Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-02-19
vIRGINIA,s pEsPERATIoN.
Governor Lee Warns the Creditors
Against Popular Wrath.

RICHMOND, VA, Feb. 1s.-Gov, Fitz
Hugh Lee sent his first message 10 the
Legislature to-day, treating entirely Of the
State debt question. He calls the atten-
ton OF the Legislature to the recent de-
cisions rendered BY the Supreme Court OF
the United States which seriously AFFECT
the rights and interests OF Virginia. For
while we believe in the sovereignty OF the
State, and that under the constitution OF
the United States, she cannot be sued by
citizens within her limits or by those
without, aud while we recognize no dis
tinction between the State and It's officers,
because the State acts by its legislative,
executive, or its judicial authorities, and
can act in no other way. We are also
firmly persuaded that a constant conflict
between courts aud State is an agitation
TO the body polite, and should cease.
FURTHER EMBARRASSMENT FEARED.
Our financial condition, already sutii-
ciently embarrassed, Will, IL is feared, be
still further complicated by them, and it
behooves all departments of the State
government to labor and confer together
so that II possible a remedy may be pro-
Vided. The people Of Virginia, after a
long and acrimonious agitation OF the
debt question, reached in 1881 and 1882 a
settlement which has since received the
sanction OF both political parties OF the
State. From the position thus taken the
people will not recede. That settlement
reflects still the overwhelming will OF
the majority OF the people Of the Com
mOnwealth that was reached after long
and exhaustive agitation, any renewal OF
which would be injurious to the interests
OF the creditors and of the State, and the
representatives of the people stand
pledged to its maintenance and should
invoke every resource of the law neces-
sary TO enforce its acceptance by the
creditors.
REMEDY SUGGESTED.
The Governor then gives a review OF
the States condition during and since the
war, and the present situation OF affairs
as 10 the possibility Of paying the debt,
and says:
But it is vain to recapitulate the difficulties
Of the situation, unless 1t be with the purpose
Of suggesting a remedy. After m lst careful
consideration Of the situation with a full sense
OF official obligations with consciousness OF
the difficulties which surround us, with
knowledge that the peril TO the settlement
which we have dssreed ls serious, earnestly
recommend 10 the General Assembly of Nir-
duties shall be plainly defined, and whose
poweers shall be carefully prescribed, guard
ed and limited.
ONLY EMPOWERED TO EXPLAIN.
That no misconceplion can be iudulged in
on the part OF anyone such commission should
be only empowered To explain the settlement
of 1881 aud 1882 TO creditors and point out that
which addresses itself 10 their interests as well
as TO the interests Of the State. IL should be
clothed with no other power and have no
other duties to perform but TO urge them to
accede 20 the settlement Virginia had de-
creed, TO represent how futile had been their
efforts in the past to resist the determination
Of our people, and that the future held out to
them only the prospect of interminahle litiga-
ton, Injurious alike to them and TO us, and
that the achievement of mere illusOry tri-
umphs in the courts are frought with no SUBJ
stantial advantages TO the litlRants on either
side.
POWER OF THE PEOPLES WRATH.
It would be the duty OF the commission to
point out to them the vast untried and unex-
pended power which resides IN a united and
rteOlute people and caution them against The
danger Of arOusing public sentiment which
might be forgetful Of all sense of justice, and
taking counsel only from passion, destroy the
interests which we are now striving TO pro-
tect. IL ls believed that 10 those holding the
outstanding Indebtedness of the State could
meet through their committee face TO face
such a commission here in Virginia or else
where, and hear and see for themselves. be
confronted by the stubborn facts as they exist
at present and be impressed with
the uncertainty which dwells in the
future, and arises from the unsettled problem
which constantly exasperates and hArasses
the public mind by fresh decisions Of the
courts, they would be willing 10 fund such
outstanding indebtedness into bonds OF this
settlement. such action upon their part solves
the problem and terminates the agitation.
VirRinA will act Ia good faith, and will pas
her debt thus ascertaiDed and acquiesced in
by both contracting parties because her reye-
nues will prove abundant 10 do so without
increasing the burdens upon her people.