Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-04-30
LOCAL MATTERS.
ASrr.coUpoH MEETING IN JEFFERSON
WARD LAST NIGHT.
Speeches Made by Msssrs. Tyler, Hasktns.
Ellyson, and cary-Letters and
Resolutions, &c.

EilysOn, ana VaIy-Lcttofs anu
Resolutions, &c.
A mass-meeting Of the citizens Of
Jefferson Ward opposed to paying taxes
in coupons was held at Old-Markst Hall
last night, with . fairly good attend
ance.
The meeting was held under the
auspices of the Old Dominion Demo-
cratic Club Of that ward, and was
called to order by the president Of the
club, Mr.. James W. Gibbons.
Mr.. Gibbons explained that the OBJ
ject Of the meeting was to endorse and
ratify the proclamation Of Governor
Lee calling upon the people Of tho State
to pay their taxes in money and not in
coupons.
MR.. TYLER's RESOLUTIONS.
Mr.. Lyon G. Tyler was introduced
as the first speaker. He said that
while this coupon question is dry one
it is an important one, and should be
carefully considered. He offered the
following resolutions:
Whereas the party platforms Of both
the great political parties of this State
have pledged the people to the final &C
ceptance of the settlement of the public
debt known as the "Riddlebergcr BILL"
and the last General Assembly Of Vir-
ginia reiterated and reaffirmed the joint
resolutions unanimously adopted by
the General Assembly Of 18S3.'S4, de-
claring that no settlement Of the State
debt shall ever be made upon any
basis less favorable to the Com
monwealth than that provided for by
that law and acts amendatory
thereof; and whereas our patriotic
Governor, Fitzhugh Lee, has in his pro-
clamation of April 5, 1886, invoked
the people to meet in their accustomed
manner in all the counties, cities, and
towns of the State to visit with an out
spoken declaration q rebuke upon those
who appeal to the law to enforce the
reception Of coupons in the State Trea-
sury, whose birth and original imposi-
ton upon Virginia were the result Of
fraud, bribery, and corruption: now
therefore be it
/. heSolred, That we, Taxpayers Of
Jefferson Ward, in mass-meeting as
sembled, fully endorse the structures Of
Governor Lee upon those of our tax
payers who cooperate with the enemies
Of the Riddleberger bill by seeking,
through vexatious litigation, to dis
charge their dues to the State in depre-
ciated paper.
2. That at a moment when foreign
courts and foreign bondholders have
entered into a conspiracy to strangle
the rights and independence Of this
Commonwealth, it becomes every Vir-
ginian to rally around the measures Of
the government and promote their sue
cess by every means in his power.
3. That we appeal to all the tax
payers of the city Of Richmond and Of
the State to pay their taxes in money,
and not in coupons, and to refuse to
patronize any business-house outside of
the State which attempts to do business
here by agents who have no license.
THE TROUBLESOME COUPON.
Mr.. Tyler spoke at some length, urg-
ing the adoption Of his resolutions. He
gave briefly the history of the coupon
as we'll as how it has troubled the
affairs of the State since its earliest in
cipiency. lie felt proud Of what Vir-
ginia had accomplished, and all our pee-
pie should feel likewise. lie referred to
the devastation Of the late war, and
how Virginia had always, notwithstand-
ing her many burdens, held up her head
and maintained the position to which
she was entitled among the most hon.
orable Of States. lie sketched the his
tory Of the Riddleberger act, and argued
that the people now have the remedy
in their own hands. What they have
10 do is to build up moral sentiment
against paying taxes in coupons. Peo-
pie pay their taxes in coupons because
they can thus save 40 or so cents on
the dollar. BY using them the people |
who own much property are enabled to
pay their taxes at about half price, and
by this means they throw the bulk Of
The taxes on the shoulders of the poor
workiDgman, because the amount of his |
taxes will not justify his buying these
= 'cutworms of the Treasury"
Mr.. Tyler closed by appealing to all |
10 pay in money, and so all would con-
tribute to the support Of the govern.
nent.
Mr.. Tyler was interrupted by sp-
olause several times during the de-
livery Of his speech.
MEADE HAsKINs, ESQ.
Mr.. Meade Haskins was introduced |
IS the next speaker and was warmly |
'eceiyed. lie seconded the motion for
he adoption Of the resolutions, and
heartily endorsed what had been said
~ Mr.. Tyler. lie said that the high
st court of this land had recognized
he payment of Virginia taxes in
Virginia coupons as just and
ight, and those who choose to
xercise this right should not be ostra-
ised, but he urged payment of taxes in
money because be believed that the
'est public policy and expediency de-
handed it. The bonds which bear these
oupons are not held by citizens or tax
ayers Of the State. Most Of them are
eld by foreign holders, who speculate on
ha cacaos;t;ao of tho Ctafa and har ia |