Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1883-03-22
THg COUP0UN QUESTION.

The Virginia coupon question has assum-
ed new phrase by the recent action of four
railroad companies in rendering coupons in
layment of State taxes since the recent de-.
oision Of the United States Supreme Court.
This is understood to be plan on the part
of the railroad companies and other corpo.
rations to resist the payment Of their taxes
in money as required BY the Riddleberger
Coupon-killer bill recently passed upon by
the United States Supreme Court
In response to al inquiry as t. the power
of the State to enforce the collection Of this
money Gov Cameron says
u have seen proposition to deprive the
Stale of its revenues by combination Of the
boudholders sud corporations to resist the
law as it Stands Oh our statute book, and
has been expouuded By The Supreme Court
of the United States. No such conspiracy
will be allowed to proceed in Virginia while
am Governor, with the powers conferred
by the constitution and the laws. The pro-
position is revolution, but there is onlyneed-
ed to meet il the plain and usual methods
ofJudicial procedure which the State has
provided for her own protection in exercise
OF her undisputed right. IF harsher means
were necessary they would be employed,
under the constitutional requirement of the
Governor that he shal see that the laws of
the Commonwealth shall be faithfully ex.
ecuted. The acts under discussion are laws
passed by the Legislature, approved by the
Executive. and declared constitutional by
the highest tribunals-State and Federal
How do you propose to meet the rcsis
lance 1:hc coupon holders to pay in money!
was asked the Governor.
well, to illustrate" he said, "it was re-
ported 10 me yesterday that certain railroads
had rendered their taxes in coupons, and
when such tender was declined they refused
to list their coupons for vcrifcation, or to
pay In money, as the law requires I i'm
mediately instructed the Attorney General
TO take the necessary steps TO enable the
auditor to levy upon the property of these
delinquent companies for the assessments
due tho State. This will be done at once"
Suppose the railroads resst?"
why, of course, they will ouly resist bv legal
procedure, and this will be done by an attempt TO
procure an injunction against tho collector
doubt II any Judge can be found in tho Common.
wealth to grant such motion directly in the face
Of orr own Court Ut Appeals and Of the Supreme
Court OF the United States. But. il So the Com.
mouwrslth vii: s: once apply 10 tho Court of An.
neals for proper process 10 enforce tts own dc.
cisiona.''
What about holding tho collecting officer 70.
sPonsihle III ease he refused couponso'
The law demands" said the Governor. that
thoy should refuse them. Those, if any, who de-
not refuse them will be vigorously prosecuted for
the Penalties which the statutes provide Those
who do refuse them, aud thus obey the law. shall
have the full use of all the power ard resources
In this Commonwealth"
Gov. Cameron says the amount OF railroad taxa.
non In ms state is about quarter Of million
OF dollars. Notice of contest, he saws has only
Been given III four cases Tho railroads thus far
that hive refused to pay their taxes in money are
the Shenandoah Valley. the Washington and Ohio,
and the Richmond, Fredericksburg aud Potomac.
Gov Cameron says however. that the amount in.
vowed is not \ question. bur the enforcement OF
the law -