The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-01-26
The Deb, Question.


We-ase surprised TO had AT. is'p'i'h'
nsessR. or rather his paper, making sueh
mk,,a,rment as the following:
" the geadjusters said they would sea
an,ri one.,hird for West Virginia absolute
IL. ss.umipg no trus,etsaip or liability LOT
Il 6 ha,eyrr. On this the FuDders qu'0D'e
shost the Court OF Appeals having IN enec'
decided that each partner Of The ola nr"l
was liable for the whole debt. and they nus'
have respect for the courts. &c."
The above either has no meaning, or else
i, means that the flanders wish to no'd VIZ
GINA responsible for Yves; Virginia's por'
ton 81 the public debt of the TWO STATES
Let !, suffice for the prescn, to call Nj. KID
prges.ogR's attention to the following pro-
VISION OF the McCCLLocH bill:
THE acceptance OF the said certihcs.es
for West vlrginis's one third, 'ssued un.el
ms act, shalt be taken and heiu ~ iu'
and absolute release OF the state OF virginia
from all liability on account OF the SAL" GER
fifcatcs."
Now tina, the Supreme Couit OF the Unneu
States has decided that the funding act OF
1871 il n contract on the part OF the State
which she is bound by the Federal Cons,i'
tu;ion TO respect, the people will be able 10
understand that it was great mistake not
10 have accepted the terms OF the hcCUi<
1ocl, bill. Virginia paid last year more in'
tcrest IN coupons than the interest upon the
eni;le debt OF the State would have amounted
70 under that bill. We have gained nothing
by rejecting that settlement, aud are not
lkely TO gain anything. This last decision
OF the Supreme Court OF the United states
will result injuriously 10 the State in that 1t
will have a tendency TO make the bondbold-
ers les inclined 10 agree TO surrender their
old bonds for new ones. IL would be me
thing for the State II the Governor could
make a new contract under the MCCULLOCH
bin and have hat bill carried into fuli
effect. But IL cannot be done. The day
has passed for that contract TO be perfected.
Perhaps. however. Mr.. RIDDLEBSRGEE
and bis patty associates will, as law-abiding
citizens, quietly acquiesce in the decision
OF the Supreme Court OF The United states,
an1 cease their war upon the taX-Ieceivaole
COUPONS which that august tribunal says
are protected by The Federal Constitution.
II they live up to the spirit OF the platform
of their July Convention of last year they
will have TO do so-tbat j., II that platform
is no, less comprehensive than we suppose
il to be. It's language is Is follows:
Recognizing their obligation and pro.
claiming their intention TO support ana
obey the Federal and State Constitutions Is
the onlg sure projection of the civil and
political rights Il the citizen. and The only
safe bulwark against encroachment upon
the liberties Of the residuaries OF sovereign
" IN all popular governments, The Read
ju.ters ri crate tbeir purpose 10 yindlcate
ana maintain the constitutional right OF the
ctiztn 10 the exercise OF Il Tree and price.
les suffrage" &C., &c
TIE supreme Court Of the United States
declares that the Federal Constitution pro-
tees The coupons which the Rcadlusters
have been warning against. Now, let them
support that Constitution as they pledged
themselves TO do.