Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-08-23
%, 1885
nhn "Relief" Bngbear.


The platform of the Virginia Repub-
licans makes the following charges
against the Democrats in the last Le-
gislature
Passing more than seventy acts re-
lieving collecting officers and their sure
ties from defaults, and thereby de-
frauding the Treasury Of over $4,000
of taxes collected in cash from the peo-
pie, much Of which was doubtless en-
ployed for Bourbon campaign purposes.
Releasing from liability to the State
all delinquent and defaulting officers
and their sureties, who had given bonds
previous TO July l, 1870"
A few days ago we published com
munication from Colonel FRANK G.
RUFFIy, giving the ayes and noes
upon each "relief" act, and setting
forth that these acts numbered fifty
six, and that only one collecting officer
had been relieved. Colonel RUFFIN's
communication also showed that the
MALONE party was as responsible for
the passage Of these so-called
relief acts as was the Democratic
party. Now, we have statement
which, after giving the MALONE plat
form the benefit of a doubt-that is,
after crediting it with all the acts that
could in any way be brought under the
head Of "relief acts" presents the fol-
lowing as the result of careful exam
nation Of these acts;
Twenty-four Of the acts allow fur
Their time 10 collecting officers in which
to collect taxes and make return of de-
linquents.
Twenty, authorize the Auditor to
receive Riddleberger bonds in the dis
charge Of the Indebtedness of suretieS |
on official bonds.
" One, pays reward for the recap
ture of prisoner.
"Two, release from the payment Of
fines on the recommendation Of the
juries who tried the cases.
One, pays, according to law, one
half Of fine collected to the informer.
Zone, directs the payment Of cou-
pons detached from bonds proved to be |
genuine.
- One, pays jurors claims which had
not been presented for payment within
the specified time.
"One, directs the Auditor to give a
treasurer credit for school warrant |
proved to have been paid by him.
"Three, remit damages where judg- |
ments have been obtained, on payment
Of principal Indebtedness.
One, accepts compromise. payable
in cash.
4" One, pays communication to the
widow of deceased soldier.
Zone, relieves the estate Of lunstic
from liability of claims of asylum.
1.-TWO, relieve treasurers from the
payment of costs in coupon suits.
lone, directs the Auditor to pay the
commissioner of the revenue his salary,
which had been denied him on account
Of inaccuracy Of his books.
One, confirms a compromise made
by S. Brown Allen, Auditor Of Public
Accounts.
Zone, allows sureties on official bond
credit for amounts already paid.
One, pays eco Communication to a
one-legged soldier.
"0ne, relieves the Treasurer from
liability for license-tax which he was
unable to collect.
Two, give no relief at all.
One, is a general limitation law
upon official bonds Of collecting officers
executed prior to the LIST day of July,
1870, which provides that after lapse
OF ten years judgments against sureties
cannot be collected"
The above contains the facts regard
Ing the Democratic "relief" legisla-
ton of the last Legislature, which was
aided and abetted by the MALONE
members Of that body. 1t may also
be in order to recall the fact that
number Of these bills were intro
duced by Republicans; that du-
ring the last MALONE Legisls-
ture forty-odd relief bills Of the
same kind were passed, and that SINH
lar bills have been passed by every
Legislature. The Republicans are well
come 10 all the capital they can make
out Of the "relief" bugbear. If their
charges in respect of such legislation
cut at all, they cut both ways, as any