The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-07-30
What has been Done.

What has been Done.
The Vimdicotor is very cool in its COM
ments on the Republican platform. It as
sumes that when the Republican party
OF Virginia had power it did not
do many things which it now says ought
to be done. If our contemporary win take
into consideration what the Republicans
haze done. it ought to in candor admit that
they did great good to. the State in the brief
timethey were inpower. thought to'concede
that this ought to be sufficient assurance
that the Republicans would endeavor to be
faithful to every promise they make, if the
power is given to do so.
The Republican party found the State cred
it ruined, with not sufficient contid ence in
it for the Auditor to negotiate a loan OF a
few thousand d pillars to meet current ex-
penses.
1t found the State treasury empty with
protested obligations for large and small
amounts, which could not be paid.
1t found annual default in the revenues
of nearly million dollars, an aggregated
default of over five millions increasing the
debt to that amount.
Itfound oyerfonr hundred thousand dol
lars in the hands of county treasurers and
clerks which ought to have been in the
treasury, and their accounts running Tor
six and seven years without settlement.
1t found the Penitentiary charge upon
the State to the excess of expenses over
receipts to the amount of $4,000.
1t found the schools in condition bor-
dering upon ruin, with growing hostile.
sentiment against them, and deficit in
the school fund, by reason of it having
been diverted to other purposes, of over
fifteen hundred thousand dollars.
1t found an unconstitutional restriction
upon the ballot designed to practically dis
franchise poor men for partizan purposes
1t found the barbarous whipping post
aw in practical operation, land the lash laid
on for the most trivial offences, sometimes
real and sometimes Matched up. working
Acknowledgement to the victim.
1t found the public debt in aconfused and
almost inexplicable condition, with interest
defaulting at the rate of a million dollars
year and the rich taxpayer discharging his
tax obligations for eighty cents Oh the dol
lar, while the small taxpayer had to pay
dollar for dollar.
1t found the jails filled with lunatics
and the charitable institutions so impover-
ished that means for their current support
could not be commanded, except occasion
ally at high interest on the personal
endorsement of the officers.
1t found all these things to exist as the
result of Democratic rule, favoriteism and
prejudice.
1t replenished the Treasury
Restored public credit and confidence
Arrested default in interest.
1t made most of the Treasurers and
Clerks close up their accounts.pay their in
debtedness, and return to the State the
taxes collected from the people and illegal
ly withheld.
1t placed the penitentiary on self sus-
tanning basis, saving to the State at least
$4,000 annually.
1t raised the public schools from the
brink of destruction, and established them
in a healthy and progressive condition.
Returned to them the moneys wrongfully
diverted from them doubled the atten-
dance of scholars and teachers provided
for the prompt payment Of the latter. in
stead of having to submit to a ruinous
shave from curb-stone brokers. and adj
vanced the system in the confidence and af-
lection of the pc ople.
1t restored free ballot.
1t abolished the whipping post.
It devised a plan for an equitable set
Element of the State debt. by which thir
teen millions of wrongfully stated obliga-
tions were eliminated and the true debt of
the Commonwealth presented, and but for
the stupidity and malignity of the Demo
cratic party, the whole debt question would
now be out of controversy.
1t scuttled the cut worm of the treasury
the tax-paying coupon. and proceeded to
place all taxpayers on an equality, both
rich and poor having to pay one hundred
cents for every dollar of taxes due, and
this would now be in force and effect but
for Democratic legislation.
1t removed the lunatics from the jails
and placed them in asylums, provided
means to literally conduct the charitable
institutions and to enlarge their capaci-
ties.
cit did all these things in defiance
of Democratic opposition, to most of
them, and demonstrated its integrity and
ability to legislate for the good Of the peo-
pie and the progress and prosperity of the
Commonwealth.
To note other wrongs calling for heroic
treatment, only shows to what a fearfully
deplorable condition the State had been
brought under Democratic administration
and that it is only through the agency of
the Republican party which had effected
the reforms named, that others can be ex-
pected. The Republicans have promised
nothing that they will not perform, if the
power is given them to work out results.
They did noble work while in power and
if again entrusted with it, will demon
strate their devotion to the State and the
interests and rights of the people, and all
other interests presented in their platform
and to the faithful execution of which they
are pledged.
The wrongs inflicted upon the State are
the fruits of Democratic rule.
The reliefs given to the people are the
results of Republican administration.
Which will the people again trust?
F'itz Lee Nominal d.
The Democratic State Convention, for
the purpose of nominating candidates for
Governor, Lieutenant Governor and At
torney General, assembled in Richmond
yesterday. Jno S. Barbour called the Con.
vention to order. He congratulated the
Democrats upon the result of the last Ma
tional election and declared that whilst