The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-09-04

added that according 10 our rccOlccJlOn
the bill passed unanimously in one ii not
in both houses. though good many Of the
RcaGjusters no doubt declined TO vote:
SEPTEMBER |, 1883.
10 the Editor Of the Dispatch:
In your paper of the Both there is an in
quiry about the IIenkel bill, which is now
claimed as a Roadiuster measure. Having
been active in the passage of that bill, de-
sire TO say a few words about the circum-
stances under which it became law.
When the McCuIloch bill for the settle
ment of the State debt was under discus
sion IN the House OF Delegates Mr.. Henkel
said to me that he and some others who
had acted with the Malone party were
satisfied with the proposed settlement, and
would vote for it if an act was passed which
would protect the school fund until the
debt was refunded, and the revenue was
demonstrated TO be sufficient to pay
expenses OF government, the school
quota, and the interest on the fund
ed debt. | told him that it was
the desire OF the friends OF the bill, so
far as knew, to protect thoroughly the
school fund, and we determined to call 4
conference OF the supporters of the bill in
order that we might agree on suitable
measure for this purpose. That conference
was held ut the room OF Mr.. BocOck, at the
Exchange Hotel. and was largely attended.
After discussing the various bills which
had been presented for the protection OF
the public schools, among which was one
by General Bradley II. johnson, the con-
ference agreed that the one presented 10y
Mr.. Henkel in the House was the best.
Some notifications were suggested. and
Mr.. Henkel and myself were asked
to embody the views Of the confer
ence in a partial report TO be pre-
Sented when the House met the next
day. This we aid, but upon consultation
with several OF the prominent members it
was deemed best to have the bill acted on
i'm the Senate first, as il would be more
certainly reached in the House as Senate
bill, it being late in the session. Accord
ingly. Mr.. Hcnkcl and myself went over to
the Senate and bad conference with Ma
jor Daniel and Mr.. Grimsley, whoapproved
our scheme. and promised to present the
bill at the earliest opportunity. They were
unable to do so on that day, and, having to
leave the city on the next day, they gave
the bill to Mr.. Smith, OF Nelson, who made
a slight change in it, making it continuous,
instead OF temporary, in its operation,
as | now remember, and introduced
| it in the Senate. When it came TO its
passage number OF the leading Reid
| justcd absented themselves, afraid to OPP
pose it, and yet not willing to support so
! important measure which had not been
brought forward by theiI party. When it
came TO the House it was supported there.
| us in the Senate. hy the votes OF the friends
OF the NcCulloch bill, and was recognized
rs measure OF the Conservative party.
Had the journals with me | would give
the names OF the members who supported
the bill, which would demonstrate the cor
rectness OF my statement.
Tins bill went into effect. and proved
perfect protection to the schools, one year
before Mr.. Taylor was displaced as Au-
dtor, and the current school fund now is
no larger and no more perfectly protected
than during that year. The difference be-
tween the school fund now and then arises
from the payment of arrears which had
previously accumulated, but which Mr..
Taylor had estimated and reported to the
Legislature, and for the payment Of which
an act was passed by the same body that
passed the McCulloch bill.
WILLIAM w. HENRY