Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-04-28
THE COUPON QUESTION.

local Department..
THE COUPON QUESTION.
Senator KOiner in IL Strong speech
Presents the Case-PreambIe and ResO
luton Approving the Governors
Proclamation Adopted.
The people of Augusta held public meeting
last Monday to consider the recommendation
contained in the proclamation of the Governor
recommending that all Taxpayers refrain
from using coupons in the payment of dues t6
the Commonwealth. On motion of Edward
Echols, ESQ., Colonel John II. Crawford was
called to the chair, and VIM. Burnett. Esq.
and. the members of the Press appointed Score
taries The Chair requested Senator Koiner tc
explain the objects of the meeting, which he
proceeded to do in clear, vigorous address
taking up the history of the difficulties of the
Stale through ten years of agitation in the sew
eral phases of the public debt settlement as ii
was Under the legislation which had taken
place. The Riddleberger bill had not been i'm
paired by any act oflegislation. The creditors
of the State stood off from it, and would not &C.
cept it, The first coupon-killer was an enact
ment ofthe legislature previous to passage OF
the Riddleberger bill. and the second after
wards with the several provisions of legisla-
ton to render the settlement effective were de-
cided by the Supreme Court of the United States
adversely to the State of Virginia, and out of
these decisions the harassing situation and the
sxigencies of toe present time came about. The
redun liant treasury which had existed was in
consequence of the States receiving her dues
in the prescribed currency and not paying in
5erest which was accommodating all the time
In consequence of the overthrow. by the U. S.
Court, of every provision made by legislation
to secure an adjustment under the Riddle
berger bill. difficulties were increasing and
several hundred suits were pending against the
officers of the State and crisis was impend-
ing. There was no escape now from it except
by the resolute action or The people The Gov
srnor had invoked the Taxpayers to adopt the
policy of paying in money, and thus save the
state from ruin, which was inevitable unless
that were done.
The expedients n further legislation which
had been suggested were considered and found
10 be fallacious. The great inequality and in
llstice which would exist if some would pay
their taxes in coupons whilst Others paid in
Money, were forcibly presented, and should be
sufficient to convince every person of the
soundness of the views advanced, and the wis
coupons would be to leave the government de-
stitute, and that no rejecting citizen would do
who would properly consider the whole ques-
ton.
The people had looked to the leg slature; but
what more could the legislature do? The
remedy was with the people. Sustain the Gov
ernor and his proclamation. No wrong would
De done the creditor, nor was there reputation
N the policy recommended. The people had
declared for the settlement made by the Rid
deberger bill, and in this way it would be
carried out.
The subject had assumed gravity not before
reached, and the people. the taX-p ayers. only
could solve it. He called upon the people, his
constituents to know what must be done to
avert the consequences. At this time. there
was but the one remedy, which had been
named. He was aware that our own people
did not pay their taxes in coupons, and he was
satisfied they would continue to pay in cur
rency; but unfortunately for the State, all her
citizens were not pursuing the same course
In Richmond. Petersburg, Lynchburg, and at
other places they were paying in coupons, and
If the disposition widened and enlarged the
consequences would be most deplorable. The
Senator, then, referred to the general indisposi-
ton of Attorneys to bring these harassng suits
against the officers of the State. In Richmond
there were but five; in Lynchburg, but three,
and in Petersburg and Chesterfield none, who
would do So
During the interval which ensued pending
tina legislation which was to protect the State
and to secure funding under the Riddleberger
bill, the bond.holders, who were fol eigners'
had organized for resistance. and they had
pursued the State at every step, and were in
different to the circumstances and distress
which surrounded our people, who were en-
deavoring in good faith to have her creditors
accept the Riddleberger settlement.
Mr.. William A. Burnett offered resolution
for the appointment of a committee to report
further business for the meeting. which was
adopted, and the following named gentlemen
were appointed said committee
w. Burnett D. S. Hogshead, Charles S.
Patterson, W. F. Smith, A. Koiner. and P. T.
Burkholder, Esqs.
Pending the appointment of the Committee,
Senator Koiner read the following preamble
and resolution which he had prepared a
basis for consideration. Mr.. Hogshead of the
Committee remarked that there was no need
for the committee to retire as the paper just
read by the Senator was sound and TO The point,
and ne moved its adoption. which was done.
with but one dissenting voice.
PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTION.
WHEREAS, The people OF virginia, alter a
long and heated conflict of opinions, which en-
dangered good government and the peace of So
ciety, have united on the act of the 18th of Feb
ruary, 1882 the basis of settlement of the debt
OF The State, by expressions in popular conven
tions, through the Legislative and Executive
departments of the government, aud sustained
by the Judiciary of the State; and
Whereas, Sundry persons, in fragrant viola
lion of the oft expressed purpose of the State,
through her laws and public officials, 10 en-
force the terms Of said basis of settlement for
- the common veal, have invoked the aid of the
FEDERAL Courts to override the authority of the
State, sought to Illustrate and humiliate her
government, cut off her revenue, threatening the
very existence of the body polite, in order that
they may derive an unjust advantages over
their felow-citzens by using the deprecated
coupon for the gain which it brings them and
Whereas, The Commo on wealth has right to
expect the hearty cooperation and support OF
al her citizens. and those subject to her laws,
in such times of trial; and may confidently ap-
peal to all patriotic people to sustain her In the
effort to support her government with all its
incidents by making payments to the Treasury
IN 8 currency of uniform value and alike just
and equal to all Taxpayers; and which can be
doge without any violation of the Federal Con-
stltution, or laws. therefore,
-BeSotued, That we, the people of Augusta, do
most heartily unite with the General Assem-
bly, and the Governor of Virginia in earnestly
appealing to the patriotic people of the State to
make their payments to the State in currency,
which will at once enable her to maintain the
government and its dependents, and will put
tue coupon finally to rest, and save the State
from financial RUM.
E&SEYS! RSEYS! in
al he new styles out, at
s12S-tf Shirley & TAYLOR'S.
THE RoNCEvERTE NEws.-We have received
TIE initial number of the Ronceuerte Neus, just
of TO .t.,io,