Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-10-30
Paving Taxes in Commons.


After quoting from tie GAZETTE an ar.
ticle in reference to City Treasurer Harloy's
tender to the Auditor Of coupons received
by him in the settlement Of his account,
the Richmond Wing says:
"The Wing has every disposition to sus.
tain the State authorities in their effort to
make the Riddleberger settlement effectual
but it has never yet been able to fa,hom
the depth of financial wisdom which is sup
posed to be concealed ir the policy which re-
qrires collecting officers 10 do an illegal thing
well knowing at the same time that they
Will iail in the end TO accomplish the Object
desired, and the effort will cost the State st
least twice as much as the amount originally
sought to be recovered. TO say that such q
policy has any effect in deterrng others
from Offering coupons in payment Of taxes
Is ridiculous, because every one knows that
under the ruling of the Supreme Court a
mere tender Is in elect payment, and if a
levy is made thereafter, the cwner Of The
property levied on is sure to recover the
value of the property sold and all his
cost in that behalf expended. We will
go as far rs any enc in urging
the taxpayers not to harrass the old State
and encourage the bondEo,ders by using
coupons in payment of taxes. because there
is no law or obligation requiring them to
do so but if they are deaf TO all appeals to
their patriotism and actually make a tender
OF coupons, we will not unite in advising
collecting officers 10 violate the law as laid
down by the Supreme Court, lay themselves
and their securities liable 10 suits for dam
ages and subject the State 20 heavy expense
By trying to do what we all know can't be
done. We think that Mr.. Harlow ia clearly
right 10 saying that he will do all he cau to
collect the taxes ia money, but when it
comes TO levying on persons property who
have rendered coupons he will call a halt
He is right as citizen, because neither the
State nor any OF her officers has the right to
require him to do what the highest tribunal
of the land has declared to be an illegal
thing he il right as bonded officer in not
doing an set which will subject his sureties
| to annoying suits and perhaps heavy dam.
ages and he is right as an otter of the State
seeking 70 promote her best interests, be-
| cause he declines to subject her to heavy
expenses III vain efforts 10 do what he knows
| cannot bs done.
Tine decision Of the Supreme Court has
clearly established the legal right Of the tax
payers to use coupons in payment of their
| lakes, and all that can be done now is 10
try TO induce them not to eyel cises that
| right, by appealing 10 their patriotism
| and showing them that its exercise would
| be prejudicial TO her highest interest. II
they cannot be influenced by these consider.
atoms, they certainly cannot be by the alb.
surd policy of leyying on their property of
ter they have rendered coupons, because all
they have to do to recover back the money
thus illegally collected, and all their costs
Is to institute suit in the United States
Courts, aud the State will obligingly con less
judgment for the. full amount At least,
that WAS the course she pursued in d large
number of cases at the last term Of the court,
and it is presumable that such will be the
policy in the future. Indeed, it was iuli.
mated by those who advocate that line of
policy that the State was very glad to get
oil on such favorable terms, and that it was
O viCtorty for the State. Well, too MANY If
such victories would amount to very se-
we're defeat. Of course after the State III.
vited such contest, she wants to yet of as
easily as possible, and as the best terms pcs
sible are TO pay the original debt and costs,
it may iE one sense be regarded as victory
to get off without having to pay moro, but
why should the State place herself in such
position? In taxpayer tenders coupons
The collecting officers can very properly re-
fuse to receive them and leave the matter
open, but why should they be guilty of the
absurdity of levying on his property when
they know full well that the only ell: ct will
be 10 run the State in debt? The wisdom
OF that policy is too deep for our comprc.
PENSION"