The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-10-06
The "state.s' endorsements.


able amount of ingenuity in avoiding the
points we presented in our last issue, re-
spending to criticism OF that paper upon
an editorial published in the vIRGIrIAN
some weeks ago. 1t adheres to its ground
less assumption that the fear of losing
that of every other Republican in the State
upon whom has been conferred a Federal
commission, when the real fact is that the
administration at Washington has in no way
to our knowledge, ever intimated to any
ofice-holder, who respects the proprieties
OF his position, that he was expected to sup
port this or that measure or this or that po-
litical faction in State affairs. The slate
President was as emphatic and distinct up
on this point as it was possible to be. He
positively and emphatically disclaimed all
intention to interfere, by the influence Of
official patronage in the political complica-
tions in Virginia. Whatever coloring may
have been given to different policy is sus-
ceptible of explanation by other considera-
tions than sympathy with one or the other
of the Democratic factions. No demand
upon-no request even, has been made of
any Republican, so far as we know, to sur.
render his convictions in supporting pol
icy or political faction that his judgment
did not approve. The States mere assump-
lions amount to assumptions and no more,
with nothing of fact to sustain them, and
| we dismiss them for what they are worth.
! The reference OF the State to the coupon
debt OF about SO 600, 900 and the claim put
up that the Conservatives paid the interest
10 full on it needs explanation. The inter-
est has been paid by the self-collecting cou-
pons, and while this process of collection
was going on in the interest of the
bondholder, the public schools were practi-
cally robbed Of the revenues dedicated to
them by the Constitution. Public faith was
as much violated in this respect as it would
have been had there been way of escape
from the operation of the coupons. The
Constitution demands that certain revenues
shall be appropriated to the public schools
These revenues are intercepted by the cou-
pons because the Conservative party pre-
ferred to violate the Constitution rather
han levy an additional tax Of ten cents on
the 800. In this way the schools were
robbed Of million and half dollars the
whole school system jeOpardized; the cred
it OF the State so impaired that the brokers
Of Richmond refused loan of 800 600 for
current expenses of government under the
rule Of this party, and not until the Read
justers came into power was this distrust
removed and the Commonwealth rescued
from such humiliating position.
The State is now supporting platform
that proposes to repudiate one-half Of the
interest charge against the State. 1t is not
positively declared that the creditors will
| be forced to take per cent. instead of
their lega! claim of per cent, but a ver-
dict Of the people is asked to ratify the plat
form resolve that per cent. Is the measure
of the ability Of the State; and should this
proposition be approved by the people,
then the creditors are to be approached
with the assurance that per cent. is all
the people are willing to pay. What does
this mean but th..t the creditors must &C.
cept this alternative, and by this process
submit to a forcible re-adjustment? Not
only does the State support this repudiat-
ing platform, but it supports a candidate
for the second office In the gift OF the people
who scouts the right of the creditor to de-
mand Of Virginia any amount the ''sover-
eign people" do not admit their willingness
to pay, whether sustained by the decisions
OF the:courts or not. 1t supports the author
OF the Barbour Bill, which the Governor We
toed because of Its unconstitutonality, as
alleged. when it knows that its candidate
still maintains the principles and provisions
of that measure. 1t supports platform
which declares against an increase OF taxa
ton, when it knows that the present reve-
nues are not sufficient for the purposes of
government and the interest charge against
the State. 1t must either consent to the vi
olation OF the Constitution-the highest
contract the people can enter into-in de-
priving the schools of their constitutional
fdnd the State Of the means to preserve
its existence, or default 10 interest to the
creditors The interest on the $4,000, 900
is paid because there is no way for the
Conservative party to prevent it. The
peeler bonds are OF rs high dignity as the
coupon bonds, yet this Conservative party,
tive department., made no sufficient provis-
ion to meet their interest demands. Time
again did the Legislature, controlled by the
States party, vote against proposition to
raise the taxes to meet the interest charge
against the State. and yet continued to pro-
claim its pretense of honor and its jealous
regard for the credit of the Common
wealth.
The State supports faction which has
preferred that Virginia should default In
interest to her creditors rather than in
crease the taxes to preserve her credit. 1t
supports platform now that practically
proposes to repudiate one-half OF the inter-
est charge against the State, KIN owing that
the courts have determined the validity of
most Of the debt and the interest it bears,
and placed it beyond party devices or legis-
lative resolves. Itsupports candidate for
Lieutenant Governor who adheres to his
re-adjustment formulation as presented in
the Barbour Bill consulting the creditors
about nothing, and denying their right to
control the revenues OF the State except
so far as the people may consent, regard
less of contracts and court decisions.
Whatever may be the reserved opinion as
to these points entertained by our cotem-
porary, the palpable fact stands that it sup
ports reputation party, reputation
platform and a repudiating candidate, which
differs in principle and policy but little from
the Re-adiusters, and that difference in the
amount to be repudiated.
And this is the record the ''best people''
have made to commend them to the conf
dence Of the country, and give them para
mount consideration in public esteem
Wherein and for what reason il line of
distinction to be drawn between the people
Of the State, and all identified with party
which has inflicted innumerable wrongs upon
i