Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1881-06-14
THE PLATFORM.

Mr.. L. Il. Harvie, Chairman Of Com
mittec on Resolutions and Platform, said
that the committee reported upon the
resolution with singular unanimity, and
presented them to the Convention for it,
concurrence.
The Readjusters of Virginia, in con-
vention assembled, affirm that the work
Of their organization for two years has
been such us to commend itself to the
majority of Virginia taxpayers, whose
voice spoke them into authority in the
the legislative department and over the
Capitol and other officers In 1879. They
affirm that the fruits Of that triumph Of
the people over such immense difficult
ties rs then confronted them should be
preserved; that within two years they
have averted the threatening peril Of IN
creased taxation; that they have success
fully met and answered the aspersions Of
eight years upon the character and fame
of the Commonwealth and her people,
and have completely restored to her the
acknowledgement Of the "oulside world"
of her just claim to superiority rs n faith
preserving State over those who have
been chief among the assailants and de-
famers; that they have brought back 10
the Virginian mind the once dccp-root-
ed and fundamental conviction that
State Constitution fixes the limit Of leg
islative power and must be respected;
that the sovereignty resides with the
people and cannot be alienatcd; that
government Is not supported by force,
but depends upon free will; that the
great deslderatum and governing princi-
pie should be the least government con-
slstent with the preservation Of order.
the protection Of life, liberty, and prop
crty, and this at the least possible cost
to those who must pay taxes for It's sup
port; that they have developed frauds
and defaults IN the management of the
public revenues and public institutions
aggrogating over 20 per cent Of the
gross revenues of the state for any one
year; that they have opened 1901 public
schools for five months as against 2,jOl
for the year previous, with terms Of
three months, and have paid much of
the diverted funds to the colleges and
humane institutions; that they have rol-
leCtcd the revenues and have honestly
and oonstitutionally disbursed them
Upon this record they ask the continued
confidence of the people, aud this con-
yenton submits for their approval the
folio wing statement of principles and
purposes, which will continue TO guido
and inspire the Readiustcrs Of Virginia;
First. We recognize our obligation TO
support the lnstieltlon for the Deaf
Dumb aud Blind, the lunatlc nsylums,
public free schools, and the government
out of the revenues of the State, ana we
dcprocatc aud dcnounce that policy Of
ring rule and subordinate sovereignty
which for years borrowed money out Of
banks at high rates of interest for the
discharge of these paramount trusts,
while our revenues were left The prey Of
commercial exchanges, available to the
State only at the option Of spectators
aud syudlcatcs.
Second. We roasscrt our purpose 20
settle and adjust our State obligation on
the prlnclplcs Of the "bill 10 rceslablish
public crcdit.n known "a the "RIddle-
berger blll," passed by the last General
Assembly and vetoed by the Governor
We maintain that this measure recog-
lzcs the lust debt Of Virginia In tlls,
that II assumes twO-thirds OF nll ile
Virginia borrowed, and sets aside
tho other third to West Virginia 10 be-
dealt with by her In her own way and
ut hor own pleasure; that u places
those of her creditors who have received
but ak per cent lnstallments Of interest
IN nine ycars upon mn eXnCt equality
with those who, by corrupt agencies,
were eneblcd TO absorb and monopollzc
our means OF payment; that II agrees TO
pay such rate of interest on our secllrl-
ties rs can with certainty bemct out OF
the revenues of the State, and that u
contains all the essential features Of H.
nalty.
Third. We rcassert our adhcrancc to |
the constitutional requirement for The
"equnl and uniform taxation Of prop- |
erty, cXemptlng none except that specl-
fled by the Constitution aud used eXclu-
s'ycly for religious charitable, and edit !
purposes
Fourth. We rcnsscrt lhnt the para =
mount obligation Of the various works