The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-09-07
REIMBURSEMENT in National Politics

General Assembly.
-----------------
Reimbursement in National Politics.
The speakers Of the Democratic party
ought 10 call the attention Of their bearers
70 a certain remarkable declaration contain
cd in the platform adopted by the C0nYen-
ton which nominated CAMERON, LEWIS,
and BLAIR. That platform has the following
plank:
"Thrd. We reSssert our adherence to
the constitutional requirement for the
sfqusl and uniform taxation OF property,
exempting none except that specified by
the Constitution aud used exclusively tor
religious, charitable, and educatiOnsl pur-
poses."
II Mr.. BLAIR, the Reddiuster candidate
for the office OF Acknowledgement, intends
10 carry the principles Of R'sdiustment
into national affairs, be will doubtless begin
in be manner indicated in the resolution
above quoted. The laws OF the United
States exempt oil the nations bonds which
are held in Virginia, rs well as those held
elsewhere 10 this country, from oil taxation.
No state, no city, no county, no district, is
allowed TO tax those bonds for any purpose.
They do not even aid in supporting the
public schools. Mr.. w. ri. VANDERBILT.
OF New York, is said to own more than
forty millions Of them. His bonds are
worth more in cash than all the real and
personal property in Richmond would
to-day bring under the hammer. There
are many other men who own hundreds
OF thousands Of dOllsrs worth OF those
bonds. Are MessrS. CAMERON, LkwIs, and
BLAIR, 10 favor OF taxing those bonds! II
not, why not We suppose there are not
eight millions Of Vireinio's bonds held by
persons living in Virginia Why should
these bonds be taxed, and MIR. WANDER
BILT's escape all taxation ST the hands of both
the Slate and the National Governments
What lays the Wing Does the Reid
iuster platform mean what 1t saysl Is Mr..
CAMERON 10 favor Of taxing call proper
typ Is he in favor of taxing United
States bondsi Is he opposed to eXempsing
any property except that used exclusively
for religious, charitable, and educational
purposes? Are Virginians to be taxed
upon their tobacco 10 order to pay the
GOUI.Ds and the VANDERBmTs their inter.
est, whilst hundreds OF millions Of dollars
OF national bonds are permitted to go I'M
taxed and allowed to contribute not one
dollar 10 the National Treasury?
Why should not United States bonds be
taxed as well as Virginia bondsy Is The
faith OF The nation pledged to their exemp-
tioni So the faith Of Virginia is pledged
10 the exemption Of her bonds. IL the ma.
tons honor desrer TO us than that Of Vir-
giniai Shall we be told that there are but
few national bonds in this State! We
know hist such is The fact; but what OF il T!
1t Is not the amount of the tax that we are
after. II Is the principle Of the thing. II
Is The demagoeism which appeals to the
passions OF the populace as against the
holders Of Virginia bonds, whilst II kneels
In the dust TO the holders Of United States
bonds.
AS we have often said, every govern
menl worthy Of the name exempts It's bonds
from taxation. The United States Govern
ment exempts It's bonds. Virginia exempti
hers. New York exempts hers. Msssa-
chuselis exsmpis hers. IL is doubtful
whether the Supreme Court OF the United
States would allow any State to tax her
bonds II The question were presented tC
that tribunal, which recently decided thst
Ill fexr hor
We know well enough that when
the bonds pass from hand to hand
they are sold higher or lower accord
ing as they are exempt or not exempt froE
taxation. We know that when the United
States Government sold It's exempted
bonds, Il received the taxes upon them al
IN advance. But all arguments 10 that efec
make no impression upon your Re&diusler
he preieHds to be, above ali things else
sstse poor mans friend.v He will have
no rich mans bonds exempted from
taxation. He declares for "eQual and
nnifofm taxstion." lie swears that nC
property shall be exempt from taxation
under Readjuster rule except that "used
exclusively for religious, charitable, and
educational purposes" We only ash The
said Resojuster 10 live up TO bis principles.
Don't tell us that the Supreme Court Of the
United States wop't permit you to tax the
nations bonds. Neither will the Supreme
Court OF Appesls Of Virginia permit you
10 tax viFginis's bonds; but this only de-
termines you to elect a new Court Of APP
peals. Why can't you make your can.
dldste for President OF the United
States pledge himself to appoint no
justices Of the Supreme Court OF the
United States who are not 10 favor
OF taxing the rich mans bobdsi II II 10
right to tax Virginia bonds, it's right 10 tax
Federal bonds. Tho two kinds OF bonds
stand on tue same moral footing In every
respect. The government which issued
each Kind pledged IL faith that none OF
ttose bonds should be taxed. The word OF
U1f0f.fa IL offf A.. that ofYoHf ALI the world