Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-04-15
MISUNDERSTANDING Is, 1886.
BradY'e Rill-Again.

The long preamble and propositions
offered in the House Of Representatives
on Monday by Mr.. BRADY were even
worse than We had supposed they were
when We had read only the telegraphic
statement Of their contents. The paper
was evidently prepared with great care,
and doubtless after full and free con-
sultation with General MALONE. 1t
quotes from the opinion Of the Supreme
Court of the United States in various
cases to show that State can pass no
Law impairipg the obligation of con-
tracts, ss if anybody in Virginia held
the contrary doctrine. 1t refers also
to that provision Of the Federal Consti-
tuition requiring State officers to take
an oath TO support that Constitution, IS
If there we're anybody in Virginia igno-
rant Of that fact.
Mr.. BRADY figures in this matter as
ga smart ALEcK," as the boys phrase
it. After charging that Governor LEE
and other State officials have been
guilty Of multiplying decisions Of the
Supreme Court of the United States,
because they seek method of saving
the State from being crushed by those
decisions, be goes on to "nullify"
another decision Of the same court.
He proposes that the President Of the
United States be authorized to appoint
Q board Of commissioners to consist Of
three members, citizens Of the United
States, learned in the law, taken from
civil life, whose duty it shall be, as
soon as practicable, to make COM
plete investigation and report, under
such rules and regulations as may be
prescribed by the Attorney General Of
the United States, approved by the
President
First. Whether or not the present
State Of West Virginia was formed
within the jurisdiction of the State Of
Virginia without the consent of the
Legislature Of the State Of Virginia.
Now, il Mr.. BRADY will look at
1l1 Wallace, and read the opinion Of
the Supreme Court Of the United States
in the case Of "Virginia rs. Vest Vir-
einia," be will find that the question
which be would appoint board to in-
vestigate was settled many years ago by
that tribunal. Is he anxious to "nul-
lily" that decision? If not, for what
purpose does he desire his Board to re-
port whether the Virginia that gave her
consent to the erection Of the new State
of West Virginia was the real Virginia
or only a fraudulent Virginia? The
Supreme Court and Congress and Presi-
dent LINCOLN all decided this question
in the affirmative twenty years ago, and
Ut this late dag Mr.. BRADY proposes
to "nullify the decisions Of all three
departments Of the Federal Govern
ment.
If not, what is the object Of his bill?
1t is to create prejudice against the
Democratic party in the minds of the
people Of the North. lie cares nothing
for the good name of Virginia. He is
after party advantage. General Ma
HONE did not dare to offer those reso-
buttons in the Senate. Mr.. BRADY
will lose his district by his trsachery to
his State. There are many virginians
among the Republicans in his district
willing to 60 to Congress even from
such State as Virginia, and who are
fighting to-day for the RIDDLEBER-
GER settlement. We understand Mr..
BRADy's bill to indicate that he no
longer stands by the RIDDLEBER.
GER bill that be will make no
further attempt to save the State
from being bankrupted by the Supreme
Court Of the United States but if Con-
gress refuses, as he knows it will re-
fuse, to pay even so much as one dollar of
virginia's debt, he will then and there
aftsr advocate the levyiug in Virginia
Of taxes high enough to enable the State
to redeem ell her coupons, and be
smiled upon by Mr.. Justice NAT
rHKws and his four usurping Asso-
ciate Justices.
Go on, Mr.. BRADY. You are play.
ing into the hands Of your enemies in
your own party. You have suffered
yourself to be completely misled, not
TO say fooled.