Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-11-29
Mr.. starhe and the Debs.
RICHNoND, VA, November -, 1883
-. a.. fTaftor ~ tho DfaDafcns

To the Editor OF the Drpalci'
Nv attention has been called to a com.
munication published in the Dispatch OF the
oath instant. ~ which the writer has taken
unon himself to criticize reference made
by me TO the State debt in what | bad TO
say on the closing day Of the virginia Expo
siliOn.
shall not be led into a discussion OF The
Virginia debt question, since u - its settle
ment and not its further discussion las I'D,
writer alluded to seems 10 imseine) that VIII
do he greatest amount Of good Tor and most
thoroughly establish this State. An unin-
formed mind would reasonably conclude,
upon reading the communication % which
have referred. that the writer thereof had
been made sole guardian OF the states
finances, and that any expression differing
In any particular from what nc has concu0eu
iu the matter to be simpA presumption.
In ibis day | do not know who are recoe-
nzed IS statesmen. nor do ] know TO whom
the writer refers Ne such. TIE ola stand.
ard seems to have been lowered somewhat.
II be suppOses a conspicuous polticlan Is 90
that account a "statesmin' | am sure that
he p I'm error, and II they are "statesmen
VIM have finally decided that all has NOW
been done that can be done, and 10 So iar a'
the Siote debt is concerned we have only o.
rest where we are and wait FOR something 10
turn 10. then ! am convinced that some
Others outside Of statesmen" had better
take the matter IN hand. As II Is among the
strict businessmen we ild the greatest
financial successCs-and be c0nics,os iha'
" many Of them are able experts in then
speci3ties ''-fuancic0ng being necessarily
their chief specially. / am lead 10 think Chat
q trial Iu tins direction might possibly lead
10 results.
may sgain be wrong, but II the writer
referred 10 has proven anything 10 is Simply
that he I'm this communication no least is
neither siatesmln" nor a businessman.
His reference 10 the experiences % North
Carolina and Georgia. susceptible ~ being
construed into au intlmaiion th3taway down
IN his heart can bee seen reputation, and thal
he would give sly hnt 10 Others 'n this
direction. II those states "repudiaied,
and vet their securities are at premium to-
DAY. he has cerisinly-pcrhaps uuwtunelg-
suggested that virginia might slso repudiaie,
since her securities. Under the present con-
I ditiOn oi things, are far from being worth
par, and even on the Riddiehergcr settle
ment basis we could expect them 10 Be- Of no
higher rating than those OF the States named.
/ suppose that "siuce 1850, The period OF the
/ greatest agitation of the debt question. the
cauital invested 30 manufacture has been
+ greater than in the period from 1871 90
SS0."-dors thar prove Ia any way thai il
the debt matter bad been set ed and out OF
/ The way tnat we would not btYe had a sill
heavier increase Of such Investments:
We all understand thc questions ~ GIN
crease Of taxation "deprcciauon OF land
values" ''iacreise Of licenses 10 cities " NM
der certain contingencies. The dent com-
NISSAN Of 1857, and the laddIe7erger Dill
] OF The birth, nurture, adoption, d., u in'
last great deal ml-ht 5e SAID. ] "a, B
member " the Virginia Legislature when tla
debt commission Nstodus. Oi this commits
SION much might also De said. SO that my
stafu. lis 10 iho debt question is matter %
record.
The author Of the communication Affect, 20
be little sarcastic, weapon which avn loi
surprised TO ind selected by one as 0StNs %
/ argument
have no reason TO speak anything else
than lust what / honestly believe, hence
. do not hesitate to say, hg way OF iIlustla-
ton. that Il owed man a Jebt anI could
not settle It with his attorney, ! would 20 IN
the creditor himself and talk the matter with
him, especially when ihere "l, doubt 40 nav
/ MUD as 90 whether the 2riutl holder
ana owner % my Obligation Elmscf clearly
understood the whole bearing OF the case,
apd that he was allowed 90 act upon his oWn
/ Judgment apart from representations AMI
suggestions from his attorneys and other.
| When his has been thoroughly done, lo-
DOring everything and every body except iua
te tqcto owner Of the obligation, then / avn
let down on q platform about which there
can DE no mistake. a commits ion should Doe
| sent from mi. state 90 visit the English boud-
I holdors, and in saving ibis much MS not ue'
cessary % ask II propose 90 depart from Goo
/ Kiddlrbergcr basis of settlement
Thereaie TOO many reasons for such action
on the part Of Virginia 10 enumerate them,
II we accomplished nothing more than ha-
already been accomplished there viii be d
satisfaction 10 Us as state and an impression
made upon The world that VIII do Us ua
. harm.
Now. this may not Dee -taicsmanIike," but
submitthat II is businesslIke. hope TO be-
hardened fornOt desiring o. discuss The mat
fer further. A man is free from debt; DEL
hassone money; Dee is looking Tor home
he las hb0rcd hard FOR what he na- got; hf
will not likely Doe inclined 20 invest in state
that has q great debt upon her and thus be-
come party 10 that dout wDcn bee can hrd q
home I'm some other state free from such in-
cumbnnce. Thars business with HIM, sud
ali the statesmen" in Christendom caHl
make bin see It any other way.
ASHTON STarEr