The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-03-26
Tell the Truth

Iell IQ6 IruCn.
We read the New York Times always |
with pleasure and sometimes with profit. |
1t is one Of the ablest and cleanest papers |
published in this country. 1t necessarily
has wide and pronounced influence upon
whatever interests its arguments are dl-
rected. We realized this four years ago.
and it was realized by the country last fall.
In 1881, four years ago, the political situa-
tion in Virginia was exciting and novel.
Three Conventions were held, Democratic,
Republican and Readjuster. The Demo-
Gratis declared forthe payment of the. State
debt as it was presented in the then exist
ing funding bills, but absolutely refused
to provide the means to pay it, knowing
that it had been increased over 900
in defaulted interest since 1871, and, that
the revenues were inadequate to the de-
mands of the State by nearly Sl,OOo,OOo
each year. They had enacted an unconstir
tutional restriction on the ballot estab-
lished the whipping-post. and by the oper-
alton of their legislation had paralyzed
the public schools. They did not propose
to change their position on these vital
questions, coming home to the rights and
interests Of the people, and appealing to
the humanity of the State. They declared
for no reform as to either Of these
questions. .e
The Readiusters while resolving for
reimbursement of the debt, and against the
tax-receivable coupon, took position
for the repeal of the capitation tax re-
striction on the ballot. the repeal OF the
whipping post law and in favor OF restor-
ing the public. schools to healthy condi-
tion.
The Repub licans declared for the pay
ment of the State debt and an increase OF
the rate of taxation, if necessary, to raise
the means to do so for the repeal OF the
restriction on the ballot. the repeal OF the
whipping-post law and. the rescue of the
public schoo Is from impending ruin.
The New York Times, Tribune, Herald,
Philadelphia Press. and nearly all the lead
ing Republicans papers of the North, IA
yored the Readjusters, and opposed. the Re-
publicans presenting State ticket. These
influences created q public sentiment in
the North among Republicans, which in
duced President Garfield to discounte-
nance Republican ticket and to favor a
coalition with the ReadjuSters.
The Republicans were confronted with
the Democratic party, the Readjuster par
ty, and the Federal administration, and
against these combined influences the
VALLEY VIRGINIAN was the only papet
in the State that cOntended for the obser.
vance of the obligations of the Common
wealth and the necessary Legislation to
raise sufficient revenue for that purpose.
The odds were too great to overcome,
While the Republicans made determined
fight, they found when the Convention as
sembled that they had been beaten ano
that the only course left for them was to
choose between the Democrats, with theil
faithless record on the debt and the other
questions named land the Readjusters, who
were in accord with them on every othel
issue except that of the debt.
to 90 into recital of the history
of the complications which existed il
1881, the position of the respective parties
and the influences which shaped the can
vass. Suffice it to say that twas the in
fuence of the New York Times, Tribune
Herald. Philadelphia Press and other lead
ing Northern journals, operating upon thu
administration of President Garfield
which brought about the supremacy OF the
Readjuster party. This journal and its ed
ltOr were assailed by their correspondents
as engaged in an effort to defeat liberia
movement in the South" and held up to
the reprobation of the country because he
contended for the maintenance of what he
believed to be the good faith OF the State
The editor of the VIRGINIAN made per
sonal appeal to President Garfield. the ed
itors of the Times and the Press, without
changing their policy. We were left tt
choose between what was then called the
Conservative. party and the Readjustel
party. and in doing so supported thelat
ter.
In view of this brief reference to the in
fuences which existed in 1881. and which
resulted in the success of the Readjusters
the enactment of the Riddleberger bill
the repeal of the restriction on the ballot
and the whipping-post law, and the resto
ration of the public schools, we submit
that it is inconsistent in the Times to be
assailing the result of its own works and
denouncing condition of things which it
was potential in bringing about.
We shall refer to this matter again and
give the resolution of each of the parties
on the debt question, and facts within our
personal knowledge which will clearly ex-
plain the manner in which the present re-
lation of parties was brought about and
the false pretense of the Democratic
'.debt payers, and the practical effects OF
the respective policies of the two parties.
This journal does not propose to be
placed in false position by the designing
tricksters, who have no higher ambition
than the fiesh-pots, and have shown that
they have no convictions relating to the
credit and honor of the State, which have
not been subordinated to greed for office.
A Card from Gen. Hnnton.
Last week we published an extract from
the Washington correspondence OF the
Philadelphia Times, giving what purported
TO be an interview between Postmaster
General Villas and Gen. Eppa Hunton, OF
Virginia. In it Gen. Hunton was reported