The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-10-04
The Readiuster Platform of 1880.

The Readiuster flatiorn VI Aooo'
A Gentleman writes to us from Madison
Courthouse as follows;
.Djd not one Of the platforms OF the Re
sdjusters expressly promise TO submit tpeii
debt-settIement bill 10 vote Of the people
n 50. please publish II. John Wise denied
the existence OF such platform"
Captain JOHN 8. WISE seems to he either
little reckless In his assertions or some
what audacious in assuming that his hear
ers are no better informed In regard TO the
history and the declarations Of the Cosli-
tionists than he Is. In compliance with
the request OF our correspondent at Madi-
son Courthouse, we shall reproduce pres
entity the declaration or promise spoken OF.
In their Convention Of July Z, 1880, the
Coxlitionists, or HANCOCK Democratic-Re-
adjusters as they then were. adopted a
platform in which they declared that
"Solemly reafirming the principles and
policy laid down by the Convention held ut
Mozart Hall February 25, 1879, do hereby
approve and indorse the bin TO reestablish
the public credit upon which the people
were denied the privilege Of passing iudg-
mtnt w u ithitisoh 'nu "a
OF the executive veto"
This led up to the declaration, or prom
Use, to which our correspondent alludes.
This was itself promise by necessary inn
plication; for il Governor HOLIDAY eX-
'ercised the veto power in a partisan and
arbitrary manner 10y his refusal TO let the
people vote upon ga bill TO reestablish the
public credit" that being. the title OF the
RIppIEpERGEg bin OF 1870 vetoed by the
Governor, of course the Readjusters, in
denouncing him for that refusal, did in ell
feet promise not to follow Governor HoL-
LmAY's bad example. The 18th section OF
the bill vetoed by Governor HOLIDAY pro-
yided for submitting to the people the ques-
ton OF the ratification or rejection OF that
BILL The ballots were to be marked re-
spectively, "For the Act" and Against
the Act"
The reason for the promise having been
recited, the promise may naturally be
looked for in the platform itself. And ac-
cordingly we find that the HANCOCK Demo-
atic-Readjuster Convention OF 1880 re-
solved as follows:
"ReSolued, That while il is OF grave i'm
portance to every interest OF the Common
wealth that the question OF the public debt
should be finally and fairly disposed Of, no
settlement can have the essential feature OF
finality which shall lack the approval OF
the people," &C., &c.
The case is completely made out. IL
that was not a promise to submit to the
voters any plan OF settlement the Legisla-
t,Ire might agree upon, it was deliberate
attempt to deceive them. Captain WISE
can take either horn Of the dilemma.
BY the way, the same Convention adopt
ed the following declaration:
"And believing that the objects hitherto
declared and the interests OF all the people
OF Virginia are TO he best snbserved by the
election OF Hancock and English to the
Presidency and Nice-Presidency of the
United States, therefore further declare
that the electoral ticket nominated by this
Convention is instructed in behalf OF those
candidates, and that they are cordially COM
mended TO the earnest support OF every
member Of this organization in Virginia"
That was in July, 1880. Did Captain
JONI S. WISE ever hear Of that dcclara-
ton? 1t is TO be presumed that he has,
since he was by that same Convention Sc
lected as HANCOCK elector. pledged to vote
against CHESTER A. ARTHUR, who appointed
him in 1882 United States District Attorney
for the Eastern District OF Virginia.