Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-04-11
Interesting Letter from Senator Low
ensfetn.
RICHMOND, April 10, 1886.

RICHMOND, April 10, 1886.
To the Editor of the Dispatch:
have been tempted for some time to
write line in regard to the payment of
taxes and licenses in coupons by our
merchants and others, and the article
in your columns entitled "A Good
Suggestion " has convinced me that |
should give you my experience in the
matter. For a number of years have
been honored as representative of our
city and senatorial district, both in the
House and Senate, by being placed on the
Finance Committee, and have expert
enced much difficulty in getting relief
or reduction in high license.taxeS for
our people by the fact being continu-
ally brought up that most Of the cou-
pons received for taxes are paid in by
citizens ofRichmond. Only two years
ago the license-tax on insurance COM
panies was doubled from 5000 to $500
by the Finance Committee, and so re-
ported to the Senate. In answer to my
appeal that it was wrong to double
that tax, | was referred to the
fact that the year before nearly every
insurance company had paid its taxes
in coupons. | volunteered to see the
representatives of that interest in this
city and laid the facts before them
they cbeerfully agreed to pay hereafter
in money. The amendment to the law
was withdrawn, and | am pleased to
report that since that time, with but
one or two exceptions, these taxes have
been paid in money.
The same difficulty was experienced
in the las: session. The fact was con-
tinually brought out that the larger por
tion of coupons were paid in from this
city, and by resolution Of the Senate
the list was published. have seen
several of our merchants, who admit
it was wrong, and who say that they
were solicited by attorneys to allow
them to pay for them, and without due
consideration allowed it. In fact, !
think that l know the leading merchant
alluded to in the communication OF
Anti. Coupon " in yesterdays Dis
patch, who told me several weeks ago
that it was wrong; that he did not in
tend to use coupons again, and would
use his influence with others. If our
merchants and large taxpayers will but
resolve that they will pay in money
only they will find it not only to their
own interests, but it will, | am sure,
help to settle this vexed question.
But there is another class who pay
in coupons and to whom no patriotic
appeals will do good. 1t is to that
class Of sample-merchants whose only
object is to beat the State whenever
they can because in the exercise OF her
rights and the protection Of her own
merchants she imposes the small sum
of 500 taxes on them for the privilege
of selling goods all over the State for
one year, although q much larger
amount is paid by our own merchants.
IL our merchants would follow the ad-
vice contained in the article A Good
Suggestion" and demand Of every
salesman not only his authority
to sell goods, but a certificate that
be has paid in money, we would soon
find that they would discontinue the
use Of coupons, for the trade Of yir-
ginia is eagerly sought after by Balti.
more, Philadelphia, and New York. Mr..
Editor, We have too many other issues
to divide and distract our people without
reopeDiDg this debt question. All
parties have agreed to abide by the
Riddleberger settlement. If our mer-
chants and others having to pay license.
tax and other large taxpayers
would inform the polite attorneys
who are SO anxious to aid them
in the payment Of their taxes mot for