Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-28
The Crisis.
TO the Editor of the Dispatch :

10 me EduOf OF ne DtSputch :
Several weeks since an article APP
pesIed in the Dispatch touching the
crisis growing out Of the State debt.
Assuming what will not be denied, that
the question, or the real status Of the
State, was involved in serious and ex-
traordinary complications, which would
require not only time and labor for
thorough inves tigation by the ablest
jurist and statesmen, it was suggested
TO appoint three Of the most eminent
men 10 examine all the enactments Of
our Legislature, provisions of the
Constitutions State aud Federal
and the various decisions of the
higher courts, and ascertain and report
what was the real condition Of the sub
ject, and what, if any, the course to
give relief TO the State. This course
appears indispensable to any safe and
intelligent action by the Legislature
and might relieve us Of the eXpediency
and strategic enactments which have
proved costly and fruitless of relief.
When England was alarmIngly involved
in financial embarrassment the great
statesman William Pitt was the only
man v o came forward, or was ap-
pointed, and gave TO that country
financial measures which restored or
der out of confusion and gave
relief to the nation. In the ear
" history Of the United States
when, after the revolution, confusion and
distress in money matters gathered as a
dark cloud over the nation, and Con-
gIess. with great men in that body,
could DO nothing, the ability and skill
Of Moriiss were illustrated in measures
which in time gave relief. Neither the
Parliament of England or Congress Of
the United States relied upon catching
at every floating expedient for tempo
TaTy relief. but followed the lead of the
great minds which conceived and formu-
lated substantial and wise measures. Ii
may be our misfortune that we have no
Pitt or MorIiss in our State. Although
when men are nominated for office the
candidate is heralded as Solomon in all
his glory, yet the same candidate,
when confronted with the duties and
responsibilities Of Office, is dwarfed
and dwindles into the dimensions Of an
ordinary man or fancy stump-speaker.
Yet it is hoped that there are some
eminent men yet in our State who are
capable Of investigating even the Diff
cult problem Of the debt question, and
could plan some safe and Ineligible
scheme Of relief. Such a commission
ought to be composed Of men Of differ
ent capacities from those who might be
sent as diplomatists to daily with and
conciliate West Virginia, already fixed
in her position, or with memorable
bondholders, whom nothing but the
bloody knife to cut out the pound of
flesh could move.
might mention as an example pro-
missing good from the course suggested
the case Of the State Of Virginia in
1850, when Judge Riyes, Federal dis
trict judge, violently and unwarranta-
bly, trampled on the Judiciary of the
State by sending his marshal to the
county Of Patrick and forcibly taking
from the Jail Of that county two colored
prisoners charged with murder in the
Circuit Court of the State. Very soon
the Legislature met and took up the
subject. All admitted it was fragrant
and outrageous attack and violation of
the sovereignty of the State and its
judiciary, but the difficulty. was as to
the remedy. Lawyers differed, and
many of the ablest could find none.
The Governor and Attorney-General
could find or suggest no remedy, and
so confessed. The Legislature autho-
Iized the Governor to employ counsel to
take such steps as might be proper. In
pursuance of this authority, Judge
Robertson, OF Charlottesville, was EN-
ployed. and he did proceed by man
damus before the Supreme Court OF the
United States, and succeeded in re-
versing Judge Rives's action, and had
the criminals restored to the custody
and jurisdiction OF the State court,
where they were regularly tried. 1t
may be stated that this was not ex-
pected by the profession in Virginia,
and was not conceived by the Governor
or Legislature.
Such might be the result, if the Gov
enor was authorized to employ the
ablest men, call it commission or
council, to investigate the State debt
andrecommend some measure Of relief.
Without a full statement and examine
ton Of the subject, in view of the de-
cisiOn Of the Supreme Court Of the
United States, it is impossible for the
wisest man to advise and suggest meas
u1es. Nothing of this sort will be &C
complished by commission of potiti-
clans to carry out the suggestions OF
the Governor. CHATHAM.
Coupons.
II D Al