Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-01-07
VIRGINIA HYBRIDS.
The Policy OF the Readjusters Defined in
Governor Cameron's Message to
the Legislature.
A Settlement Of the State Debt Recon-
mended in Accordance With the
Riddleberger Bill.

Riddleberger Bill.
RICHMOND, Va, January 6.-Governol
Cameron sent in his first message to the
general assembly to-day. In it he recon-,
meDds the adoption, without unnecessary
delay, of a measure which shall provide fol
the discharge of public obligations upon a
basis set forth in an act passed by the last
general assembly, and known as the "Rid-
dleberger Bill" "Great misrepresentation
exists" he says, "as to the purpose Of
the people of Virginia in regard TO the final
settlement of all controversy concerning the
State debt. AS he understands the views
and will of the people, they do not intend To
repudiate any Just obligation, but to assume
and pay that portion of the principal which
is properly chargeable to the present
State of Virginia, and to restore all
classes OF creditors to plane oil
equality. The true Indebtedness OF the
State" he says, SHOULD be determined
first, by computing the full interest to the
date of settlement from the period when
Virginia lost control of, and ceased to draw
revenue from the territory embraced in West
Virginia; second. by crediting against the
sum total of the principal and interest 80 OBJ
tanned, the Acknowledged payments on both
accounts made ::by Virginia since the parti'
ton of her territory. If this shall be done,
and provision made for the liquidation OF
the amount so found TO be due, no charge of
reputation can be laid at the door of the
people of the commonwealth" As to the
rate OF interest which Gao and should be
paid on the principal SO ascertained and as
sumed, the governor SAYS: "All parties in
the State are agreed that the present rate of
taxation cannot be increased.
In that mart of the mesaaoe Devoted IN
public schools he alludes to diversion in
part of considerable portions of the funds
dedicated by the constitution to educational
objects, and recommends immediate action
to preserve the school fund from future in
vasion and restore to it as speedily as prac-
ticable the amount which has been diverted
He favors the establishment OF a colored
normal school, and says; "The education OF
this class of our community is duty which
we owe not only to them but to the State.
Self-interest, if no higher motive, dictates
that we spare no effort to fit for citizenship all
upon whom we have conferred its privileges
and responsibilities. The question of mixed
schools requires no discussion. No class of
citizens desires them, and | am satisfied that
at present the arrangement would operate in
juriously. In contributing as literally as is
consistent with our revenues to all our edu-
cational institutions, we are encouraged to
uODS tudl at no ulstdnl udy we Shall receive
substantial assistance from the national gov
eminent"
On the suffrage question the governor
believes the public sentiment is overwhelm-
ingly in favor of the repeal of the constitu-
uona1 requirement of the payment of capt.
tation tax as prerequisite TO voting. AS a
revenue measure it is a failurej in principle
it is wrong, and in practice debasing He
recommends careful revision OF the regis
tFat latr md fou oil
registratio of the voters of the State in the
interest of full and free expression of the
popular will. He recommends rigid scru
tiny and purging of the election
laws, many provisions OF which are
subserved of the end professedly
sought. Popular content and confidence are
secured when the people satisfied that,
having freely sought the ballot, their votes
have been recorded and returned according
10 truth. The governor recommends the
passage of mandatory provisions for the
appointment of judges of elections from
opposite political parties, with penalties
attached for failure in the appointing power
to observe the requirements, and permitting
the presence of representatives Of each party
interested in the election while the vote is
received, canvassed, counted and certified.
The governor refers to the dangerous ten
denotes of combinations and monopolies
ment. The government should demand and
enforce the practical recognition of the fact
that the paramount obligation of railways is
to the people Virginia, and wholesome checks
should be imposed upon the various lines of
SO as to secure for the pro-
ducers and manufacturers of the State proper
rates and full facilities, and guartee to the
cities of the State those advantages to which
by reason OF their geographical position they
are entitled. He commends in this connec-
ton the laws of other States, notably Cali
fornia and Georgia, regulating railways
within their borders,
The governor concludes by congratulating
he general assembly upon the peace exist
ng within her borders, and the existing
'igns of more amicable relations between all
he sections and people OF our country. He
'ays "The assumption is not unwarranted |
hat the recent events in Virginia have |
erved to give an emphatic impulse to lib |
raj sentiment throughout the land. That |
,etter ere dawns upon us is we'll attested by |
he fact that for the first time in nearly |
quarter of century the President |
II the United States in his |
lnnual message to Congress finds no
occasion to allude to sectional differences.
Tor is there any point at issue between this |
and the government of the
United States to call for discussion, in this
ponding to the approach of a more perfect
Union, Virginia, always in the van of great
ational events, furnishes the grave upon her
oil for the vexed question OF the color-line.
Il Puiitics, to-uay, virginia stands bvfvrv
he world offering all the blessings of free
of absolute freedom in poll
les and religion, to those who may
eek her borders, appealing for a
armonious sisterhood of States, in which
ectional hate shall be unknown, and in each
which shall be illustrated spirit OF
lmericanism as broad as the limits of the
She points the way by leading in
!, and by pleading for tolerance to every
reed of party or church save only the creed
intolerance and prescription. The laws
Virginia guarantee equal protection and
rivilege to every citizen, and the people of
ne commonwealth have ordered that all de-
of the government shall execute
ne letter and spirit of those laws"
The governor did not complete the prepar-
ton of his message until o'clock p M, and
hen he sent it to the two houses, the house
delegates had adjourned. The message,
owever, was received by the senate and
lad.