Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-12-21
An Extra Session.

n the welfare OF the Commonwealth de-
ponds upon the perpetuation OF the Demo-
cratic party, 1t follows, so II seems 10 us,
that an extra session OF the General Assem-
bIy ought 10 be held this winter-of course
not before February. II, on the other
hand, the people are willing too the
State government turned over 70 the ne
groes and their white allies, then an extra
session ought not TO he held this winter.
We regret TO have TO acknowledge that
there sa difference Of opinion upon the
question Of the expcdiency OF holding an
extra session. Perhaps 1t would be well
for Mr.. BARBOUR to call a meeting OF the
Democratic State Central Committee to set
tie upon the policy Of the party with respect
to this matter. There Is danger even in the
discussion OF II in the newspapers. What
ever ground a paper may take in the be-
ginning 1t Is very apt TO occupy ut the end
OF the discussion. And We do not pretend
20 claim to be any freer from that sort OF
human weakness than are our editorial
brethren.
As at present advised, we cannot sup.
pose that the Democratic party would be
willing to 90 into an election ten months
hence for new Legislature under such
condition OF things as now exists relative
10 the public debt. However sincerely we
may desire the people to understand the
merits OF the case, and however true 1t may
be that II the people as rule pay their
taxes In coupons one year, they will have
to pay that much more in money ct some
future day, We are bound to own TINT in
diyidual persons may be induced by their
own selfish interests to act upon the theory
that only few taxpayers will ever use
coupons, and so they may safety use them
without fearing that in the future they will
have 10 suffer in purse for having done so.
Ii is true that comparatively few coupons
were used In paying the State taxes for the
year ending December 1st. But 1t is said
that in some counties Rockingham, for
One-there are a good many persons who
have paid neither with money nor coupons,
who will yet use coupons il they find that
their neighboIs who have already used cou-
pOns are not molested therefor. Again: A
few months hence the license taxes will
again fall due, aud II the merchants gene
rally should follow the example OF the
northern dulmmers and tender coupons to
pay for their licenses, an extra session Of
the Legislature would at once become in
dispensable.
But let us assume that the condition or
things will become no worse between now
and next fall. and how will the Democrats
meet their opponents on the stump and In
the press. when they charge that Demo-
cratic Legislature has brought the debt
question into worse condition than it was
in when they acceded to powerY Here we
are confronted by the danger Of discussion,
and must leave il to the reader to follow up
the thread Of this argument to legitimate
conclusion.
There are some persons few, We know
who are In favor Of holding an extra ses.
sion for The purpose OF considering the
proposition winch il is alleged the bond.
holders have made, not to any person or
body authorized TO receive il, but in a meet
ing Of their own. The advocates OF an en-
TIA session need not fear opposition from
any persons, Republicans or Democrats.
who favor that scheme.
IL l. argued that there ought 10 be no
extra session because the people have made
up their minds that they will make no
further concessions TO the bondhoders. II
an extra session Is to be held at all, the
Legislature will he convened for the very
reason that the people look to the Demo
cratic party so TO legislate rs TO render ef-
fective the Riddleberger bill, and TO avoid
The necessity Of making any further con-
ctssions 70 the bondholders. We wouldn't
like 10 insure the election OF fifty Demo
cratic members OF the present Legislature
il all OF them have TO 60 before the voters
upon their record az debt-settlers, or have
10 take the stump to convince the people
that they have done all ,tat was possible
towards settling the debt question.
An extra session would cost not more
than forty or fifty thousand dOlars-a sum
not worth considering In this connection.
To refuse TO bold an extra session in order
TO save forty thousand dollars, and then to
have 10 meet next fall before the voters the
charge that the failure to hold an extra ses-
zion had cost the tax PAYERS ten times that
sum, would make a good many OF our
legislators feel as II they had "b,tten OF
more than they could chew"
1.-The Code OF Virginia Is ever to be pro-
perry revised, It must be done at an extra
session, as the revision OF forty years ago
was made. surely the work OF the presen,
reyisers will be richly worth fifty thousand
dollars to the people Of Virginia.
This last, however, Is secondary motive
With us. The one moving consideration
with Us Is that the Democratic party cannot
afford TO 60 into new election with the
debt question in the deplorabIe condition
In which IL now stands.
\ Convene the State Central Committee,
MIR. BARBOUR. There are rapids ahead Of
the Democratic party.