The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-12-03

hOinan, say II am VlrEtnian."
Mr.. Lucien II. Cooke said this was
the first time he had ever had an oppor-
tunity, in public meeting, to say any
thing with regard TO the debt question
of Virginia, and 1t was q matter of pc
culiar qualification to him to be able to
congratulate the people of Virginia that
the position the State has taken through
out so many years has been vindicated
the first time that disinterested tri-
bunal has ever been called upon to pass
upon the position which she has taken.
MIR. n. V. johnson represented the
commercial men and he unreservedly
Endorsed the settlement proposed by
the committee. Virginia cannot pay
her debt John w. Daniel has said so
and so has William Malone, but there
Is one thing that can be done and that
is settle it. He spoke in fiattering
terms of the gentlemen who have sue
ceeded in bring about this settlement
and thought they should have monu-
ment as high as that Of Washington in
the capital city.
MIR. James s. Simmons said that the
plan proposed by the commissioners for
the settlement of the State debt will be
hailed with equal delight in all parts of
tnls commonwealth. The adjustment
OF this vexed question removes bar
rier that has done more TO retard the
progress and prosperity of Virginia
than anything else. The State can
now enter upon new era Of prosperity.
With tho debt settled money will come
into the State and the hidden wealth of
Southwest Virginia will be developed
and the State will take her proper
place in the Union.
We want to settle up our debt, restore
ndxrn-A
bring the people hero from the North
and from the West and from the Great
waters, show them our beautiful coun-
try and they will say Southwest Vir-
ginia has glorious future.
The following resolutions wore pre-
scented by Mr.. w. A. Glasgow. Jr., and
unanimously adopted by tho meeting:
whereas, it has always been the
desire of right-minded citizens of Vir-
ginia that the public debt of the State
should be settled by fair and ami
cable negotiation between the State
and Its creditors upon just basis;
And whereas, after long and bitter
litigation, which has been of no value
to the bondholders and expensive to
Virginia, bondholders' committee
was selected, composed of men of the
greatest integrity and unquestioned
business Judgment, and with whom
have been associated an advisory board
OF the first men of the country;
And. whereas proposition has
been submitted to the State by the
bond holders, committee,. heartily en-
dorsed by the advisory board, liking the
indebtedness of the State to paw and
upon favorable terms of payment;
And whereas it is important that the
Virginia debt should be forever re-
moved from the courts, and faith in the
public credit of the State re-esta blishcd:
BE 1T resolved. That it is the sense
OF this NEE ing of the citizens of Roa-
noke, that it is especially important at
this crisis of Virginia's development,
That every effort be made to forever re-
move from the courts the question of the
State S indebtedness, and TO re-establish
Inc credit of the State beyond question,
so that our development, just begun,
may lead with unfaitering steps to tho
posltlon we should occupy among our
sister States;
III. That our senator and representa-
tive Ill the general assembly be urged
to use overy effort to secure Virginia's
acceptance of tho proposition of settle
ment offered by the 'bondhclders' COM
mlttee, so that in case the settlement
rails, the burden of its rejection NAV
not rest upon the State of Virginia, but
That, on the contrary she may show her
Willingness to settle upon u fair and
equitable basis.
iii. That copy of these resolu.
lions, duly attested by the presiding
officer, be forwarded immediately to
our senator and delegate at Richmond"
In Offering the resolutions Mr.. Glas-
gov said he had grown tired of hearing
the debt question of Virginia discussed,
and he was glad that basis has been
reached upon which fair settlement
can be obtained.
MIR. j. Allen Watts seconded the reso.
!utlons. He had not attended the meet
ing for the purpose of making a speech.
but he desired to say that at no time in
the past. and he hoped no time in the
future, will he be ashamed to sign him
sell as from Virginia at any place in
the world.
Let thls debt be paid or unpaid, and let
III De shouted in the mouths of bondhold-
ers and bankers all over the world that
virginia is disgraced; ha. for one, will
never be ashamed of the STATE of Wash
lngton, OF Jefferson. of Henry, of Jack
son, OF Lee; the State that has done
more for freedom, has done moro for
civilization than any Stat in this Union.
Mr. w. e. Bib, like Mr.. Watts, was
proud of the fact that he was a Vir.
glnian. He always has been ono and
always will be. He favored the debt
settlement and said it is one that can be
recommended to tho people. lie con.
demned the proposed act in 1871 and
claimed it was proposed by the bond
holders who went to Richmond and
bought the legislature.
Before the meeting adjourned Mr.. e.
q. Pechin offered the following resolu-
ton in regard to Virginlas exhibit at
the Worlds Fair:
RESOLVED, That we, citizens of R ,an-