Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1888-02-17

ton OF swine plague, annually de.
structive of many millions of dol,
lars worth of hogsf Why was tho
duty OH wool reduced in 1883 and
no corresponding reduction in the
case OF woolcn goods, II nut be-
cause wool is an agricultural pro-
ductf And why does Mr.. Cleve-
land now recommend the duts to
be entirely taken OFF of wool and
the duty on WOODEN goods left un
disturbed ! 1t is because agricul.
turc is not represented by any au.
thOritntive voice iii the executive
and Legislative branches of tho
government. But, fellow farmers,
l beg to remind you that we still
have votes. Why have the pro-
ducts of agriculture under the
name and styld of raw materials
been singled out Tor taxation while
all tie hortles of millionaires are
covered up and hidden away out of
sight and left exempt from taxation
OF all kinds; often,.Eindced, paid
bonuses by the government But
| have some moro to set down to
the charge of the Federal Govern.
lnent in this bill Of particulars in
behalf Of our State.
THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
AND STATE DEBT.
"Let itnot be forgotten that tho
government came upon us and de
spoiled us OF millions of our prop
erty, and moreover, dismembered
our territory illegally, unconstitu
tienally and by force of arms. Let
it bc remembered that these wrongs
have never. been righted, and.
further, that II right can never be
distinguished, nor II wrong nude
right BY force OF arms. While the
lliddleberger bill is II settlement
with Virginia's creditors, it is not II
settlement with tho United States.
We1maintnn that the demands of
all creditors of the State of Virginia
are good against the United States
until paid. Let them give us back
West Virginia and we will pay tho
last dellar of nNtc boiiWl debt due
upon any calculation, or elso let
the government which by violence
and illegal iorco destroyed oui
ability to pay, assume the debt.
In this demand ihc agricultural
masses should come up as IL solid
phalanX To the support of the Com.
monweallh. At least in the name
of decency, if not oijustice, let the
Charge of reputation against Vir.
ginia cease. We hurl it, back into
Tie teeth Of the government which
by illegal force, 1 say, deslro. c,l
our ability to pay. No other State
Of the Union has or can bc deult
with as Virginia has been, and by
doing Justice to her the govern
ment WILL establish no precedent.
~ recommend to this body that
they perfect IL bill for the enlarge
ment of the Agricultural Depart
mcnt of the State, and when per
ieclcd its passage be earnestly in.
sisted upon before the Legislature
adjourns.
ovEKBURDESED WITH TAKES.
al think, moreover, we should fle.
mand revision Of the Tax Bill, for
our business is undoubtedly taxed
by the State out OF all proportion
to the burdens borne by other in.
dustrics, aud out of all proportion
to the ability Of agriculture to pay.
Not only do you have the great
weight Of Federal, State and local
taxation, but the still heavier weight
of railroad taxation.
"Hhe earth has not failed under
the gniding hand Of Providence to
yield her fruits; yet, since the Red
man departed westward, leaving
us his seed corn and tobacco. never
has agriculture been SO depressed
as now and for some years past,
never; especially in the tobacco and
grass aud grain growing sections.
When we hear that the country is
marvellously prosperous, we know
that if this lie true other interests
arn prnat,nriur ar at ot1r ov,oucn nnI