Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1883-03-22
RIDDLEBERGER'S VIEWS.

RIDDLEBERGERS VIEWS.
The following interview with Senator
Riddleberger on the debt question and the
politics of Virginia is given by the Bati-
more Sun.
Question.-Will the readjusters consider
that the Supreme Court decision has settled
| the debt question, and will it be eliminated
from the issues on which their future politi-
cal campaigns will be conducted?
AnsWer.-I our questions are rather lead
ing Tor an examination in chief. and were
to answer fully, you would eliminate it all.
Will say, however, thatthe readjusters con-
slider the debt question settled that is, u-
dicially settled. As Il political question il is
no more settled than it was when we had
the Antoni VS.. Wright decision against us
some years ago. Courts can fix principles,
but they cannot finally adjudicate political
questions. The decision OF the court is pc
cullarly gratifying TO US. 1t will set per-
| sons abroad to thinking whether we are re-
ally not quite as good, as honest and law
abiding as those who have been so persist
emily assailinS us. But no court could set
tie question Of sovereignty for me, and be-
lievins we were right, | should not have
ceased my efforts till the sovereign pcople
had agreed TO abandon the right to control
their revenues. | take it for granted that
many persons who have been engaged in
educating the people that the courts would
never countenance ourmeasures will not ac-
quiesce so suddenly. There are too many
legal regulations shipwrecked BY this de-
clsion to expect peace in Virginia just now
True, there Is an expression Of content on
the part Of machine politicians They want
to eliminate the debt question and rally un-
der the banner ola name. But these will
find too many thoughtful men to say that if
they have been misled on the debt question
they had better consider whether it is not
wise TO change party associations 1t is
asking them to aband OH the question which
was held up as involving the Integrity of the
party. No +; the question cannot be elimi-
mated as 4 political factor. The cabled
threat of 81, 900 subscribed TO beat us was
q torerunner. There is too much Of good
speculation TO stock-gamblers in keeping
such questions open. These 90 on regard
less OF consequences to real security holders,
and agitation is what they want They can
find means and agents, and they will stir
the cauldron in Virginia this fall The re-
adusters will not relent till the founding is
well done. We have twice seen what I.egis-
latures can do, and we will not give another
opportunity 10 repeat without a strong APP
peal to the people to complete this work.
Our success gives Us new, but not more
| courage. 1t will bring lis recruits. 1t af-
1ords amusement TO hear the stion that
success must break up the read uster party.
Failure has twice crippled Us but we have
not experienced any set-backs from success.
We cannot be expected to give the finishing
of the good work TO the lunders. 1t would
have been aS reasonable TO expect the victo-
rloua party in the late unpleasantness TO
turn the government over to the Conieder-
ates-a dream which some Bourbons did
have for 4 year or two. We cannot climi-
nate, ii we would we will not agitatc, but
| we shall simply go on to iinality, SO that the
debt question may soon 90 out of our poll
tics, to remain out forever. There is enough
political provender in Virginia to feed a
half dozen party organizations The land
| commissioners bill Of the last Legislature is
As strong before the people rs the debt
question was in 1872. The method of dis
posing OF real estate in Virginia is a half
| century behind the age. Costs are amazing
and titles too often Insecure, and it is safe
estimate that two dollars of estate is requi-
red 20 pay one OF debts Of any deccdent.
| This measure only needs to be understood.
Last fall presented it to audiences in
| twcntyonc counties and cities. and the peo-
| pie jumped III H. They understood some.
thing of the evil, but they were surprised 10
hear there was Il remedy. The funders as a
party very unwiscly took issue on it in the
| Legislature, and denounced it on the hust-
ings This is but one of a half dozen local
or State questions. The readiusters will
stand for a fair and compact appor-
| tionmem. bill. which. by contrast with
/ the present ierrymandered districts
! ,ci- t,X ,,,1o
growth of the school system while
taxes were actually reduced cannot
| bc taken ont of coming campaigns. But the
! question that will continue to divide parties
! in Virginia is that of Il tariff for protection
! There need be neither new lines nor new
names on this-thc only national question
with us At this time. The readiuSters, as
such. have taken their position in two party
! platforms, and their name is the SYNONYM
of protection for Virginia. Names are of
| little significance with us now We have
been called by all the hard ones till nothing
can frighten us in the way OF name. We
shall he readjusters. 1t isa superb and COM
prehensve name. On these questions. State
and Federal, we shall, in my opinion. largely
increase our majority.
@. What is your expectation as to what
course the bondhoders will now pursue
Will any considerable portion of them ac-
cept the terms proposed by your bill?
A. think they will fund rapidly up TO
ten or twelve millions. There can be no
reason why the peeler bonds should not
come in quickly. These are already worth
more than before. We can hereafter pay in
terest promptly and two or three install
ments so paid will give our bonds such an
impetus that all will come in. One thing
is quite certain; they must fund to get
any interest. Some will doubtless hold
off to await the results of another
election, but by this time our bonds
will be worth so much more than theirs that
the inducement will bring them in unless
tha, can secure a Icuislature to snsnend