Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-12-30
Extra sEssION AND GOV. LEE
How 20 Settle the Debt, &C., &e.-Lst-
ter from Hon. John y. Massey.


In discussing the question OF an extra
session Of the Legislature the Dispatch OF
the Dist instant makes the following sugges-
ton:
"Perhaps IL would be we'll for Dir. Bar
hour to call meeting OF the Democratic
Stale Central Committee to settle upon the
policy Of the party with respect to this
matter"
The Dispatch has been so uniformly cor
rect in Its positions (since we settled our
little family differences in Lynchburg) that
I feel great d1idence In dissenting from
ANYTHING II suggests. Yet, with all defer
ence to its superior sagacity, l must re-
spec,iulIy but einpLatically dissent from
this suggestion for several reasons.
In the first place any action OF any party,
through its leaders or otherwise, "a purity
movement would place Governor Lee In an
embarrassing POSITION.
Prior to his election he was the candidate
OF a party. but when, after his election, be
took the oath OF office he became the Gov.
ernor OF Virginia-of all the people OF pr-
ginio, of all parties.
I'm filling official positions each Admins
tration should select those and only those
who can honestly and faithfully cooperate
with il In its efforts to promote the general
welfare.
In all other official acts he should ignore
party.
IL Governor Lee has any doubt OF the
proprietv Of calling the Legislature together
in "extra session." let him consult or con.
fer with ,chom he pieaSeS, but let no step be
taken which eau subject him to the impu-
tation OF subordinating bis high prerogatiys
to party dictation. There are other reasons
why l canpot approve your suggestion,
but will nos now state them.
ASH have before stated believe an extra
session is necessary to properly guard and
protect the most important interests OF tue
State, and, II held, | hope all will come to-
gethcr and work together with an eye single
to the best interests OF the whole state, ADD
leave party strifes behind them.
The State debt Is the most important sub
ject which will be before the Legislature.
am frequently asked what the Legisla-
ture can do with regard to 1t.
can state in few words some OF the
things which 1t can and | think ought
to do:
1. Pass bill prohibiting the funding
under the Riddeberger bill Of any bond
from which the coupon which natures
July /, 1887, has been detached.
9. Propose an amendment to the COnsti.
tuition, to be submitted to the next Legis-
lature, providing that no future Lesisla-
ture shall, after the adoption OF said amend
ment. make any provision for the payment
| OF any bond which has not been funded
under the Riddleberger bill, except those
held by schools and colleges.
Il prefer this mode OF thus amending
the Constitution because it can be done
| thus more expedtiously than by calling a
Constitutional Convention.)
3. Transfer, with some few necessary
| executions. the assessment and collection OF
revenue to the counties and cities OF the
|. Commonwealth.
| The thought OF Offering, receiving, or
considering any other terms OF settlement
than those contained in the Rlddleberger
bill should not be entertained for m1ment'
"Do not these propositions SAVIOR OF re-
pudiation5"
Before answering this question let US con-
slider few historical facts.
AlwhO are familiar with the passage Of
the funding bill Of 1871, which sappcd th'
foundation Of state sovereignty ana de
priyed the State of the power To conlr0
her revenues for thirty.four years, kn0"
that it could not have been passed but iol
the fraudulent use Of money, which wa:
furnished by bondhOlders or their agents
! do not mean that all who voted for thai
bin were thus Influenced. Some who yOte(
for it were IA hgh-toned and honorable
men as tread Virginia soil. But do meal
TO say the bill could not have been pdSSet
but for the corrupt Use Of money furnished
for that purpose.
For ten years the people bore the intoI
cradle and unjust burden this fraudulen
bill imposed When they could no l0nge
bear 1t they did not retaliate by Offering
their oppressOrs less than justice ant
equity dictated, but proposed to pay thei
creditors about dOt.bie the amount the,
ought TO paw.
How has this liberal offer been met?
BY insults, taunts, and threats.
By dragging the State, like culprit, Z
the bar OF partisan court.
BY seeking TO bride taxpayers to diSobe.
the laws OF Virginia, and offering TO deien,
them and to save them harmless in thei
| disobedience OF their own laws.
by seeking so to arouse the cupdity
) lax. PAYERS as TO make 1t override bot
their patriotism and seli-respect.
, By seeking through partisan court
deter officers OF the State from 0beyiD
state laws.
In word, they have been swift to ava
themselves Of every opportunity TO haras
| and humiliate Virginia and Virginilns.
Now, my propositions are equivalent
I. saying to the bondholders: eve hav
made you liberal offer; 1t is the only on
e we shall ever make you. Accept that Q
nothing. II you intend to accept It at al
o YOU must do it speedily. II you fail
! step in before the Limitation expires 20
! will find the door closed, never to be r
i opened. II you call this reputation, 20
n may console yourselves with the recolie'
i. ton that it is the work OF your on
hands"
Twill never advocate paying one dolli
to those who reject the settlement oticrt
: In the Riddleberger bill and seek TO C
IS cree the State TO comply with their d
- m1nds. john Il. MASSEY.
a Ash La,cn, December %, 1856.
i