Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-27
DeIiysauent $50 Calico Land-Tax-A
hcrap OF Hfssory-A Warming 20 Lee
publishers.

gislators, &C., sc.
To The Editor Of the Dispatch.
That the Dispatch and its corre-
spondents boldly stand up for the rights
of the people upon the delinquent land
tax question appears very clear.
Whether or not you have gone far
enough, I am at loss to say. Not own
ing an acre of land in the State, may
be allowed to tell little story which
should convince those members OF the
Legislature who voted last week
against abolishing now and for
erer this question that they are
not representing truly the people.
This question of delinquent land
tax" dates as far back as 1865. In
the counties of York, Norfolk, Eliza
beth City, and perhaps Alexandria,
from 1861 to 1870, or possibly longer,
lands were held as &" libelled by the
United States Government, or were con-
fiscated and sold. Several years elapsed
after General Lees surrender before
many farmers got possession Of their
"libelled lands -; and not until 1870,
after Virginia was again admitted into
the Union, were landholders in many
sections of this State placed in posses
sion of their property.
Our I" lawmakers" some of whom
are members Of the present General
Assembly, have not forgotten--cannot
be ignorant of the fact--that in 1870,
and perhaps 1871, there was spirited
contest in several counties in executing
the orders of the courts to return to
the lawful owners large tracts Of land
(held by the freedmen) which were Ii
belled during the war.
Virginia was powerless when called
on to enforce the DEGREES of her own
courts; and in the celebrated case which
arose in the county Of Elizabeth City,
Of the trustees attempt, by due process
of law, to force the negroes from large
plantation, the sheriff and his posse Of
fifty or sixty men were driven off under
quite fire Of musketry, pistols, etc.
1t was then that Governor Walker
sent a special message to the Legisla-
ture at that time in session. A reso-
luton was offered, and, under a sus-
pension Of the rules, adopted, calling
on President Grant to render, as the
Constitution provides for, assistance to
Virginia, and, ! may add, to any other
State, the necessary aid to enforce civil
law and put down those who were
armed and defed the State authori-
ties.
During this time the trustee could
not venture upon the estate referred to,
neither could the heirs Of Mr.. Smith
unless at the risk of their lives.
Armed bands of negroes stood as sem
tinels day and night. deiying not only
the owners of the property, but the
sheriff and his posse.
After much delay the commanding
officer at Old Point was ordered by the
President to send troops to the points
named and protect the Virginia authori-
ties in the execution Of the civil law.
! IL was iOBEy tSuiVuo, anu 'Si SHPSh
sive business for property overs.
This brief rehearsal of facts is called
to mind simply to show the outrage
which Virginia would now pcrpetrate
by ordering a general sale of "delin-
quent-tax lands"
Poor old Virginia, during period Of
about six or eight years after the war,
impotent - utterly prostrated-could
not execute the orders of the courts,
many Of her citizens living as renters
on other peoples property while theirs
was held by force; now she calls on
her citizens to pay the tax. Property
4" libelled" or confiscated by the
United States Government as a war
measure, or as one Of its results, is now
to pass through a similar course by the
voice. not of the people Of Virginia,
but of those who should properly rep
resent them in the halls Of legislation.
Drive on gentlemen The people
are watching you. Sell in thirty
days, or in one year, OF at all, the
lands of those you were powerless
to protect, and soon the low mutter-
ings of discomfort, but family heard
now, will break forth as in peals of
thunder which will astonish you.
Pass such bill as that already de-
nounced "as food for the legal fraterni-
ty," and not year will pass before
the members who aid in framing such
a bill will regret their lack of wisdom
in not looking to the peoples rights.
A new debt question will be opened up
for some purpose. 1t will become po-
ltical, so far at least, as to keep for
ever from our Legislative halls those who
favor it or anything approximating it.
And the party responsible for such an
act will meet in all our rural districts
with the sternest if not bitterest oppo-
sition. Only few days ago heard a
well.known Republican say: "wipe
out the whole thing am for it," A
word to the wise is enough.
"LOoKER-0N."
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