Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1885-08-28
ROCKINGHAM REPUBLICANS.
Hon. F. s. Blair's Speech-Republi-
cans United.
From the Valley yirginian.

II was announced That Attorney
General Blair would address the
large audience present. He WAS
presented to the people by II. rry
son Gray, Esq, and after hearty
and enthusiastic welcome he pro-
ceeded to discuss some of the in.
terests and questions which ara
german to the canvass. He first
took up the statement OF some OF the
Bourbon papers in relation to the
school fund charging the superlnten
dents with Encouragement OF that
fund, by reason of which the teach
ers had not been paid and were
compelled to have their warrants
discounted at a heavy loss. He re
ferred to the law that required the
commissioners of revenue to make
returns to the Auditor by the 18th
of August of each year of the books,
showing the taxable resources o.
the State, and the revenues upon
which the State must depend
These officers had properly dis
charged their duty, and their books
we're in the Auditors Office at the
appointed time. He then stated
the duty Of the Auditor to be TO
notify the county and the city
treasurers of the amount to be re-
tanned, under the Grandstalf act,
in their offices for school purposes,
which was not to be turned into
the Treasury.
This notification had to be given
by the 10Th of September. 1t had not
been done ty the present Auditor.
AS this notification had not been
given and the treasurers were all
compelled by law to make complete
and final settlement for the year
by the 10Th OF December, all the
revenues collected by them, includ.
ing school funds, were paid into
the Treasury by that day. Two
days after this, on the 18th Of De-
cember, notifications were sent ONT
Of the requirements Of the Grand
stan act, but it was too late, for the
revenues were then in the Treasury
and could not be gotten out for the
purpose for which they we're un-
der law collected. Consequently,
100000 dedicated by the Consti.
tuition to the schools to pay teach
ers was held there, which properly
belonged to the teachers, while
they were forced to have their war
rants shaved in order to realize
upon the scanty salaries they had
earned. This 100000 belonging
to the teachers was a large item in
stating the amount in the Treasury,
which was pointed to by the Bour-
bOns as evidence Of Bourbon fnan-
cial success.
This exposure Of Bourbon iuplic-
ity, as well as hostility to the pub
lie schools, opened the eyes Of many
of the audience, who did not under.
stand why it was that while the
commissioners returns showed an
increase in the school fund the
teachers remained unpaid. The de-
linquency had been charged in the
Democratic papers OF IIarrisonburg
to the Republican county superin-
tendent, but the exposure Of the
methods of the Bourbon Auditor
located the responsibility where it
properly belongs. The money dine
the schools and the teachers is held
in the Treasury to pay coupons,
over 100000 of which have been
presented for redemption within
the past month, under the operation
of Bourbon legislation, defeating
the Riddleberger bill settlement.
Mr.. Blair, after a mastery and
convincing presentation Of the sub
ject, proceeded to discuss the acts
of the last Legislature, and cspe-
cially to dissect the usurpati0n
which resulted in unseating fifteen
legally elected Republicans and
seating as many Democrats who had
not been elected. He followed this
exposure up by pointing to the o5-
ject of it. 1t was to gain two
thirds majority, and then bid
defiance to the Executive in
the enactment of such outrageous
as the McCOrmick-Ander-
son Electoral bill by which the peo-
pie are to be robbed of their ballots
if they will permit it. lie laid bare
the perfdy Of this chapter Of Bour-
bon corruption and held it up to
the indignant contemplation OF all
honest people.
Mr.. Blair then took up the letter
of Ex-Governor Chamberlain, writ
ten in behalf of the Bourbon party
and to refute statement of John
S. Wise as to the effect OF Bourbon
on the "COupOn Killer
acts 1t was shown that BOur.
bon amendments to the debt legis-
ation had defeated the RiddIeber-
ger settlement, invited two hundred
suits in the city of Richmond to en-
'Orce the payment Of coupons, re-
,ulting in about 100000 being |
paid out of the school fund wrong.
ully held in the Treasury tor the
benefit of stOck, jobbers and coupon
icalpers.
lie briefly referred to the oppos-
ng ticket, mentioning General Lee
n courteous terms, but reminded
lis hearers that it was the nephew
# his uncle and not the uncle who
vas asking their suffrage. Mr..
lassey was described in Bourbon
ernacular as to him-BOurbon es
innate and Bourbon characterize.
ion being reproduced to show
that he was in their estimation,
nd who it was they are now sup
orting. Ayres was mentioned as
n unknown quantity as lawyer,
eyer having had case in the Su.
reme Court, and there was no as.
trance that he would be equal to
le duties connected with the Of
ce with which his name is asso.
ated. }
Mr.. Blair touched on the con-
ition of the country under Demo.
-atic Observation-Disclosures impOr-
.nce of protection to home in
ustries, as a means of developing
sources, reviving industries, and A
the Commonwealth and
rev contrast between the pro-
Dsed Democratic martial demon.