National Republican., 1880-03-16
Collector of Customs for Alaska
MARCH 13, 1880
The Virginia Debt Question.
hLhNANDHiAi 'llTCh iot looU.
To The Editor of The National ReOa5iicdn:


| To the Editor of The National Republican,:
SIR: The Rev Mr.. Massey, OF Albcmare
called by the newspapers P.rsou Ma sscy by
way of iniuring him, hut who, il ho Is n
preacher, Is really q smart business man. who
was elected First Auditor of Virginia by the
Readjustcrs of the last General Assembly, ad.
dressed the people of Alexandria on Saturday
night mt Sarepta Hall, making II very full
| statement of the resources and revenues of the
| State lIo shovel most COnClusivcly that un.
der the MCCuloch bill to pay the expenses
| of government, support the public schools aud
pay the interest on tho public debt would be
impossible. lie gave tho reasons why the Re.
adiustcrs would oppose that settlement and
would continue to do so and why thcy desire
u settlement that provides for the eXpen sea of
the State government, plblc schools and II
sufficient balance to pay to tho holders
Of tho public debt without Increasing the
taxes beyond tho fifty cents ON the dollar,
which both parties say is aI they can stand.
His statements were most conclusive, lie
said it would all como right, however, in good
time; that previous to the next General Assem-
bly, tho people of tho States would be fully
posted on this subject, and find ont who
was right and who was wrong, and would
doubtless send suitable men TO Richmond to
settle these questions forever. He produced 4
copy OF the certificates provided by the prOvis
ions of the MCCuloCh bill, which, if sufficient
dInouut was lOJ III Jhe treasury 10 pay inc lh'
tercst, was to be issued by tho first auditor and
sold by him at not loss than seventy.iivc cents
on the dollar to make up any deficiency OF in.
forest. These certificates were to be received
at par for taxes, losing, of course, twenty-five
per cont. Oh the dollar most outrageous pro.
vision, which. of course instead of reducing
the debt would increase it to fearful amount
II must be borne in mind that It WAS
denied that it was the intention OF the
auditor to avail himself of this provision,
but yet u large number were printed to be
Issued. The following is copy of one of the
certificates which was Autographed at Rich
mond and for which II claim for tho payment
is now before tho Assembly:
NoN.TAXABLE,
RICHMOND, December /. ls7D-lhe Common
wealth of Virginia is indebted TO the bearer I'm the
sum Of one dollar This certificate is issued under
the act Of March 2S, 1879, entitled An act - pro-
vide plan Of settlement Of The public debt" T. 70.
Cpyablc for all taxes, debts, dues and demands
due the State. No. 2OGiiSO.
R NJ. T. HUNTER, Treasurer
W. i. TAYLOR, Auditor.
Now, rs regards Virginia lilcally, 1t may
be well enough to say that IL tho candidates
for President should bo Grant aud Tildon,
General Grant will unqucstionabiy carry Nir.
ginin All the cvidenGrs look that way. The
Democracy would do all they could to prevent
it, but the fact Is, tho people generally are
tired of being on the minority TO satisfy f0w
COpperheads and 3Ourb1ns,and are awaiting IN
opportunity to make 4 now departure which
thoy will surely take the first chance thoy
have. If tho disruptiOns should bring about
a better state of affairs ii will be all the
better. ALEXANDRIA,