Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1879-03-01
LETTER FROM VIRGINIA.

Editor Register-Perbaps some of
your readers would like to hear word
sometimes from the old Smother State"
Some of them do not read Virginia pa
pers, and perhaps few of them are aware
of the struggle that is going Oh in the
Old Dominion-a struggle that is shak-
ing her very foundations and wrenching
every nerve and fibre in her body. 1T
is the topic OF the day-everywhere the
all-absorbing question is, chow shall we
pay the State debt?' Men do not ask
now, ''shall we pay it? but show shall
we pay it, Republication is not talked
of now. Virginians could rot do that,
but they do talk of readjustment. The
counties have held meetings and APP
pointed delegates to attend readjust-
ers' convention to be held at Richmond
on the 25th instant. What the result
will lie remains to be seen. The people
have seen that something must be done
and done Immediately. The bondhold.
ers have agreed to readjust the interest.
or to put it at a much lower rate, and
to extend the time for the payment Of
these bonds. There seems 10 be no
other way. 1t is certain that something
must be done, for it's simply impossi-
bic for q State that cannot raise money
enough to run lis own government 10
pay the enormous debt that Virginia
owes. Last Thursday there was only
$4,000 in the treasury, and the State
had to borrow money to meet expenses.
1t is all very well to talk of paying eve
rything, &c, but how? BY increased
taxation7 Why it is hard matter for
the treasurers to collect the taxes now,
and would it not be far worse if they
were increased? No; the people, pow
erty stricken as they are, cannot bear 1t.
1t is sad fact that The people Of pr-
gini0, as mass, are poorer to-day than
they Wfre when the rar closed. / say
it without fear Of contradiction, and any
one who will take the trouble TO look
into the matter will find that am right.
Now, in the name of humanity, | ask
can they bear the burden of double tax
es Gor they would have to be doubled
to pay this debit! God knows how it
will all end. 1t is pitiful sight to see
the old "Mother' in her agony. She
who was wont in the olden time to
wear on her calm brow the chaplet OF
Peace, but now, alas the thorny crown
of affiiction is upon her, and her royal
robes are exchanged for the torn gar
ments of poverty Her very heart torn
by the struggle-the struggle OF power
ty against principle and honor. Thous-
ands afar off are watching the conflict
and fierce and long though it be, she
will come out all right in the end.
l said that the people are poorer to-
day than they were when the war
closed The question may be asked,
why is this SO? / do not know. Per-
haps it is bad management partly, and
partly for want Of capital. The farmers,
for instance, are poorer, and it takes
but little knowledge to tell what is lack
ing with them. Travel through any
country in the tidewater region, aud
when you see farm in nice order, good
barns, good fences, &c, ask who lives
there, and in nine cases out OF ten you
will find that he is a newcomer-some
one who has bought poor land, improv-
ed it and made money. The great enc
my to the farmers is "old togyism.
They UiH stick to the old ruts, raisin G
little wheat, a little corn, little to-
bacco, and losing little money every
year. They wM moi raise grass. They
,OiN not improve their stock, and. the
consequence is they and their stock and
their farms are degenerating every year.
But they won't believe it. What we
want is few good, stirring, active far,
mers in every neighborhood. Men who
will bring brains and little money
with them. The lands are good. easily
worked and easily improved, and gerry
cheap.
Our Legislature adjourns on the 4th
of March, if they do not decide to ex-
tend the session, which is very proba
BILE. They have been at work on con-
stitutional amendments.
| will mention for the benefit of the
breakers in your. State who are contiIl-
ually croaking over the evils of the
County Court system, that one of the
amendments proposed by the LegiSla.
ture is to do away with the office of
County Judge, and to return To the old
system as still used in your State.
A queer strike has occurred in our
neighboring city of Fredericksburg.
They have struck for cheaper water. 1t
must be more in demand than formerly.
When we used to 1--we there they didn't
have much use for it. However, they
have founded a new temperance order
there lately ("Sons OF .Sobriety'), and
water is more in demand.
Well, enough for this time
Respectfully, MEMO.
u. ~ a