Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1909-10-08


Republicanism had reigned, either in the
past or in recent years. He illustrated
this idea by the conditions created by
the Republican party in North Carolina,
in recent years, in Maryland. Kentucky,
West Virginia and other Southern States.
my fellow-eitizens, ne said, 'The
rule of the Republican party in every
Southern State. from the Potomac TO
the Rio Grande. from 1865 to the present
day, has been fraught with disturbances,
disgrace, disaster and ruin. The Re
publican party cannot point TO a single
Southern State where its rule has been
beneficent or has brought single bless
ing or benefit.
Good, honest, capable government
is neither q reminiscence or an aspira-
tion of Southern Republicanism. Their
control in the South has taught the
melancholy but sure lesson that Repub-
lican rule invariably ends in disaster
and disgrace. The truth of this fact
has been SO universally recognized. so
exemplified by sad experience, that
many persons who sympathize and vote
for the Republican party in national
elections invariably sustain the Demo
cratic party in the control of local af-
fairs. There are many patriotic Repub-
licans in this State who would view with
alarm any possibility OF Republican
success locally"
Finances.
Governor Swanson then showed how
the Democratic party had taken charge
of the finances of the State when the
treasury was bankrupt, when the State
was unable to pay it's officials and
teachers, when Virginia obligations and
bonds were almost worthless, ard
showed how the Democratic party had
settled the State debt, and had promptly
paid all of its obligations, so that the
value OF Virginia securities is now equal
TO any in the markets of the world. He
then showed how the Democratic party
had wisely brought about an amicable
settlement with the creditors of Vir-
ginia, and saved the State from the
stain of Reputation. lie showed that
the debt had been so wisely settled and
So satisfactorily to allc oncerned that no
one dared TO antagonize It,
| Governor Swanson said he had re-
quested the Second Auditor TO make q
comparative statement OF the settle
ment Of the State debt under the Demo
cratic agreement and the Riddleberger
bill. made by the Republicans. as to the
advantage TO the State. This estimate
made by the Second Auditor shows that
the Democratic settlement was more
favorable TO the State by $40. 291, 773. 90
The creditors of Virginia were more will
ing to accept this less amount from the
Democratic party than was offered by
the Republican party. because they had
confidence in the honesty and integrity,
the financial skill and ability of the
Democratic party.
He showed that the State had kept
faith with the creditors. had promptly
paid the interest and had retired of the
principal of the bonded Indebtedness
| 81, ,S33,Ce5; that since the Democratic
party came into power, from bankrupt
treasury it had retired more than one
sixth OF the principal of the bonded in
debtedness, and had paid in interest
and principal on the indebtedness, $22-
594. eco %. The finances of Virginia are
now in most favorable condition. While
the United States Government and other
great governments of the world had
deficits in their treasury, and are issu-
ing more bonds, Virginia had good
working balance and is yearly retiring
her Indebtedness.
He said all this has been done before
Virginia had to pay any part of the
principal of her Indebtedness. under the
terms of her cootract; and. what was
more remarkable, this had been accom-
plished by reducing the rate of taxation
from 40 cents To IS cents on the hundred
dollars on real and personal property.
This has been made possible on account
of the greatly increased prosperity
which has come from the settlement of
the State debt, and from the new
sources of revenue that the Democratic
party had provided, which mad either
escaped heretofore or were lightly taxed.
Sources of incresset ReVenue
He showed that the Democratic
party collects yearly an increased taxa
tion of $l06, 800. "a from banks, Sl2,,
5l7.SS from express companies, $780,.
S90.4l increase from insurance com
panies, 1888, 790. l2 more from railroads
SAL, 729.21 increase from telegraph anC
telephone companies, 81, 556. 08 increase
from steamboat companies, $25, $50. q
more from charters. $l04. 265 more from
franchise taxes. S39. S97. % more from
collateral inheritance taxes, $109, ,553 2
increase from income taxes. Thus, from
these new sources, which are legitimat
and proper subjects of taxation, th
State is deriving annually an increase,
revenue of 81, ,239, ,68014. During tn
: last twenty-five years more than $50,
900, 600 have been put into the Stat
treasury from these sources of revenue
The State has thus been enabled t
make large appropriations for education
: colleges, asylums, roads and the variou
progressive policies inaugurated for tn
betterment of the State.
Public Education
Governor swanson then said: '"rh
nexttest as TO whether party is deserV