Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-03-13
WEDNESDAY,. MARCH 10. 1889
Let Than Pay Il.

Gazette has never ceased, we believe, TO ad'
yocste the payment by Virgins OF her debt
ss ascsrtaiped by the funding bill OF 1871
and vet has never failed 10 support any man
whom the Democrats had nominated for
Governor or any other high Office or posi-
ton. Over and over again has IL by neces-
ssry Implication pronounced the Virgins
Democrats repudiationists. In fact, tseems
TO see no inconsistency In deuouncing the
platforms Of the Virginia Democracy at the
sxrpe time that It IL advoestiuR the election
OF The men who stand upon those platforms.
Here's q Characteristic paragraph from our
Alexandra contemporary:
"Resders OF the Gazette know that for
year past Il has expressed its fear that In The
next State campaign the Republicans would
declare for the settlement OF the state oe0t
by accepting the terms OF the creditors, ana
thereby either force the Democrats to follow
them into debt paying. as they did into re-
.pudiation, or else 70 avow themselves ~ the
repudiating party In Virginia"
Why should the Gazette feor action on
the part OF the Republicans looking to pay
ment OF the State debt? Let them pay II, we
saw. They would run no risk in advocating
its payment; for their negro troops will
fight ss vaiantly for paying fifty millions OF
the debt as for repudiating the whole OF 1t.
They have no choice in the matter.
We are sure OF one thing, however. and
that Is that the Democrats OF Virginia will
not this year declare In favor OF settling
the State debt upon any other terms
than those offered TO the bondholders in
the RIDpLsBERGEH bill The State will be
compelled TO repudiate out and out many
millions OF her debt as 1t was sscertained TO
be In 1871. She then, without consulting
West Virginia, turned over fifteen millions
OF the debt TO that State; and as West
Virginia has never paid q dollar OF 1t,
and intends never TO pay dollar oil
Il, and ss IL bears per cent. interest, u
Il clear case that the fifteen millions
have grown to be over thirty millions.
These thirty millions Virginia Will OF course
Yepudsste; aud when she begins the work oil
reputation she msy come TO the conclusion
that she might as we'll be hanged for steal
ing sheep as for steslin : 9 lamb and so go
on and repudiste the whole debt. Isit more
discreditable to repudiate a debt OF forty
millions than one Of fifteen miilionss
When Virginia assigned fifteen millions
one third OF her debt-to her daughter, so
called, she assumed the other thirty millions
two tbirds-herssli. As she has never paid any
OF this, or, II any, sum not worthy OF
mention, che still owes the thirty millions
OF principal. How many millions are to be
added for interest, we know not; but per-
haps twenty millions. Thus:
West virginia's share. with interest $50 1000
Virginiais share. without interest..... 3O000,0OO
Interest on yirginias share. 2OO0O.OOO
ssO,OOaOOO
where IL the lunatic who would advocate
The payment OF that amounti
The Gazette, TO justify It's fears in the
premises, quotes tie following paragraph
from the leading anti-Mabone Republican
paper IN Virginia. The Valley Viiginian
says:
eve are in for making asquare issue with
Lee and ElIyson aud the repudiating ele-
ment OF the Democratic party on this ques-
zion and policy The creditors are willing
to make o fair compromise II they are not
approached with the highwaymsn's logic
syour money or your life'-and are met 10
rational way by rational men for the plir-
pose OF settling the debt controversy upon
rational, honorable, and practical basis"
Again, we say let the Republicans pay the
debit they will But what says MA
HONE? Mr.. YosT, the editor OF the Valley
Virgiuiau, has no influence over the negroes
compared with that exercised over them by
MALONE. YosT couldn't carry q hundred
negroes In his county against the orders OF
MALONE.
We agree with our Alexandria contempo-
Ysry that the Slate debt is not yet settled (;
but we are confident tbatit would have been
settled years ago on the basis OF the RIDDLE
BERaER bill II 1t bad not been for the perni-
cious teachings OF the Gazette aud the few
obstinate Democrats In Virginia who have
approved those teachings. That paper and
those persons have encouraged unpatriotIc
and thoughtless people TO use coupons in
paving their taxes, and so hsve created every
year a small demand for tsx.receivable ccu'
pous. This has encouraged the bondholders
70 continue their war upon the Common
wealth. II no Vlrginisn had used coupon
after the RIDDLEBERGER bill became law in
1881 the State debt would have been settled
long ago. Those mischief. makers have been
the worst enemies the State has ever had.
They have dwelt In Virginia, and, whilst
standing up with their brethren, have fought
the battle Of the British SPECTATORS.
-