Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1880-10-26
Senator Johnsonson's Speech at
Winston's Warehouse.

day evening had for its basis the assump-
tion that, for the time AT least, war could
not be waged against both Republicans
Ian and FGnderism. That, for the time,
we must abandon the attack on one and
concentrate against the ether. His next
position was that of the two, Republican,
ism was so infinitely more oppressive
and costly to the people that comparison
was ridiculous. He declared that the
dispute between the Funders and the
Readjusters was narrowed down to the
difference between the McCulloch bill
and the Riddleberger bill, and this he
declared amounted to only % cents each
per annum to all the people of Va. We
propose now to examine the fallacy Of
these figures and to show that Senator
Johnson's statement is one calculated to
mislead and misinform those who heard
1t. He assumed that the McCulloch bill
dealt with the debt Of 30 millions at 3
per cent, and that the Riddleberger bill
agreed to pay 90 millions at 3 per cent.
He also put the population Of Va at
1900, 900. Now we affirm that the Nc
Culloch bill was based on debt Of 81
millions at an average rate of more than
per cent, in 80 much as its bonds were
non-axable. That the Riddleberger
bill was near 10 millions at 3 per cent,
and the population of Va only shade
over million and half. We have not
the Rddleberger hill ut our touch at this
moment, but we know it to be less than
20 millions. The difference is $750,0OO,
or three fourths of O million of dollars
per annum to Va, and this sum divided
piakes 80 cents for each man, woman,
boy, girl and child and nal % cents as
the Senator declared. For the period Of
the McCulloch bill it would amount to
10 millions of dollars, nearly the hole
amount Of the State debt. The Senator
says this Ia u trillc. The burden Of his
argument was that the difference be-
tween the Funders and Readjusters was
one that could be paid with the value Of
two drinks Of whiskey, or two chickens.
He neglected to state that at even his
own grossly incorrect figures, the tax of
"a cents more would apply to that army
Of infants, minors and women who are
never taxed at all, besides those who are
now taxed already. He declared that
we had better pay the whole State debt
twice over than fail to get rid Of the in
ternal revenue on whlskey and tobacco,
which for Va. amounted TO SG.247. .263.
Two points occur TO us just here Gov.
Holiday In his message in which he sub
inits Hugh hcCulloch's proposition, de-
elAred that TO pay the State debt once
that Ia the whole interest Oh 1t, the rate
of taxation would have TO be advanced
to 90cte. Now TO double this would
raise our taxation from 80 cents, the
present rate, to $l.s0. And this the
Senator thinks we had better do than
pay the internal revenue tax. Again,
the Senator ought to know that the con-
sumer Of the tobacco and whlskey pays
the tax and as most Of the consumers
live beyond the State, the tax falls most
ly on people outside of Va. If this six
millions Of revenue tax had to fall on
the people Of Va. they simply could not
bear It. II would bankrupt the State,
A sufficient answer 70 this fallacious ar
gumcnt of the Senator Is found In his
own speech, where he declares the toriIf
on "slate pencils" and other more inn
portant things falls on these people Of
ours, who consume them. The idea that
IL falls on the producer across
the ocean did not once strike him In this
instance. oh, consistency thou art a
bird 40 rare that II is difficult TO put salt
on thy tail
The senator wns exceedingly severe
on the northern men like VIM. II. Van
derbilt, who invested IN non tdrdJle u
\. bonde, and he declared that Wander
bill pays less taxes than Mr.. s. i, Saul
of this town. This will surprise many
man who has read Of the largo amount
NJ real estate held by Mr.. Vanderbilt
But Why should man who wlsah orig
ilal advocate of the McCulloch bill, with
iie non tdJdblc bonds. make the point
that Mr.. Vanderbilt ought to pay taxes
60 his SovcrnnAnt bonds and not on
lila Va. bonds9 We are very much
afraid u VIM be along time before these
Fundcr orators Of ours In the South viii
MAX II possible for Democratic Prcsl-
dent hc elected. Tnis demand for.
taxation Of L. s. bonds will be II nice
card for us TO play Ia the coming str'lg-
glc for tho vote Of New York, New Jcr-
tey and Connecticut. Won't it2
rhc Senator'S argument for the taxa
tim Of Mrs. vandcrbilt's diamonds Is
enc We sholl not antogonlzc him on
Certainly We all agree that diamonds
ought In be taxed M well as potatoes,
hut Il Is news TO US that diamonds arc
not taxed by state laws. Of course nel-
ther diamonds nor Senator Johnstohs
nlhry arc taxed for federal purposes
The senator arraigucd the l'oadjnsl-
era for voting for II negro door-kccpcr
over n confederate manned eoldicr, FOR
getting evidently thnt he was at that mo-
mcnt speaking rs the subetiiute for Or
Monet, who was ono Of the men who