of the fiscal at
fairs ofthe State, expressing Willingness to do
everything reasonable looking to a final settle
ment &C., and concluding with series of declara-
lions to the effect:
First.-That Virginia fully recognizes her Just
liability for her fair proportion Of public debt
contracted before her territory was divided.
second.-That Virginia can never recognize la
bilty for that portion of the debt which should
attach to West Virginia.
Third.-That in any settlement with the States
creditors the annual interest OF recognized in
| debtedness must be brought within her revenues
under the present rate OF taxation.
Fourth.-That the capacity of these revenues to
meet such interest must be determined by de-
Quoting therefrom the necessary expenses of the
government the apportionment to the schools
| and reasonable appropriation for the support OF
charitable institutions of the State.
Fifth-That these institutions should be care.
fully ascertaned and guarded so as to in no event
allow the primary obligations of the government
and people to be subordinate to any other de-
| mands whatever.
sixth.-That settlement within the limitation
designed is the utmost stretch OF peoples ability
to pay and should be satisfactory to the creditor
Seventh.-That any settlement, to be final, must
rest on the sovereignty of the State and find its
best security in the good will and good faith and
honor of the people Of Virginia.
Eighth.-That the sovereignty OF the State can
not be pledged or delegated except for public
service, and when so pledged or delegated is at
any time revocabe by the Legislature.
Ninth.-That any selfexecuting lien upon pub
| lie revenues, such as is given by tax-receivabe
coupons, is against public policy and degrading
to the State and people.
Tenth.-That no Discrimination between cred
itors can be made or sanctioned by the State in
any REIMBURSEMENT that may be contaminated.
Eleventh.-That Virginia should deal directly
and frankly with her creditors, and shonld never
place either their claims or her revenues and
obligations in the hands ofinterme daries who are
| not completely under her control and direction.
Twefth.-That all exemptions from taxation
not authorized by the constitution are intolera-
BILE, and cannot be afforded in the present condl-
ton of the State finances.
Thirteenth.-That the rate OF taxation is as high
as can be borne, and instead of entering into an
undertaking that may necessitate an increase OF
taxation dimnution of public burdens should
be provided for.
Fourteenth.-That public free schools should
be protected and sustained to the fullest extent.
Fifteenth.-Reform and economy should be en-
ergetcally pressed in the administration OF az
fairs in State and county.
Sixteenth.-The full recognition OF these prin-
ciples and declarations by the people of Virginia
and her creditors is absolutely essential to any
| amicable re-adi ustment, and no re-adjustment in
which theysor any of them shall have been neg
lected can be final, certain and satisfactory.
The report was accompanied by a plan for
thoroughly organizing the re-adiusters' party
throughout the State.
The report, whole was unanimously
adopted.
After several speeches the convention adjourn
ed until ten O'Clock yesterday. when State exec
utive committee viii be appointed and details OF
| q plan of organization be effected.
Partizan Necessity.
The Washington correspondent of the
New York Times of the Dist says
| The House to-day decided the Finley Bisbee
contest ed election in favor OF the Democratic
contestant, Mr.. Finley. Messrs. Turney and
Mackey, of Pennsylvania, were the only two DEM