The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-10-10
The Virginia Coupon Gases.
MOTION MADE TO ADVANCE TEEN on THE
UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT DOCKET.
fBy telegraph To the DisDatch.l

MOTION MADE TO ADVANCE TEEN on THE
UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT DOCKET.
fBy telegraph to the DispatchI
WASHINGTON, October 9.-The United
States Supreme Court at its last term rem
dered what was then regarded rs q final
decision in the important Virginia bond
case OF Antoni Us. Greenhow, involving
the question whether coupons OF State
bonds were legal tender in payment of
State taxes. The opinion OF the Court,
however, was yariously understood in Nir-
glnia by Judges whose decisions it was
supposed to control, and consequently
new litigation arose with regard 10 the
receivability OF coupons for taxes. and
new set OF cases has been brought
TO this court upon wri: OF error from the
United States Circuit Court for the Eastern
district OF Virginia and from the Hastings
Court OF the city OF Richmond. The suits
are all against Samuel &. Greenhow, Treas
urer Of the city just named, and the plain
tihs in error are Thomas PoindcXter, A.
Austin Smith, William L. White, and Sam
uel C.. Carter. In behalf OF these plaintiffs
William l.. Royal, their counsel, to-day
filed q motion 10 advance all the cases for
the reason that they are OF great public inl-
portance, and ga decision OF them is neces-
sary TO the peace and order OF society in the
State OF Virginia" Mr. Royal in his ar
gument in support OF the motion TO advance
said /" At its last term the court advanced
and decided the case OF AntOni Us. Green
how because ii considered that case one Of
such public importance that it ought to be
decided at once. Now, every cOnsidera-
ton which could have impelled the Court
to advance and decide Antoni rs. Green
how demands that these cases should be
advanced and decided. The decision which
the Court made is not understood in the
State. BY examining Judge Bonds opin-
ion the Court will see that he holds that
under the decisions OF this Court
coupons are legal tender for taxes,
and that he will cnjoin collectors
from levying after the tender Of coupons
under this decision. All persons who owe
rs much as $500, and can consequently ap-
ply to him for an Injunction, are exempted
from the payment Of taxes; but by inspect
ing the record OF case No. 969 the Court
will see that the State judges take differ
ent view Of the decision. This court has
made and held that taxes must first be paid
in money, and that there must be a suit by
the taxpayer to recover his money back as
the State law requires. Thus all persons
who pay less than $500 Of taxes are CON-
PEELED to pay their taxes in money, whilst
those who owe $500 pay no taxes at all.
This is an intolerable state OF affairs,
and something must be done TO change
IT, or great disorder will ensue.
The defendant in error concurs with the
plaintiffs in asking that these cases be ed-
yanced, and his request should carry great
weight with it, He represents TO the Court
that he cannot know his rights and duties
as collector Of States taxes until ii decides
the questions involved. On one side the
statutes OF the State forbid him TO receive
coupons and command him to levy on the
taxpayers property; on the other the
United States Circuit Court informs him
that the coupons are legal tender and tax
payers threaten that they will sue him for
trespass il he levies on their property. This
condition Of things exists in every county
In the State"
The Court took the motion to advance
under Amusement.