Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-12-23
The Extra Session.

One % the most important questions Of
the day--in Virginia, at lelst--i'. Shall the
General Assembly bc convened in extra
session this winter for the purpose Of legi>-
lating upon the subject Of the state debt;
We ponderod the question long and any
iousIy. and, coming at last TO the conclusion
that il ought to be answered IN the atirma-
tive, we wrote on Monday an article stating
In general terms what we deemed It proper
10 say upon the subject, adding that there
were reasons why full discussion Of the
proposition TO hold an extra session was
hardly polite.
We are glad 10 find in The Wig the fol-
lowing:
ali the General Assembly should meet
ard do something that would entctu lily
solve the debt problem ii would acco npli'h
the most benefcent legislation that has been
enacted in the Commonwealth since the
war. But il it should meet and fail to ac-
Complsh anything in thi, direction, what
then! Would the party be in any better
plight to enter a contest on the debt qucs-
ton than Il Is now? II il i.abSoutely ne
cesSary for the General Assembly 10 be
called for any specific, adequate purpose,
the WHO will not needlcssiy oppose II.
But ~ an extra session shall result in no
IMPROVEMENT over the legislation OF the
regular session, we would indeed be Will
fully blind not 10 ioresec that il would be
an almost irreparable misfortune from
party standpoint"
We concur in every opinion expressed in
l., hot
sible TO know beforehand what the Legis-
lature will do, 1t j. also impossible TO know
whether the extra session would result in
that benefit to the Democratic party and
consequently to the people at large which
we hope would follow its assembling.
The inder. appeal has two articles Gu the
zane subject. We quote from one OF
them:
"The foregoing leaves no room FOR
: doubt i'm our mind that there VIII be an
extra session Of the Legislature; but we
do not corcede that an extra session will
necessarily insure the perpetui,iOa OF the
Democratic party In power in this State.
On the contrary, this session will be
fraugbt with grave responsibilities and
perils for the Democratic party. At the
same time, II will afford the party magni.
6eent opportunity Of seli-preparation and Of
patriotic service 10 the state, II Il possesses
the sagaciiy 10 seize the golden opportunity
TO settle the public DEBT in consonance
with the principles OF honor and Jus.
tice. II. however, the Legislature is 10 be
convened as late as February simply TO en-
act obstructive measures that will block
the use Of coupons for the payment Of May
licenses before the courts can intervene 70
pronounce those measures null and void, the
Democratic party will then incur for itself
the weight OF an accusation for temp0rlzlng
and procmstination that will crush il ire
coyefably In the next campaign. Failure
al the extra session 10 settle the debt per-
maHef,tiy will be sure 10 Involve forfeiture
OF opportunity thereafter, and the Repub-
licsn rarty will be summoned again 10 try
IT. hand at the work."
We mentioned February" because
that month Is already very near US. We
had no such reason as the Iade1. appeal
hints ut for naming that mouth. On the
contrary. the sooner the Legislature meets
the better will be the opportunity afforded
TO those who favor additional obstructive
legislation 10 accomplish their object.
We have no desire and no intention Of
engaging In any controversy upon the pro.
position 10 convene the Legislature Ia
extra session. II that proposition does
10! commend Itself Il once 10 the isvora. ]