Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-08-05

payer TO use coupons in payment OF
taxes. are not such persons assuming
A great responsibility upon themselves
IL they insist on so doing and thereby
induce others, peshaps, to follow
their example? Aye, are not
such persons taking an advantage of
his fellow-ciiizens who do not use cou-
pons in payment Of tsxes9 Are they
not taking advantage OF the small tax
payers of the State who do not deal in
coupons at all and have never done SOP
IL such people wish to pay their taxes
on an even footing with those who pay
in money, then Gf they insist on hand
ling coupons), let them put the differ
ence. whatever it may be, between the
price of the coupon bought and the
tax receipt taken from the officer
into the State Treasury IN cash.
This will put all taxpayers
on an even footing, and this
will secure the Treasury against deple-
ton and insolvency. Does one tax
payer want any advantage over hls
fellow taxpayer. IL so, why should
he? 1t is to be hoped he does not.
Certainly there is no reason why he
should except seltishness, and patriot
ism should constrain such persons to
forget self now. Equality is equity.
and ali should remember this. If all
citizens will pay in money the Treasu-
~ will be protected, and all will be
well. Why can't we live up to this
patriotic duty and remove trouble far
from our embarrassed Commonwealth?
Surely the anxieties Of the past are not
so soon forgotten as to make our peo-
pie sordid and selfish enough to risk a
renewal Of them?
Surely the recent decisions of the
Federal courts are enough to touch the
pride of this people who are proud of
the past, present, and future record OF
our State, and nerve them to patriotic
duty. Who has not read the opinions
of Mr.. William L. Royal, counsel for
the English bondholders, without sur
pise and regret? lie says "the war I"
upon Virginia is to be fierce and unre-
lenting; that the time is near at hand
when the State finances will be so Grip
pied and embarrassed that taxes will
have to be raised or the State govern
ment clogged thatho has been instructed
and employed by the creditors under the
recent decisions Of the United States
courts to press the issue fiercely and
fatally if need be, and who doubts the
truth of Mr.. Royals statement. He
is an astute lawyer. full Of energy and
activity, and ambition and perseverance.
He boasts in one breath Of his power to
circumyent the State Treasury with
coupons, and he laughs to scorn the
idea of Virginia people doing anything
in this direction from patriotic motives
to guard and defend the interests of the
State. Surely we have fallen upon evil
times if he be correct; surely the sac
rifces and examples Of Virginia's great
and good men have ayailed little if such
be true.
But do he and his agents pursue
generous remedy in this controversy
He intimates he wants a compromise.
To get this he threatens at every point.
He tells how low Virginia has sunk in
English estimation. He proclaims how
powerful are English bondholders to
control and cripple State finances, and
that the time is not far distant when
they, through the Federal courts, will
swoop down like an eagle upon its prey
and blast the industries, energies, and
finances Of sovereign State without
doubt or serious opposition. And il
furtherance Of this aim, attention is
called to the recent suits brought
against the treasurers Of King William,
Fauquier, and Goochland counties fol
the sum Of 10000 each, for leyyinl
and collecting taxes according to the
laws Of Virginia, under which laws they
are elected and sworn to serve.
And how do these parties hope to gel
redress? BY suit in Judge Bond,
court, which is to be held in the city o
Richmond under such instructions a.
he may see fit to give against the peo
pie Of Virginia.
People of Virginia, think Of it ant
ponder well before you deal in coupons
and invite such an indignity upon your
selves. All this wrong and humiliation
is the outcome Of few men that insis
on paying their taxes in coupons wher
they could so easily stop it by simply
paying their taxes in money. as agrea
majority of the people of the State arr
doing already, and that, too, after boil
political parties and the State have
pledged honest and earnest support t
the maintenance of the Riddlebergel
bill. 1t does seem small business fo
patriot to engage in at this hour o
trouble and anxiety. Like band o
brothers, let us refuse to use coupon
in payment of taxes, and all will b
well, my countrymen. CAROLINE