The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-03-04
rs,e History of the Hess Hamilton
Substitute.
|, flf Editors of the DiSpdtch;

rs,s History Of the Ross Hamilton
Substitute.
n Hs Editors Of the Dispatch;
RICHMOND, Va, March 9, 1880.
A am about leaving this city for nv
home. in Northampton county, i think 1t
M, inst 10 myself aud others to state my
Connection with the Hamilton debt bill. |
hsd been Informed that II was the earnest
desire on the part OF nearly all the colored
oSoohlican members OF the LEGISLATURE to
present proposition for The settlement or
fssd,nstmeut OF the public debt OF Vir-
o;nis that would be acceptable TO the peo-
Sls and jns; 10 the bondholders. The
antcome Of this often expressed wish
wss The Hamilton bill. The following
colored Republicans met time aud again-l
should saw six times or oftener-and en-
,busissfjcaliy agreed upon the above mea-
sure. and unanimously requested the Hon.
Ro.s Hamilton to act for them in repro
sentipg their views in presenting this
hin in the House Of Delegates as the Re-
nuhlican plan Of readjustment or settle
ment OF the yexed debt question. The
members above alluded to are Hon. Robert
Morton. House OF Delegates, York county,
Va: Hon. T.. ID. Bland, House OF Dele
gates. Prince George county, Va; Hon.
George Cole, Essex county, Va; Hon. Lit
Teton owens, Princes Anne county, Va. {;
Hon. w. ID. Evans, Prince Edward county,
Va: Hon. johnson Collins, Brunswick
county, Va; Hon. Archer Scott, Nottoway
county. Va: Hon. Ross Hamilton, Neck
lenbuig county. va.
Mr.. Paige, OF Norfolk county, under
Standing the principal features OF the bill,
emnbaticallv endorsed il; but owing TO the
illness of his Guild could not be present per-
sonaiiy. but sent frequent messages by the
Hon. Littleion Owens and others that be
was in hearty accord with them; end fur
therrpore, stated in my presence 10 Hon.
PosS Hamilton that he fully endorsed the
hin and wonid act most cordially with the
other Republicans in fsvoring it. Senator
IN. NoIt0B, at a meeting TO which Gene
raj VI, G.. Wickham had been invited To ex-
plain the details OF the till, heartily en-
dorsed the whole measure, and advise his
colleagues 10 stand Oy II
The bill appeared 10 me an eminently
iair one, honorable alike TO the State and
boudbUldeis. No compromise can be Just
one 10 which all concerned are not consent
ing psrties. This being my view, entered
heartily and cordially into the contest, feel
ing that the adoption OF such measure,
emanatlng from Republicans, and particu-
larly colored Republicans. would be
crown OF glory to them, and subject OF
pride in the future, and advised them to
give il their warm support. The salient
features OF the bill are reducing the in
terest on the bonds to per cent, run
ming forty years. and making the cou-
pOns non on.reesiyable for schooliaX. The for
mer pIoyision would have saved the
State s1S,0OO,0OO in forty years, and CON-
mepded itself to The Rtadiusters as being
almost identical with the plan proposed by
General Malone, aud which was the plat
form upon which the Rea0iusters had been
elected 10 the Legislature. The latter made
the bill peculiarly acceptable 10 co!Qred Re-
pubcaDs, as il made the public free schools
safe beyond any peradyenture-the school,
tax bsiDg payable in cash money. And being
maintained as Il separate and distinct fund
from any other relieved me from any ap-
prehenSiOn OF lis being mislppropriatcd by
any qgasi.leesl construction OF the Consul
tulion and laws.
As to the conduct OF these gentlemen,
after tbeir repeattd assurances OF approba-
ton Of this bill. and their frequent pledges
10 escb other in their numerous caucuses
on The subject, aud their promises to Others.
Is matter that leave altogether with what
they deem 10 be their duty to the Common
wealth aud TO their constituents. / have
given the above facts as they occurred, and
(Which make affidavit, feeling that this
Is, 70 certain extent, a matter OF the his
tory OF our State, which should be thor
oughly understood by the people both now
and hereafter.
lsgnedl p. j. CARTER.
Sats Of gryiniq, city Of Richmond-to
rn:
Personally appeared before me. 4. Atkin-
SOD, notary public in and for the city OF
Richmond, State aforesaid, Peter j. Carter,
and made oath that the statements contained
IN the foregoing writing are true TO the best
Of bis knowledge and belief.
Given under my band and official seal this
I'd day OF March, 1880.
lsignedl T. ATKINSON, Mp.
desired the above views OF Mr.. Peter j.
Carter, not In justification OF my course,
because that is matter with my own con-
@ienee and sense OF public duty, but 10 let
Toe people OF the State, and more particu-
nfy those OF my own race, know in as pub
ne manner as possible that i acted with the
sdFiee and with tue cooperation OF my col
Ieagues OF my own race and party in pre-
sehting 10 the House OF Delegates the bill
kuown as the Hamilton bill; that it not
only expressed my own but their sentiments
as welt nor didthey even do me the justice
OF eA'end 70 me the courtesy after chang
lne Melr views 10 again meet in caucus, and
make known their change OF mind to me.
4 VIII also state that i fully believe the
provisions Of the bill ore in accord
Win ihe platform OF principles of the
nrst and only Readjusters' Convex
uVn 'bat ever met Ia this State-viz.,
,ae one at Mozart Hall, at which Senator
Asnone pledged bimseii as being entirely
opposed 10 reducing the principal OF
we cebf, and advocating 3 per cent. i'm
eie'I, practically the same as presented by
NE II Is also source OF satisfaction for
Me 10 slate that Senator Cepbas Davis,
Islftsfnting my county In the State Senate,
ssrefo vi itii me and his other colleagues, aud
esuied myself and others that he was most
.nphsiicaIiy opposed 10 any reduction Of
NE Ifincipal OF the debt, and was iu favor
|opS cent. interest on the whole amount
"l'e funded debt, running forty years.
pselerai w. e.. Wickbam and Colonel
"Hlam Towpes viii cheeriully confirm
hsnl.
lslgnedl Ross HAMILTON.