The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-08-02
The Debt Settled-Witnesses, Came
ron and Riddlebergor.

The Debt Settled-Witnesses, Came
ron and Riddlebergor.
II having been iutimated by certain Ma
HONE Republicans that the debt question
was. II possible, to be made an issue in the
pending campaign, we deem 1t not amiss
70 prove by the highest Coalition authority
in Virginia that what the platform laid
down in Lynchburr afiirms on this subject
IA literally true. The plank alluded TO is as
follows:
sEcoSD-THE STATE DEBr.
The Democratic party accepts as final the
recent settlement Of the public debt pro-
nounccd constitutional by the courts OF last
resort. State and Federal, and will oppose
all agitation Of the question, or any disturb
ance Of that settlement by appeal or other
wise.
IN May last, on the day when the SUI
preme Court OF the United States refused
new hearing In the case OF Antoni rs.
Greenhoic, thus reaflirming the decision re-
ferred to In the above plank, the Washing
ton correspondent OF the Baltimore Sun
quoted what Mr.. RIDDIEBERGER had on the
same day said on the subject OF the re-
opening OF the deAt question in Virginia.
In the D;Spat& 81 May 1lth we repro
duced Mr.. RIDDLEBERGEp's remarks. They
are as they here follow:
Senator Riddleberger said that he was
satisfied the Supreme Court could do no
less than deny the motion fora rebearing.
He also said very positively that the people
OF Virginia were now practically unani-
nous in opposing any aftemp. to interfere
with roaciustment rs defined and settled
NV the terms Of bis bill. In answer to n
oIlos.jon as 10 whether some future Lcgis-
Iature might not resume the process OF re-
adjustment. he SAID, No; that the good
faiti. Of the people Of Virginia was pledged
TO Stand by the settlement that had been
made: that Virginia was able to pay upon
the basis determined upon, and that there
would be no default OF interest"
Mr.. RIDDLEBERGER told the simple truth.
The Democrats Of Virginia have no nten-
tion of ever re0pcning any question con-
nectcd with the public debt of the State.
They are not only pledged to this course
by the action of the Lynchburg Conven-
ton, but by the uiterances OF all the lead
ing men in The party. There was not one
single member Of the Lynchburg Conyen-
ton who voted against the resolution above
quoted.
II may be said that Mr.. RTDDIEBERGER's
pa,ernal pride led him to magnify the sue
cess which he bad had in framing the bill
that bears his name. Well, it was natural
that he should have felt somewhat elated
when he could really feel confident that the
question had been finally settled. But he
did not allow that feeling of citation to
color his remarks. He was careful in
the choice of his words. He said
not that the people OF Virginia
were unanimous" but that they were
practically unanimous in opposing any
attempt to interfere with roadiustment
"as defined and settled by the terms Of his |
bill" This, we repeat, is guarded Ian
guage. Why Gas defined and settled by |
his blu? Because the Supreme Court of
the United States had decided that bill to
be constitutional, and, as Mr.. RIDDLE
BERGER foresaw, and as the action Of the
Lynchburg Convention proved, it was in
obedience to the decree OF that high tri- |
a,unal that the Democrats Of Virginia had |
surrendered their contention on this sub |
iect.
A week or two before Mr.. RIDDLEBERGER |
made the declaration above quoted Cover
nor CAMERON made similar one TO certain
Republican members OF the PENNSYLVANIA
Legislature who had called upon him
whilst in this city on an excursion
The Harrisburg correspondent OF the Phil
adelphia Press wrote to that journal that
Governor CAMERON was waited upon by |
the excursion party, Democrats and all,
but desiring to have a quiet political talk |
with Mr.. COOPER. chairman OF the Repub-
Tcan State Committee, his wish was re-
spected, and later in the day Chairman
COOPER and Senators DAVIES, McCRACKEN.
LoNGENEcKER, and few other Republicans
"enjoyed long conversation with Vir-
ginia's Executive"
Well. what said Governor CAMERON in
this friendly conference with his Republic
can friends from Pennsylvania i! We quote
"The view advocated by the Readi usters
Isaid Governor Cameron] has been sus-
tanned by the United States Court, and the
entire question has been settled, 80 that it
is no longer practical issue in politics."
Governor CAMERON thus said in sub
stance at that time what MIR. RIDDLEBERGER
said few days afterwards. And we take
it for granted that let other Coalitionists
say what they may, those two leaders the
two electors at large on the Readjuster-
HANCOCK ticket OF 1SS0-will maintain that
the people of Virginia are now "practi-
caily unanimous in opposing any attempt
TO interfere with reimbursement as defined
and settled by the terms OF the RIDDLE
BERGER bill" the "entire question having
been settled so that it is no longer prac-
teal issue in politics"
-------------------
II seems to be very generally accepted
that the Republican National Committee
succeeded in spending 100000 in the
1000 townships in Indiana in 1880. and
-. tho,.ahy aupeaada1 In cac,trt,,o