Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-09-21
TUESDAY. SEPTEMBER 81. 1886
MI Cooner. of England.

who recently spent month in Viz
ginis, where he convefsed With people
"in oil ranks Of lifs," published 10 the
London Financial Neps of September
2, instant, q long letter, the burden OF
which Is that a majority Of the real
people Of Virginia are willing to pay
more of the public debt than is pro-
vided for in the RIDDLEBERaER bill.
Mr.. COOPER frankly confssses that
be studiously RETAINED from consulting
with professional politicians or office
seekers and negroes. Very Inconsistent
" with his theory that the people are
ripe for settling the debt on new
basis, he thus confssses that the "of-
fice-seeksr =" is opposed to offering any
new settlement, though why the "of-
fice.seeker" should array himself
against the people whose votes he de-
sires to secure is one Of those things
that no fellow can find out.
Perhaps Mr.. COOPER recollected that
when it came to voting negroes ballot
counted for as much as white mans, and
that the offlce-seekers did actually So
cure the control of the government Of
this State in 1879 by the aid of the
votes Of those very negroes Of whom
MIR. COOPER declares that " it does not
really affect the colored population at
all whether the debt is paid or not"
and that practically they pay no
taxes, but unfortunately they have
been deceived and misled by stump
orators and others into believing that
dsbt-payment means closing the free
schools throughout the State and so de-
privipg them of free education for their
children" These colored voters, Mr..
COOPER ought to recollect, number
more than one hundred and thirty
thousand. Why didn't he consult
them! And how can he expect the
Taxpayers Of Virginia to undertake to
propose q new settlement Of the public
debt without asking themselves whether
or not q solid negro vote is to be cast
against it
Mr. COOPER is not very well inform
ed as to the amount Of the debt which
be declares Virginia could SO easily
pay. lie remarks that in spite of GER
tain facts he had mentioned, "the
mother Of Presidents and whilom leader
Of the American Union cannot dis.
charge its obligation Of less than e200,-
600 per annum 5000, 387 to its credi-
tors" This sum is only the amount
Of coupons maturing annually. There
are millions Of bonds outstanding
which do not carry tax-receivable cou-
pons.
Mr.. COOPER says the Federal Con-
stitution reads as follows:
"No State can impair the obligation
Of contract"
Mr.. COOPER reports what was said
By Governor LEE in an interview be-
tween the two. He has no harsh words
for our distinguished Governor. Like
. genuine JOHN ByIL, Mr.. COOPER
recognizes the dignity of the Executive
Of great State.
Mr.. COOPER uses much harsh lau-
gusge in speaking Of Colonel RUFFIN,
and is not at all complimentary in
speaking Of the Dispatch and those who
agree with it in opinion on State-debt
questions. We shall not follow bad
example. Hard words never constitute
sound argument.
All Of Mr.. CooPER's assurances to
the bondholders as to what the Virginia
people are willing to do in this matter,
and as to what tho courts may be relied
upon to accomplish, need no other or
moro conclusive answer than may be
found in the fact that last Saturday
Msssrs. JOIN A. HAMILTON & Co.,
Of Baltimore, were compelled to quote
Riddles, which bear only 3 per cent.
interest. at GA to 6S, these being the
bonds Virginia is willing to pay, and a
the same time TO quote ccnsols at SO Il
SIS, and l0-40's at 40l to ALI, thes
being the bcndswhich Mr.. COOPER AM
\ the other bondholders and their agents
backed up by Mr.. STANLEY NAT
THrws, propose to make her pay
"Money talks"