Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-10-05

Poor Defense OF . bod Cause.
Senator Malone, the founder and leader Of
the readjuster party in Virginia addressed the
Union League Club Of New York last night-or
rather, some of the members Of the club-ou the
subject of the campaign In Virginia He made
use Of the occasion to defend his party and en-
deavor to explain it's relations to the state debt.
II his purpose was to relieve the readjuster
party of the faint of reputation, then his
hearers, representing leading business interests
Of the great American metropolis, will no doubt
pronounce il a failure. The Senator went back
20 the ante beltus period and gave the figures OF
the state debt then at 531 coo 600. which he said
mad increased to $4,000, 900 by the end of the
rebellion After referring to the creation of the
state of West Virginia from territory
and population belonging to the old
state and to the heavy burden of debt it left to
the latter, he said: THE first duty was to as
certain the true debt of the state. This was
acting on business stand point, or was follow
ing a business principle by business men. The
second duty was to ascertain how much the
people could pay In other words. after the
people of Virginia. the debtors, had ascertained
how much they owed. their (secOnd) duty
was for them, the debtors. to determine how
much they could pay. Nobody will deny that
this is a correct statement of readjuster prin-
cipIe. Business men" who maintain strict
rules of honor never concede to the debtor the
right to determine how much he is able to pay.
If there is any reduction or composition
the creditor must be represented in the
transaction, and it is because the read
juSters insist upon Yirginia's right to arbi-
trayly determine what proportion of
her debt she is able to pay that they tainted
with Reputation Senator Malone, after fur
Their reviewing the financial history of Virginia,
said: :: Our means of resources indicate con-
dtion to pay thirteen per cent, and we have
determined to fulfill it." He also asserted that:
'West Virginia accepted one-third of the state
Ssbt. and we assumed two-thirds." West Vir-
ginia maintains that she has never accepted
One-third, and that she never WILL basing her
refusal to do so the ground that she got less
than one-fifth the population and but a snl
proportion of the public improvements for
which the original debt was contracted. and
that, therefore. she ought not to pay One-third
of the debt The state has prOfessed willing
ness to accept the same proportion of the debt
that she derived benefit therefrOm. However even
had West Virginia accepted One-thrd the re-
naming twO-thirds. taking the figures given by
Senator Mahone due from old Virginia would
be thirty-three and one-third millions. The re-
adjusters in the Riddleberger bill put the total
debt at less than $4,000 600. which is the diff
ference between the debt and what the debtors
decide to be their ability to pay.
Bloomington. one of the flOurishng cities of
Illinois. has set an example of lawlessness which
Is particularly to be deplOred Just now. Not
only did prominent and influential citizens sus-
tain the mob which lynched Pierce but they &C
cOrding TO the dispatches, joined in the cry that
Justice and the courts are a farce" This rash
act. committed in one of the greatest states of
the Union and in city distinguished for its free
schools. Will, because of these very facts and
surroundings, attract more attention and exer-
late frequently bOasted that under the most ag
grayating case that could occur. the shooting
down of a popular President by depraved and
cowardly assassin, this people suppressed their
Indignation and turned to the law for redress
1t is to be hoped that the courts which the
lynclers of Bloomington derided will have firm
ness and determination enough to handle the
mob as it deserves. no matter what may be the
wealth or distinction of the guilty ones. Moth
ing would SO quickly restore the feeling of re-
spect for the courts in that vicinity II the insti-
gators and particpators in this lawless act shall
find themselves promptly arraigned before the
courts they denounced as . farce to answer for
their misconduct it will exercise wholesome
influence
The Atlanta exposition was formally opened
to-day with large attendance and under prom
lei - A.