Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-11-03
Smart ON the Debt Question.

Since putting Mr.. ROYALS letter into
the hands of the printer, we have come
across the following letter from Judge SrU-
ART, Speaker OF the House OF Delegates.
II II had been written as reply to Mr..
ROYALS letter 1t could not have been a
more complete answer to it. The fact that
Mr.. JOHNSON is the man with whom Judge
STUART is engaged In discussion does not
prevent his letter from telling just what
every reader ought TO know.
Judge stuart Oh the Debt Question.
To the Editor Of The Alexandria Gazette:
had supposed Colonel Marye's reply to
Mr.. Cooper's letter to be one which could
only be properly answered by the person to
whom ii was addressed, but as the answer
comes from another source, and is gene
rally backed up by the Gazette, II Is per-
missible for me to reply In response To as.
saults upon the General Assembly OF Viz
GINA: for your editorials and Mr.. John.
sons letters, while directed at the officers
OF the state government, are really
directed at the Legislatures OF 1855
"a and OF 1886, inasmuch as the
former were and are simply obeying laws
passed by the latter. As member OF
those bodies, as one who voted Tor the
measures now denounced, please let me
remind you that II sometimes happens
when vol, are lleast aware Of It ga chiefs
amsng We taking notes. and In tins IN
stance faith he'll prent 'em. / need only
recall TO your attention the facts, now
passed into history, that the debt-settle-
ment OF 1ST0-'7l was repudiated by the
people al the first session OF the next Le-
eislaime after its passage; that the wisest
measure ever penned for its settlement
the Barbour bill-was vetoed by the
Governor; that the McCulloch bill
was repudiated by the vote OF
the State, and its advocates in
the Legislature and its supporters
who were candidates for Governor
and the other State offices overwhelmingly
defeated; that Malone took charge OF
and for a time Repubiicanized virginia;
that every material interest OF virginia,
its railroads, Its courts. Its municipal gov
ernments, ITS congressional represe ntation,
its asyiums, It's schools and colleges-all
that makes a State-were threatened. To
bring YOU 10 the year 1885, There assem-
bled then In Lynchburga grand gathering
OF representative Nirginans to formulate
platform upon which our Democracy
might stand. As a member OF the conn.,
miltee which framed that platform, | eau.
not use my own language 10 commend II,
but ere / quote II let me quote that said OF
II by one whose utterances are entitled to
weight, As follows:
1.-THE platform speaks for itself. and In 80
concise and peispcnoas that all who run
may read 10, and those who do NO, II thoy
be reasonable and unprejudiced men. car
but admire and appreciate its wisdom. ant
see the benefits that must accrue 10 IN,
State from the operation Of Its principles.
Need I say TO YOU, Mr.. Editor. that
quote your editorial OF July 20. 1883
And now what was the debt plank in IN
platform thus eulogized by youS Here 1t Is
1--WE oppose any increase of taxation
Whatsoever, directly or indirectly" second
"The Democratic party accepts rs final tn
recent settlement Of the public debt, pro
nounced constitutional by the courts OF las
resort, state and Federal, and will oppos
all agitation OF the question or any disturb
snee Of that settlement by appeal or other
wise"
It's ,ciStiom was demonstrated by a grea
victory at The next election; and tb,
"bfnefiis which accrued 10 the state from
the operation Of It's principles were the
refnion OF divided party and the perpetu,
alton OF Democratic rule. Your editorial
was prophetic. Shall we now declare that
this plank was intended merely 10 secure
victory and then be receded fromf But
Mr.. Jobbson's letter must also be read In
the Hight OF the last platform. which Is as
follows:
The Democratic party heretofore
pledged its final acceptance OF the settle
mept OF the public debt known ~ the Sd.
dleberger bin. which had then been de-
clared constitutional by the courts. state
and Federal. and IL opposition TO ali fur
Their agitation OF the question or any dis
tuTbance Of that settlement by repeal or
otherwise.
"9his pledge WAS observed with scrupu-
lous ndelisy on the part OF its representa-
tiyes BY the enactment OF ell needfui and
proper measures Of legislation, and the
Etste OF Virginia would have been forever
heed from the barsssng demands OF public
creditors but for the sudden and inequita-
be reversal Of its own decision by . Re-
publican court, rendering still further iegis-
iAtiop necessary for the protection OF the
State"
Surely nothing can be palmer than this
declaration OF q convention composed OF
over one thousand Virginia Democrats
Mr.. johnson was not only member OF the
Convention which adopted this platform,
Ae UW . member os TIE committee which