Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-05-08
THE DEBT LETTERS.
THE GOVERNORS POSITION AS TO
GRANTING INTERVIEW DEFINED.
Not Indisposed to Entertain the PROPOSE
tion, But Quieted by the Resolution
Creating the Commission.

The intimation thrown out in the DIS
PATCH yesterday that the meeting of the
Board OF Public Works at Norfolk had no
connection with the debt-settiement ques-
ton Is borne out by adviees from Nor
folk. These advices also show that the
matter the DrsPATcH published in the same
issue regarding the Olcott letter, and which
had not been printed before, was directly
IN the line of the inside facts of the case.
ACCURATELY STATED.
The DisPATcH's Norfolk correspondent,
writing under date Of yesterday, says:
!" The Staie-debt matter was not brought up or
allnedd % in tho board meeting. The Governor
said privately that the editorial In to-days Land
marx stated accurately the facts as 20 the COM
munications that have passed between him ana
the OlcOtt Committee on the subject OF con-
ference, and expressed In his judgment sound
Wow ne ~ tho nroper course 70 be pursued by the
Virginia commissioners
4 sEMf-OFFIcIAL UTrERASCE.
The editorial In the Landmark referred 20 an
tagOnizes the assumption Of certain papers that
Governor Mckinney IS indlsposed TO entertain
promptly the proposition for a settlement OF tho
debt, and in defining the Governors position
and the conditions that would render II COM
pctent for him 90 act may be regarded some
what In the light OF eemioficial utterance.
After quoting the resolutions constituting the
Virginia commission, which the LdndmdTk con-
siders n clear chart for any mariner TO steer by,
that paper says:
THE GUARANTEE OF GOOD PATH.
"These resolutions make a preliminary provi-
sion, ~ will BE- seen, that no proposal SHAH De
entcrtdiHed which Is not supported by deposit
In cash OF not less than one million dollars, IN
such depository as said commission shall desig-
nate, 10 insure the faithful performance OF the
proposals, If accepted and ratified. The other
provision Ia, as has been stated, that no
proposal shall be entertained which de-
parts from the act Of February II, 1882,
except in the particulars mentioned.
The committee, in its communication to
the Governor, has done nothing more than 70
say that It IL ready 90 submit a proposition, and
desires n day 20 be set for an interview with the
Governor for tho purpose Of explaining the pro
posal. IL says nothing whatever about having
complied with tho preliminary conditions, does
not refer 10 the net under which the state Conn
mission Is TO proceed, and does not indicate In
any way that il has complied with any OF the
conditions Of the resolution Of the General ASSEM-
bly,.
- SIMPLY ASKS An INTERVIEW
alt simply asks for an interview. The Gov
ernor has answered, and he did so promptly
calling the attention Of the committee 20 the
legislative act above quoted and 20 the TACT that
the committee In it's communication mas not IN
dicated any compliance with the conditions set
forth. He has said 20 them that whenever they
have complied with these conditions and 80 state
In writing he and his commission will be ready Tor
aconfcrence as early as may be desired: MnAtcvtr
the Governors personal disposition might be, MS
discretion must be controlled by the terms OF the
law, and ne must act distinctly upon the authori-
g. given him. His zeal would outrun his dlscre-
tOn II he did not require, before convenlng MS
commission at Richmond or anywhere else, a
distinct statement that the preliminary cohdl-
tons prescribed by the General Assembly ot Nir-
ginia for the entertainment OF any proposition
whatever looking 70 the settlement OF the DEBT
had been complied WITH