Year: 1875


the entire membership OF the House OF Dele
gates and half the number Of members Of the Senate
the has been devoid Of any features Of
special interest Apparently the republicans are max
ing contest except the counties where they have
overwhelming E.ajorities and from these few In mum
ber) the republican nominees will be returned which will
not vary the heretofore largely conservative complexion
OF the General Assembly The conservatives have con
troed the State since 1859 when Governor Walker
elected and, with It's organization preserved intact
will continue 70 control it. To any but the most jaun
diced vision the review OF political events here since
the State WIS released from military govern
ment presents instructive and gratifying
spectacle. Not only have the people accommodated
themselves with cheerful aacrty and dignaed compo-
TO the radical changes which the great civil
produced In their social and industrial systems, but
with exceptions they have gone work earnestly
and Eealousy to repair the ravages, and have been
moving forward in united and resoute effort in the
new path which has been opened before them. Their
conduct during trying Of the past decade
titles thcm in the estimation of such as value the


VICTORIES or PEACE


above those Of war the need Of the greatest admra
tion and praise. While their best energies have been
dedicated to the urgent necessities OF tho situation at
home, they have nevertheless, taken deep and active
interest in national affairs have been prompt and Wig
to aid the OF real peace and reconciliation
throughout the whole country, and have greeted with
hearty good will and unfegned JOY every
indication OF returning confidence, respect
and fraterna feeling between the lately
beligeren sections Of the Union. Their aith as find
in every public ana private expression, in FREQ fepub
lcan institutions is not only unimpared, but, if possi
BILE stronger than since they have survived the
shock of tremendous civil convulson They will be
tho last people In tho world TO salute the


oman ON HORSEBACK"


come when he may With the people here at present
every question made subordinate 10 the control
ing idea OF perfect complete reconstruction OF the
Union constitutional principles, and they are pre-
pared cooperate zeaously with all who are opposed
10 Grantlsm q e. imperialism embryo) in every form
and shape. Although considerable prominence has
been given 10 the currency question both in the
press and in general discussion, do not observe
any signs of dissension in the conservative
ranks growing out of the discrepant views oi
individuals on that vexed subject but the contrary,
there universal expression OF regret that II should
have been made an ISSUE IN any OF the Northern
States and the ardent hope is entertained that IT will
not suffered TO distract the councils of the party to
which the whole south


LOOKS FOR DEIIvERAScH


from the body OF political death The Enquirer OF to-
day perhaps embodies the sentiment OF the people In
the following extract from editorial discussing the
financial question -s'Then what the proper courss
for Congress to adopt its coming session. Evidently
repeal the resumption act at once and all laws look
ing TO undue contraction and then follow this up by
a repeal of the law by which the government dscredits
its paper and make the legal tender notes recev-
able for all dues This will matter Of course force
the government to become purchaser OF god but far
better that than discreditor or It's own notes ana
vendor Of gold"


In the same article it expresses these sound views:
''We have no idea ourselves, that the debt OF the
United States, any portion of IT, will ever be repu
dated paid in any other manner than in accordance
with the contract Although it might be thought that
here in the South would have but little respect Tor
and feel bat little interest in the payment OF debt
contracted for subugaton and for the destruc
ton of our property, yet this Is not the case We
know now that, come veal, come woe, we are in the
boat with our Northern brethren; that whatever
affects the country adversely or brings calamity upon
any portion of IL must be equally felt in every part OF
il and affect every section to the same extent"


There also unfang and ineradicable belief
among the people here that the first great step towards
permanent relief from financial troubles is To begin
the work Of reformation at the fountain head, and to
the common government In this way only 90 they
expect their dropping industries so that they
may flourish with redoubled vgor and vitality, their
productions be increased tenfod their burdens less
ened In like degree. The entire nation will then take
new heart and the difference between greenbacks and
gold will longer perturb the pious souls OF the oihce
seeking politicians AS said above, the Legislature To
be elected November will be Overwhelmingly con-
servative with the exception of few republicans who
will be returned from the localities where Cunee rules
the roostn Here and there the


sTAGsASr POLITICAL


is stirred by an occasional independent" breeze.
These independents mostly dissaifected politicians,
who after being defeated for nominations, bolt" and



ing the negro vote In nearly every instance that has
come to my notice the Independents in the rural dis
tricts are running the disastrous platform OF


REPUTATION STATE DEBT;


but II is gratifying that very few Of them can be
elected This reputation sentiment is confined TO con-
servatve boers negro politicians and carpet baggers,
who chiefly flourish in the country The cities and
towns and great property holders unanimously in
favor of maintaining the public credit The taxpayers
generally are So If large class Of people the country
are excepted who living on lands overwhelmed with
debt, eaten up by hens and who are the grumblers
and e6ad il thp n Ihp mn
intelligent observers that from this time forward there
will be constantly increasing conviction Of the juscs


THE NECESSITY OF MAINTAINING


the public credit the foundation Of public honor ano
private prosperity The people of the State also
dersand that the burden of the debt is not crushing,
it is diminishing year by year by the operation Of
the sinking fund while the resources OF the State are
constantly increasing. The last Legislature passed
act applying S. 800 900 bonds received from certain
railroads to the sinking fund and directing that the
first moneys received and unapprOprated would be de-
voted paying four per cent into this fund beside ap
plying $153 900 cash 10 the fund at The in
ferest 80 paid together with all receps from railroads.
TO be applied TO the purchase Of bonds Of the State,
which likewise TO be turned over into sinking
fund.- The effects Of this provision will be TO create
income which, beginning at nearly 5000 600 per an
num- will increase every year, with which is to be pur-
chased State bonds TO be added the sinking fund In
this way 1t is hoped the debt will be rapidly dmin-
shod and the repudiators viii have field for their
demagogism. Another interest given TO the coming
State election IS the fact that


UNITED STATES SENATOR,


to succeed Senator Johnston, Is to be chosen thus
winter and the competition bids fair 10 be exceedingly
lively for that honorable position. very noticeable
feature in the conservative nominations In this CON
necton Is the temperance ON the active arena oi ccr
tain old time political celebrities, foremost on the list
Of whom is Ex-Governor John Letcher, whose namo
Is still tower OF strength throughout the ou common
wealth which he has served 50 well and ably, both
her chief executive olcer and as representative
in the Congress of the United states There 10 an
abundance OF the right material Tor the senaorshp,
Northern may rest assured That the man
who is chosen will be live representative statesman,
Of broad and liberal views on subjects Of national
Importance and genuine disciple Of the school
Of conservative democracy. ! have also heard the
William w Crump OF this city, John Goode of Norfolk,
Ex-Governor @. u Walker and J. ". Daniel Of
Lynchburg mentioned as the prospective Senator IL
is agreed that the present incumbent will not be re-
elected and az present advised, strongly incline
TO the opinion OF the above gentlemen viii be
the recipient OF the coveted prize Each OF them have


host OF devoted friends and ENJOY general popularity
throughout tho State but is now impossible TO even
coniectnra the name Of the winner.