Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-08-08
Words of Warning.

guished sons distinguished not less as
. judge than as . lawyer. Weigh well
bis words:
TO the Editor of the Dispatch:
have read with much care your re.
cent editorials on the debt question and
on the =" Dulaney CASE" and they COM
mand my hearty appreciation. Whilst
other Democratic editors have taken
sides with the bondholders or observed
. studied silence and cold neutrality,
your course has been consistent
throughout, 10 accordance with the
policy and pledges Of the Democratic
party and the true interest of the State.
No greater mistake can be made than
to suppose that the people Of Virginia
have changed in the slightest degree
with reference to the Riddleberger set
Element. The determination to stand
by that settlement to the end is as fixed
to-day in the public mind as it was in
the beginning. undertake to say that
the party advocating its abandonment
or an increase of taxation is doomed to
q disastrous defeat.
Certain editors and protested finan-
ciers tell us that in view of the recent
decisions of the Supreme Court Of the
United States the Democratic party
ought to change its policy. These gen.
tlemen seem to forget that the plank in
the Democratic platform on the debt
question was reaffirmed and reasserted
after the Supreme Court had rendered
its most obnoxious and Objectionable
decision. On that plank we went into
the canvass last fall. On it we retained
the confidence Of the people and
achieved our victory. If they who ad-
vocate change of policy mean any
thing they must mean that the State
authorities shall disregard the acts OF
the last Legislature and throw wide open
the door to the unlimited use Of coupons
in the payment Of taxes. The result of
such policy is certain and inevitable
q return to the endorsements Of
1879 and 1880, when the Treasury was
bankrupt and the Government suppl.
ant at the feet of the banks for tempo
rary loans to save it from a disgraceful
collapse. If the collecting officers are
instructed to receive coupons by whom.
soever rendered, everybody who can use
them will, of course, pay in coupons;
and it requires no prophetic eye to
foresee that in . short time there will
not be money enough in the Treasury
to defray the ordinary expenses Of the
Government. Let the experiment be
made; let the coupons be received, and
let us 20 before the people in the
elections Of 1887 with an empty Trea-
sury and tell them that new settle
ment must be made and taxation must
be increased, and then we shall see the
return to power of General Ma
hone and his hungry horde of fol-
lowers, who, like birds of evil omen,
are now waiting and watching
for the opportunity to tear and devour
the yitals of the State. If they should
obtain even a majority of one in the
Legislature they will organize it into
compact mass, expel Democratic men,
bers enough to override the Gov
ernor's veto, and then the rich mer-
chants and bankers of Richmond and
Lynchburg and other cities who use
coupons in paying their taxes may look
out for the evil days. Some Of your
city people, instead Of strengthening
the hands of the Board of Indemnity
instead of attempting to arouse
wholesome public sentiment on this
suestion--are finding fault with every
body and everything done at the Capt.
toll, and are simply paving the way for
the defeat Of the Democratic party in
the next election.
l do not endorse the action of the
State authorities in every particular. If
under the instruction Of Republican
judges grand juries will not find indict-
ments against parties in Richmond and
Lynchburg who are pursuing licensed
business in plain violation Of law, the
Commonwealth attorneys ought to be
instructed to file information against
them. If these judges persist in dis
missing the information let the cases be
taken to the Supreme Court Of the State.
! think We need have no fears Of the re-
suit in that court.
With this exception the course of the
Board of Indemnity is to be highly
commended, and they ought to be ap-
plauded and strengthened, and not
criticised and pulled to pieces by gen.
tlemen calling themselves Democrats.
If the entire metropolitan press would
come boldly to the front and bring
its power 70 bear on this question Mr..
Royal would signAlly fail to rally SO
many taxpayers of Virginia to the aid
Of the bondholders. The country would
not see the extraordinary spectacle now
exhibited by citizens and sons OF Vir-
ginia who are asking ct the hands of
juries vindictive damages against their
own State because they are required to
contribute something to the support of
the government which guards and pro-
tscts them in the possession of their
property--in the enjoyment Of liberty
and the pursuit Of happiness.
There was much noise in the Delaney
case. We heard loud manifestoes and
proclamations of = recovery that would
shake the State. The note Of prepare
ton was immense-and behold the re-
suit; Parturiaas monies, naseefar RI
diculus mus
Why, Mr.. Dulaney knows, or oughtto
know, that be- would have accomplished
the same result in his own county by .
tender Of coupons accompanied with
the payment Of money under the act Of
January IA, 1882. So soon IS his cou-
pons were verified under that act his
money would have been returned to
him, and he would stand where he now
stands without in1icting upon his own
State ell the expense and cost to which
she has been subjected. II Is impossi-
BILE to see without regret man Of Mr.. |
Dulapey's wealth and social position |
lending himself TO such : warfare |
sgsinst bis own State. Let me ask him
aud tboss who initiate bis s1smple I'll
I ! - NJ. = 4 xrs.~s-s~.... 4 -.