Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-05-05
wEDNESDAY..........MAY 5, 1886.
Virginia and the Blair Bill.

virginia would seem to indicate clearly
that our congressman will fail to do
their duty If they allow the current
session Of Congress to come to an end
without having done oil that in their
power lies to secure the passage OF the
BLAIR bill itself-not the GRAIN SUBJ
stitute for that bill.
A few days ago We asked the Nor.
folk Ledger . question the purport of
which may be gathered from thstpaper's
reply. The Ledger says:
In writing the article to which the Dis
p0fch alludes, IL was stated that the writer
had not seen the Blair bill as II passed the
Senate, and IL was his impression that
sOme of the Objectionable amendments
which were suggested during the discussion
prior TO its passage might have been
passed the Senate the 9Th OF March has
since been received and carefully read and
there appears TO us no ground for objection
on the score indicated.
The Labor Committee has. by the substi-
tute reported, decided that IL is not only
right but desirable that the cause OF pub
Tic education In the several states ana Ter.
ritories should he assisted by the Federal
Government. This being so, the question
arises. In what manner should the assist
ance be rendered 90 as TO accomplish tbe
desired result the greatest good 10 tne
greatest number? VIII the BAR Din,
which proposes to apportion the money on
the basis OF illiteracy or the substitute:
which proposes to divide IL on the basis OF
population. better accomplish that pur-
pose? II Ia only neceS airy TO ask the ques'
ton TO have 1t answered I'm favor of the
Blair bill
Let us look at this question exactly as 1t
will have TO be looked at II the action OF the
Labor Committee defeats the Blair bill. IL
will not do for Democratic candidates for
congressional bonors in Virginia TO say that
the measure proposed by the New Hamp.
shire senator Ii not constitutional when
one purporting TO accomplish the same
puI pose has been reported by Democratic
committee Of the House. The question will
be, Which measure promises greater results
In the matter OF education-the Blair blu.
which divides according TO illiteracy. or the
Labor Committee substitute, which divides
according 10 population?
Is IL desirable, is 10 expedient. is IL polite.
fora Democratic House 10 permit the defeat
OF a measure which promises greater re.
suits than the competing measure which Is
brought forward In that body? We think
not. So far as Virginia liz concerned the
political party In the state. for Its advocates
constitute the great majority OF both par
ties.
Mr.. GEORGE, Of Mississippi, one of
the ablest lawyers in the United States
Senate, and who was once president of
the highest judicial tribunal in his State,
discussed recently the question of the
copstitutionality of the BLAIR bill in
all its aspects, considered every point
that could be made, and triumphantly
met every objection that could be
raised to that bill on the score Of I'M
constitutionality. Besides, Mr.. GAR
LAND, the present Attorney General Of
the United States, voted for the BLAIR
bill when it was passed by the Senate.
So did Governor JOE Brown, Gov
ernor CoLQUITT, Judge JACKSON,
General WADE HAMPTON, Governor
CALL, PueH, RANSOM, JONAS,
JONES, WILLIAMS, &c. And where is
there . more profound constitutional
LAWYER than Hon. j. L. NJ. CURRY.
who SO ably advocated the BLAIR bill
for yearsg We cannot think that any
member Of the House of Representatives
from Virginia will ever 80 before his
constituents and ask to be excused for
opposing that bill on account of its un.
constitutionality. That question ought
to be considered as settled. Even if
there were room for doubt, the benefit
of the doubt ought to be given to the
bill.
Again The BLAIR bill has already
been passed by the Senate during its
present session, whereas the GRAIN
bill, even If 1t could pass the House of
Representatives, would have to DO sent
to the Senate. j.
But as We have already said, our
congressman must be presumed to know
that their constituents desire that the
BLAIR bill shall become law. II
they refuse to be bound by the wishes
Of their constituents, so be it.