The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-11-01
To the Voters of Augusta.

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Virginia shall move forward in the path
f progress OF be remanded to the condi-
ion i'll which she was left by the Funder
'arty three years ago.
We ask you, before casting your ballot
N the 9th of the month, to pause for
moment look the issues squarely in the
ace. and then make your decision in ac-
with the dictates of reason and
Judgment. Don't allow passion and pref
ldice to lead you into an error which it
nay require years of bitter experience to
,emedy; don't permit empty -headed dem
lgoguery to profit by your credulity don't
sanction the falsehood and SANDER that
nave been resorted to to cover up the real
questions at issue. Render your decision
in this matter as you would decide any
other business proposition.
The two parties asking your suffrage
have been tried. The record OF the deeds
Of each is inscribed in Virginia's history.
records are the only safe criterions
by which the future can be judged. Com
pare the two, and then ask yourself the
question which of these parties is entitled
to my support which of them has been
the true friend to the people of Virginia !;
which of them has lightened the burden
under which the old State groaned which
of them has more nearly approached to
what should be the aim of every political
party-the greatest good to the greatest
number: which of them has benefited me
as citizen and taxpayer; which OF them
has introduced common sense business
methods into the management OF State
affairs? In short, is Virginia in a better
condition now than she was three years
ago? These are the tests which practical
business men should apply. They are the
only tests by which a political party can
be rightly judged. Let us see what they
demonstrate
After ten years of Democratic rule the
condition of Virginia was humiliating in
deed. With taxes at so cents the 800 ;
with an assessment basis on real and per-
sonal property as high as it could be borne ;
with every interest dependent upon the
public funds suffering for want of support,
the State was running in debt at the rate
of nearly a million dollars year. The re-
port of Auditor Taylor for 1854 report
of Democratic auditor made to Demo-
cratic egislature-shows, page 5, that the
difference between the estimated resources
and expenditures of the State government
was 1854, 900, on the debit side. In other
words, Virginia was going in debt at the
rate of 1854, 900 per year. 1t is the duty of
the Auditor to make such suggestions ashe
may deem proper. What suggestions did
Auditor Taylor make to meet this deficit
He said, page Sand farmers OF Augusta
and workingmen men read it-that in
order to meet the demands of the govern
ment one of two things would have to be
done Either that the poll tax acoatld haze
to be increased to So per capita, or that the
rate of taration on real and personal prop
erty arould haze to be increased to rs cents
on the 800, fifty per cent. more than Ut then
ards and NEARLY DOUBLE WHAT IT NOW
Is. 1t is fair to suppose, from the record.
that had the Democratic party not been
thrust from power in 1879, the taxes on
real and personal property would now be 75
cents instead of 40 cents.
This was the condition of the State when
the Readjuster party came into power.
Now mark the contrast
The debt has been settled on a fair and
equitable basis. 1t is a settlement which
even the Democrats endorse. Under it
there is saved to Virginia, in interest
alone, 500 ,278.60 per annum.
When the Democratic party came into
power in 1870, there were 81 $4,000 in the
treasury, and not dollar of floating debt.
When 1t went out of power it owed a
floating debt of 81 1863, 1920, and had $22,-
494.09 in the treasury. OF this floating
debt of nearly two million dollars, the Re-
adjusters have paid off all except a re-
mainder of $4,000.
The annual average of regular expenses
of governm emit under Democratic rule was
81 ,OS4 66474. The annual average of reg
ular expenses under Readjuster rule is
$500, 234. "a saving Of $2S2, $1,000 every
year.
Under Democratic rule real estate paid
an annual tax of $l.242, 502.9S. Under
Readjuster rule it pays 1928, 724.32,-a
saving TO the farmers and property owners
of $31S,77S,66 year.
Under Democratic rule personal prop
erty paid an annual tax of $340, 117.17.
Under Readjuster rule it pays 1928. 271.26,
"a saving of $11 .S45.91.
Under Democratic rule railroads paid
$40, 559.O4. Under Readjuster rule they
pay $13S, 454.92.
Under Democratic rule the State went
in debt 1854, 900 a year. Under Readjuster
rule, estimating for every dollar due under
the Riddleberger Bill, the State is meet
ing every obligation and accommodating IL
quarter of a million annually.
Under Democratic rule the public schools
numbered 2491. Under ReadjuSter rule
they number 5597.
Under Democratic rule the amount paid
for education was $511 .902.53. Under Re-
adjuster rule it was increased to 81 49,
1925.
Under Democratic rule the penitentiary
cost 100000 per year. Under Readjuster
rule it pays $4,000 per year-an annual
saving of $4,000, and precisely the same
system of contracts.
Under Democratic rule the State was
borrowing money from the banks at s to
10 per cent. to pay current expenses. I'm
der Readjuster rule the banks ARE paying
2 to 3 per cent. for State deposits.
Under Democratic rule your taxes were
so cents on the 500. Under Readjuster
rule your tax is 40 cents.
These are some Of the reforms instituted
by the party in power in Virginia to-day.
They stand out in striking contrast with
the methods which obtained under the
Democratic administration.
Farmers of Virginia, business men, me-
chanics and workmen, can you afford to
see Virginia once more in the hands of
those who haye been tried and found want
ing. If Virginia were your own private
property would you hesitate for one mo-
ment as to which of these parties you
would place in control? The one has been
an absolute curse to the State. The other
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