The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-02-21

M., 81; midnight, 80.
s>~--~sa-.>ss...--.s-...a
Remarks Of Mr. Smith, of Nelson. ON
the Barbour Tax.Biii In the Senate
on tho Goth Of February.
Mr.. SMITH Of Nelson said in substance: |:
MIR. Presidenf,--If the amendment Of the
Senator from Lynchburg is adopted making
coupons receivable for the taxes collected
in money aud dedicated for the support OF
the State government exclusively the the
orv and purposes OF the bill will be destroy
ed. The objects OF this measure are to set
apart for the maintenance of the govern
ment TWENTY-FIVE cents collected in money
of the fifty cents Of taxation it imposes on
every hundred dollars worth Of property,
ten cents thereof TO the free-school fund, to
be collected in legal.tender money also, and
the remaining fifteen cents and all other
revenues, except the head-tax Of one dollar,
belonging to the school fund, and $4,000
OF the liquor tax lintended also for support
OF governmen.), to be applied to payment
OF interest on the public debt, and collect
able in coupons at option. 1t is contended
that these propositions are in conflict with
the decision OF the Court of Appeals in the
coupon cases OF Antoni Us. Wright, &C.,
and that the constitutional questions in
YOIYeu In Ibis DlIi UlNC DcSu ueClleu Dl
that Court already In these cases. :
The ablest lawyers in the State differ wide
" about the scope and correctness OF that
decision, and it is therefore right and pro-
per, under all the circumstances, to pass this
bill, and thereby give the judiciary an OPP
portunity to say what it did decide, even by
divided court. I will concede that, as q
general proposition, the Court held that
coupons were receivable in payment OF all
taxes, debts, dues, and demands due the
state: but it did not, on direct issue, de-
termine the question Of the power Of the
Legislature to SET apart, in money, the free
school fund, provided for in the Constitn-
ton, regardless OF the receivability-coupOn
feature; yet the opinion would seem to
cover that ground. negatively. and for
that reason l voted against the Massey
school-bil several weeks ago, and also for
an amendment thereto similar to the one
pending. To be consistent, it would there
fore appear that should vote for the Sena-
tors amendment. But how stands the case
now? The Massey bill passed this body by
large majority, and if It were desired it
could be passed elsewhere, and become a
law at once-a move not deemed necessary
or eXpedient since the same features it con-
tains form part OF this bill, the fate OF
No one will contend that the great queS-
ton, behind and overshadowng all others,
Of the inherent, inaIienable right Of the
State to preserve its life and existence by
providing that SO much Of its revenues
shall be collected in money, despite the
taX-receivabe coupon feature, to pay the
ordinary government expenses and keep
society from chaos and anarchy.
voted to repeal the funding bill over
the Governors veto. and so far as'it is a
binding contract propose to stand by it
in good faith, Notwithstanding it is one OF
the most unjust, ,unwise, arbitrary instances
OF forciblc reidjustment on record, re-
fusing as it did any interest to all who de-
cincd to fund hereunder, and so on.
Suppose, slr, the Legislature which passed
the funding bill in 1871 had provided there
in that s. on every 800 worth OF property
should be levied and coil.ceed-would any
body contend that succeeding Legislature
could not reverse such action to save the
State from such ruin. as would otherwise
have followed? Most unquestlonably not.
The Legislature not only has the right to
control the whole subject OF taxation, and
to decide the vital question OF the ability
of the people to pay taxes, but it must
have the unquestlonable prerogatiye to pro-
ment against all contingencies and under
all circumstances. Otherwise, all govern
ment is a farce, and State, through an
unwise Legislature, could commit suicide
crime against human and divine law.
Besides these reasons, Mr. President, /
advocate the passage OF this bill because it
is now neap the close OF the session, the
sentiment OF the General Assembly is
known on the public-debt question, and it
becomes us to concede something rather
than adjourn without doing anything to-
wards readjustment. By far had we, even
on questionable proposition, better let the
debt matter 60 into the courts again than
for it to be bedraggled into another politi-
cal campaign, thereby hazarding the good
name and fair fame OF Virginia's honor and
credit-already beclouded by the do-nothing
policy, which furnishes such tempting
field for demagogues who would gladly be-
smirch our proud seScutcheon to promote
their selfish ends. II is even charged that
this is a. reputation bill, when there
is not word or scintilla in it
as to how the public debt shall be
reidiusted, not a line or syllable rs
to how much hintercst-whethert three, four,
five, or six per cent-shall be paid the credi-
tor. He IS promised all the balance OF the
revenues t0at can be possibly Y ralSed alter tne
most rigid economy is practiced-the gov
ernment and free schools to be first sup
ported and maintained. II
hope, sir, returning prosperity and re-
cuperation will speedily bring the creditor
every cent that Is due him and IL this bill
is declared unconstitutional by the courts
will advocate an increase Of taxation suffi-
cient to meet the just obligations OF the
State rather than the slightest ytaint OF re-
pudiation shall attach to Eirginia's honor
and reputation. isr
have no doubt that every representative
who voted for it will patriofleally and
promptly do the same. But the people are
restless, and unless the course Is pursued
8hicii is pointed; out by this bill / much
fear results that will disgrace our noble
Commonwealth in the estimation OF the
civilized world, whose eyes are upon us IN
this trying hour. Mr.. President, am
II ,,sx,, a,yar iyff IN hn hut