Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-10-24
PERSON al.
A @ A r d

The Board OF Indemnity on Tuesday last
published In the state an address ur der tue
signature OF +. q. Rnfiin, president. 10 the
Taxpayers and voters OF Virginia. crti-
csiUg and cOndemning the action OF the
treasurer Of Norfolk and my self In refusing
10 levy for taxes after s. tender OF coupons
has been made. Justice to myself requires
that shall explain my actions In the mat
ter and my reasons for them. Legal dis
CUssions In newspapers, eren Uhen carried
on TN trained lawyers. rarely convince any
body or accomplish anything. Ana do
lot propose TO attempt 20 answer all the
arguments OF Mr.. Rufin. president, as 10
he receivability OF coupons for ctpitation-
and scbOOl-taX further than Ia say tnat the
rsfU same arguments have been recently
made, run much more force HHn ne ln1tes
Hen. to the Circuit Court of the United
safes and were by that court entirely dis
regarded and Orerrui'd IL is true as said
10y Ar. r. q. Ruilin, president, that was
elected by the Democratic party. bat In
performing the duties Of my Office have
OpSidered 10 my duty u9ttD nil up tir fIUS
Of the State with resolutions ~; cOarcHij0gs.
policies NJ parties. and tchtRiSicdi dic'dtDHS
Of Indemnify bedrds but to carry them ont
rs construed and deVHcd by courts OF nm
petent Jurisdiction and authority. The
supreme Court OF the United states de
cided that a treasurer VINO levied after
tax. payer had rendered coupons was tres
patser. The Hastings Court OF the city OF
Richmond "a state court, following the de-
clklOn Oh the ShlEtHlt ADuIls ItluScu " III
Diet parties VINO were doing business with
out license after tender OF coupons. the
Circuit court OF the United states In test
cases gave damages and costs agalnsL
the treasureIs. In view OF these facts
IL became matter Of grave con
alteration with me what | should do.
The supreme Count had decided whd, m
idU UdS, the Circuit Court mad SHOWN what
the practical UsrkiHg OF II would be even
under the most favorable circumstances.
The Indications amounted 10 certainty
that numbers OF suits would be brought
against me, the Actual damages eyen aud
COSTS in which would amount To enough 10
sWeepaWay all the properly or myself ana
thOso who had been kind enough 10 become
NY sureIies, fine probability was too that
these cults would he pending for years. ne
liability OF myself and my bOndsncn con-
tiuuing all the while. In the mean time
tie indemnify ing act might be repealed by
snolher Legislature or 10 might he decided
by The courts Unconstitutional aud Invalid,
as the cOuDSel for the bOrdhOlders has pup
licIy proclaimed his purpose to test It,
Moreover, 70 seemed 10 j. G that the Board.
Wh ich was created 10 indemnify treasurers
IN certain cafes. Was exceeding It's powers
M It's aciiOns were purely voluntary when
10 endaNOred 10 interfere with or INSTRUCT
the collecting officers Of the State. a.
against these circumstances and facts. on
the other hand, WAS this BOard OF Iudem-
nifty instrucung and urgi"g me 10 rotate
VIVA; hnep aud they odDHffd 20 he he t1T
SIMPLY LOT lilt pun pIHtS Oi NfnAIftttt anu
11StrUcfiou' / did not consider ~ my dVfV
10 tend mgssl( IN ann such purposes ana
cane 10 the conclusion that ought not 10
make the levy But before deciding finally
about the matter ! determiuei to confer
win my bOndsmen, whom 7 considered
liable for any trespass committed ny mo
And RS to their liability (wuich Nc. Ruflin
president, denies have been advised b.
counsel that there can DO little ques-
ton; and in support OF their opl1.
ION they refer me. among others
to the case OF LRmmon IS. Feuser
decided by the Supreme Court OF the United
Htates in III United states Reports which
so completely decides q similar question,
that II Mr. Kunin. president, will read 1t,
even he Will be bound to surrender his
opinion, as that case at least was decided by
q unanimous court, and ne won't have his
usual consolation OF asserting that the
opinion Of The DiinOrugis the law. con
ferIed not with tWO OF my boudsmen rs Mr.
Rufiin, president, asserts. Out with AL OF
them, except one or two who were not ac-
cefsible, and tsey, without dissenting
voice sustained me IN my conclusions and
whale did not, as insinuated By Mr., Rut-
nm, president. form any combination with
any other treasurer yet ! am grRtited TO
slate that crcrY treasurer In the state with
whom ! have conferred. or or JrODI WiOBt
hare hcdTd, has endorsed mn action. inc
VOleTs and taX-payers WILL doubtless be
surprised TO learn. what | feel Justified In
stating u con the best authority that the
Attorney General who Is member OF the
Board OF Indemnity, did not APP. ore OF the
resolution directing the address OF Mr. Rut-
lin, TrCsdent, and moreover, that re- The
accredited counsel NJ The state. JChOs' peculiar
dufy il is IL Gdrise It's officers tgW not ia
druct he treGsUrers 10 icug after a iender Of
coupons. | have constantly used all my II
FORKS and influence to induce the citizens OF
Richmond to pay their taxes In money,
and not in coupons that the state might
carry on her government, and | believe
that thousands OF dollars IN coupons have
been kept out Of the Treasury which would
have been paid in had adopted q less con-
cilatOry course. 1 confidently believe
that the agitation OF the coupon ques-
tiOn by the members OF the Indemnity
boaId and the threats aud eXtre me me-
ihcds and measures that they are inclined
10 resort TO hare done more L. BRING about me
pnJmcHf OJ f0JcS IN OUpOpS han all me nc
iOnSO( on NE tTedsirfrS tn me state fOgefhcr
do not feel that there is any moral 90 legal
ibligEilOn upon me, or that the welfare OF
my State requires me o resign my position
10 enable the Indemnity Board to carry
out, not he lars OF the stats. but their poll
~, and believe the people OF Richmond
will sustain me In the course / nave taken.
The statement made by Sir Rniiin. pres
cent, that / ever assured the Board That
would arrest coupon .tenderer or levy on
MIN, or 90 any Ing else that might be or
iered by H." lisa mistake never did any
such thing. Many OF the arguments and
statements Of Mr.. Ruflin, president, have
not attempted To repy TO. because | deemed
them iinmaterial and II would take too
much space. have endeavorei only TO put
myself In proper light be fore the people.
Assistant Treasurer City OF Richmond.
oc "a lts