Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1878-03-05
THE TAX-BILL VETOED.
Gov. Holiday Sends the Bar
bour Bill back without
His Approval.

His HppFoVaI.
RICHMOND, VA. Feb. 28-Yester-
day Governor HolliiHy sent the fol-
lowing message to the Legislature
The message WAS passed by and order
ed TO be printed
To the Honorable the House Of Dele
gates
/ return the bill imposing taxes on
real and personal property to meet the
necessary expenses OF the Govern
ment. for public free school purposes,
and to pay the Interest on the public
debt, without my approval.
do this most reluctantly, not only
because do not like to disagree with
the Legislature having high estimate
Of its ability and patriotism, but be-
cause wish this question OF the state
debt to be finally settled.
Having this wish, | cannot see any
settlement ia this bill. 1t Is only re-
mitting the vexed and vexing matter
from the Legislature to the Courts
Instead OF bringing peace, 1t is chal-
lsnging war between the State and
the creditors, and keeping alive iii
bitterness thing which has already,
by its agitation, cost more than It's
whole sum to the material interest
and welfare Of the Commonwealth
II may be said, that 10y this very act
am aiding what l so much dreaded
Even in The narrow light of cOnEe-
qnences to one filling my place, can
not see that | would be stunning
trouble by signing the bill. On The
contrary, / would be shiTking respOD-
sibility, and passing to others ques-
ton which duty tells me l am bound
to decide for myself.
Besides, believe it safer and better,
when a question has grown into such
size aud bitterness, as this, that 1t pos
siUle it should he settled in that arena
where il properly belongs 1t Is very
unhappy that it should ever have got
into the field Of politics and severed
the people OF the State into PARTIES
1t is really a business matter, not ike
ly to be closed 10y the wrangle OF the
hustings.
Such, certainly, would he the result
should this bill become law. ] do
not think its friends look for. snme
do not wish, any other results, believ-
ing that it is Injected with grave prIn-
ciples that ought to be tested by judi
ciaI enquiry. But | cannot think
that this Will avAii for good, or has en-
a settlement after it has been made .
subject Of political strife. Evil AL
most always follows. when questions
are taken from that arena aud rent To
the courts, with all the acrimOny be.
gotten by fierce discussion. The ques-
tiOns are not put at rest, but the courts
and their DEGREES are dragged together
down, and their high authority he
Titled. l do not for a moment say
that judges are infallIble. They are
men J. and liable to err. But do
mean 10 say that their strength and
purity are the frmest bulwaTks of
freedom and peace in Republic like
ours
Whilst these are my views with re-
gard to the tribunal in which this
matter ought to be concluded, spring
iug solely from the evils of its discus
sion elsewhere, there are other reasons
for my actions, based upon higher
ground.
have no doubt that every member
of-ynur honorable body who voted for
this bill ~as fully satisfied. both of lis
policy and cOnstituriunHlity. Other
wise, | am sure it would not have
passpd. You had studied the subject
in all its bearings, and believed that
the condition of our State and of the
debt, Justified the law. You did this
under the oath you had taken to- up
hold the Cousti utiOn, w,'ich bound
your acts. Having done so your du-
ty il fulfilled, and your cOnsciences
clear.
1t must have the approval Of the
Governor before il becomes a law.
am equally sure you will accord to
him the same sense Of du ty and re-
spuusibility, inasmuch as he has Ia
ken the same oath, and has the same
right of decision as yourselves.
l do not mean TO enter iutO any
lengthy argument with regard to the
credit at the State, aud the binding
obligation upon Its people 10 pay ItF
Just debt. [ would insult the gentle
men Of the Assembly 10y even limiting
that there is one among them who. by
'.enying this, is so unworthy Of filling
so high a place. | have never heard
any Of them say. in public or private
that such was his opinion, and vh0
would not regard & blow at the honor
OF the Commonwealth as worse than
q private injury. / feel quite certain
that such e man could have no stand
ing in your Ihidst, but would bespurn-
ed, as be would, if having means. he
refused to pay his honest dues. With
this state, and with il knowing that ]
cannot he misunderstood, ! feel the
freer TO discuss the bill.
When | read it's clauses by them
selves. can come to but one cOnbiu
sion; that they are both unjust and
Il constitutional. apart from anything
beyond their simple terms-no ques-
tion presented hut the constitution
and the laws i; no one viii deny that
they are a Violation Of both, as inter
preted by our highest courts. l Will
not take up our your time in going
over arguments now so trite, not only
yourselves, but almost e e-ery man in
the State, though unlettered, knows
them by rOte. The effort is here made
To deny the taX-payiag power of the
coupons This has been pronounced
unconstitutional aud void. Why then
keep it in The field Of controversy p
why tempt again the inevitable?
can see no use in thus arraying one