The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-02-12
A New Departure.

ne Salu IN JIaI communication. Both Re
publican and Democratic papers assumed
differently, and that it was merely a
guarded expression of views, intended to
mlslead Mr.. Curtis, and that read between
the lines there was IA purpose to adopt
policy inconsistent with the object of the
inquiry presented by Mr.. Curtis, and in
consonance with the wishes of extreme
partizans of the Democratic faith. We
advanced the view that it would be derog-
atory to the character and posi- ton of the
President of the United States, to write
a letter designedly to deceive the peo-
pie, and admit of two contradictory
constructions. We could see no object to
be gained by any such duplicity, nor could
we understand the motive which would
justify one about to enter upon II great of
flee, in placing himself before the country
in the attitude of a trimmer. seeking to
conceal his purposes under the flimsy guise
of douhle-dealing sentences. There is
nothing in what Mr.. Cleveland has uttered
since his election to warrant such an i'm
his PLAIN, direct and unmistakable state
ment to Senators as reported in an article
published elsewhere, taken from the Bal
timore Sam. He there confirms the con-
struction we placed on his letter, land leaves
no doubt that he intends to inaugurate
departure from the methods and policy
which have characterized party administra-
tions heretofore. 1t is probable thatasuch
departure will invoke the opposition of ex-
IRENE men of both parties. and be the Oc-
casion for any amount of curses mot loud
but deep, F." from those who have fiattered
themselves with the belief that the .'spoils
of office" would be the beginning and the
end of change of administrations.
| Whatever may be the effect of the policy
Mr.. Cleveland has indicated he means to
adopt upon extreme men, who reach no
higher in their aims than the flesh pots, it
is apparent that it will address itself to
the approval and support of the.conserva-
tive elements of both parties, and crystal
ize force, in the course; of short time,
that will be able to withstand the as
saults of all indictments, and successfully
appeal to the better influences of the coun-
try. All fair-minded men recognize that
partizan politics have had too much to do
with the administration of governments land
that public sentiment is prepared to accept
a wiser, more patriotic and conservative
line of duty. 1t will require courage and
nerve to inaugurate departure that will
conflict with the pre-conceived notions of
party zealots, but the policy once outlined,
with firm hanC.at the helm, and there
will be no insurmountable difficulty in
carrying it to successful conclusion. -
Once established, it will become the policy
OF the government. whichever party may
| be in power, and the unseemly and embit-
tered scramble for office be remembered as
| enc of the unpleasant incidents of politi-
cal contests which the progressive senti-
ment of the nation has relegated to the
past.
Mr.. Cleveland has a great opportunity
before him, and as he may measure ND to
it will his administration be success or
a failure. 1t is possible for him to dis
arm partlzan opposition and so shape his
administrative policy in the interest of the
people and good government as to make it
Improbable for mere partizans to antago-
nize it, whether of one political identity
OR the other Public sentiment is ripe for
such condition of things. for tie great
mass of the people are tired of the bitter
contests which have heretofore character
lied political conflicts and are ready to ac-
cept any policy that has for its primary
object the promotion of the general well
fare and the cultivation of better feel
ing among those who have common inter-
ests to subserve and the peace and pros
perity of common country to labor for
Financial Complications.
The complications in the First Audi
tors office, the fact recently discovered of
refunded bonds not cancelled being Of
fered for refunding again, and the deci-
sion Of the Federal Courts, by which cou-
pons are ordered to be received for all
taxes due the State, combine to present
|
finances of the State are concerned. There
isno telling at this time. the amount in
v0lved in the irregularities of Mr.. w. r.
Smith, chief clerk in the First Auditors
Office. 1t is believed to be at least 500, 900
and may be much more. Nor is it deter
mined where this loss will fall, whether on
the State, or on the clerks of county and
corporation courts. &c., who paid their
dues to the State in an irregular way, but
sanctioned by usage. Kindred looseness
and carelessness in other offices in the
basement, made it possible for the re-
| funded bonds not cancelled to be disposed
of and to pass into the hands of innocent
purchasers. What amount of these bonds
stated what amount of bonds which should
have been cancelled have been refunded,
nor the aggregate amount Of the bonds,
! fraudulent and genuine, which are out,
and in the hands Of innocent parties,
claim to be owed by the State. In the
condition the refunded bonds and the
plates of the original bonds were found,
it is impossible to conjecture how many of
them are held and believed to be lust
debt against the State. They may amount
to double what the State really owes. yet
held in good faith by those who may have
purchased them, believing they were the
legitimate issues of the Commonwealth
Cotemporaneous with these unpropitious
phases of our financial affairs, is the Or
der of Judge Hughes, of the Uuited States
Court, restraining the Auditor and Off
GERS of the State from refusing to receive
coupons Tor taxes. The practical opera
tion of this order. if sustained in the cases
now before the United States Supreme
Court, would be to impoverish the Treas
| ury, and arrest the machinery of govern
| ment.
These complications are not pleasant to
| contemplate. They are not assuring to
the people. They furnish the evidence
that our financial condition isanything but
! inviting, and indicate that there will like
ly be continued agitation of the debt ques
ia, haff, Ir. II e.. "a