The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-09-03

HISTORY OIL biS ueUt icy iSldblJl uuTlDS UHc
past two years. the Democratic platform
declaration on the subject is a burlesque.
After denouncing the Riddleberger bill
through the whole gamut of billingsgate, in
their convention of 1888, they formally
s'acquiesced in it's settlement, and de-
clared their purpose to faithfully carry out
it's PROVISIONS. Invested with power, its
representatives, either through ignorance
or design, tore down the safeguards
erected about the measure, and whilst pro-
claiming their devotion to It, stabbed it to
the death. In the face of this record they
now assert that their ''pledge was observed
with scrupulous fidelity on the part OF our
(their) representatives by the enactment
of all needful and proper legislation. If
the latter part of this sentence is an open
admission Of the charge made by the Re-
publicans, then it is true. If Virginia
Democracy is nothing more than organized
alliance with the bondholders and the
''pledge" referred to but a promise given
in their behalf, then indeed, may it be said
''all needful and proper legislation was
enacted. Everything was done that the
enemies of the Riddleberger bill Edesired.
The strong wall built about that measure
by the decisions of the highest court was
effectually undermined, and the hungry
horde of coupon scalpers came in with a
rush through the breech. Had the franz
ing Of the debt legislation been committed
solely to the agents of the creditors, it
could not have more thoroughly met their
views and wishes. Their chief object was
| to so mutilate the Riddleberger bill by
amendments that new case would be
made out for the Supreme Court, and in
| it's altered aspect decision be rendered
that would virtually reverse the original
| decision and revitalize the coupons. This
the Democracy did, and the people remem-
Der, Or ought to remember sthis much ::
That the Riddleberger bill did pass the
test of the highest judicial scrutiny, and
did practically kill the coupons. That was
the result of Republican legislation.
| When the Democracy were placed in con-
troll they Immediately set about to amend
this bill, and what followed i? The whole
force and effect of the original was de-
stroyed q new case was made for the SUI
preme Court and as result the former
decision was reversed the Riddleberger
bill became a nullity, and the coupons
commenced and are continuing to pour in
upon the Treasury. And this is the
record of ''scrupulous fidelity which the
people of Virginia are invited to endorse.
| Fidelity to what? To the State Of Vir-
ginia? Hardly. No one will have the
hardihood to assert that the State has been
benefited by it. But who has received
the benefit? Who ought to be gratiied
Look towards Richmond and see the tens
of thousands of dollars pouring from the
Golfers of the State to the Golfers of the
| bondholders. No need to search further.
| The results of the ''needful and proper leg
islation" are surely and swiftly dragging
Virginia down to the condition in which
the Readjuster party found her in 1879.
Another opportunity to exercise the
''scrupulous fidelity which has marked
! the legislation of the past two years, will
reduce thu State to hopeless bankruptcy,
and reputation unqualified must follow.
| With the lights before them it is for the
people to say whether or not they wish the
State to continue in the course which the
! Democracy has for second time headed
| hor