The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1886-04-15
More Coupon Trouble.


More Coupon Trouble.
It is significant, that cotemporaneous
With the sensati onal s'bull" issued by
iov. Lee, in the shape of a proclamation,
the coupons, a motion was ar
sued before Judge Bond, Of the U. s.
court at Richmond, for mandamus to
compel the State officers to receive cou-
)ons from the treasurer of N0rthumber'
and, who had collected from the tax pay
BIS in currency. Judge Bond had, on a
previous occasion, decided that treasurer
could not pay in coupons what he had col
ected in money, but this decision had no
foundation In reason. The State Legisla-
lure had enacted and had printed on the
face of the coupons that they should
be receivable for all taxes and dues to the
State. 1t was not competent for the judge
TO say that one man who owed the State,
should pay in one kind of currency, recog-
nized by the State as legal tender for
taxes, and that another man should pay in
another kind of currency. He could no
more order the treasurer not to pay in cou-
pons than he could prohibit him from pay
ing in greenbacks or silver. Under the
act of the Legislature, coupons discharge
the mission Of specie OF paper money, in
payment of taxes, and it was illogical for
him to order discrimination.
UIf Judge Bond shall reverse his former
opinion, as it is believed he will, then it
will be competent for all treasurers to pay
the revenues they may collect in coupons,
whether they have received them or other
tax paying currency from the people. The
Taxpayers may discharge their obliga-
tions in money. but it will be in the power
of the treasurer to purchase coupons, and
hand them over to the auditor in
stead of money. This should not be and
we hope no treasurer will SO far forget his
duty as citizen of the State as to do so,
but as he would be violating no law and
subject himself to no penalty, it is within
the limits of probability, that many treas
urers will do so, should the decision OF
Judge Bond on the pending motion be In
favor of the coupon holder.
1t is stated that there are other cases,
similar to that of the Northumberland
treasurer, now in court, to the amount to
$3.50, 900, which, if received in coupons,
would seriously embarrass the State Treas
ury.
In English politics, when a government
policy is attacked, it is required of it's op:
ponents to indicate different and Compel
ing policy. It is the unwritten law of
public sentiment that requires this. A
wholesale assault upon the government
and it's measures, without offering for
consideration other measures for accep-
lance, is regarded as nothing more than
the idle yaporing Of restless agitators, in
whose hands it would be unsafe to entrnst
power. The policy offered for substitution
must address itself to the calm judgment
of the country and have In 1t elements
and characteristics which appeal to the
reason and can be defended as practical
and useful. 1t is different in this country.
For quarter of century the Democratic
party opposed every wise measure that
was adopted for the benefit of the people
and the advancement of the power and
honor of the nation. without offering
an alternative policy, or suggestion that
would admit Of acceptance. 1t simply
opposed everything that the Republicans
enacted or presented. and furnished no lins
of thought formulated no measure, which
as the foundation of a policy, could be de-
Tended in the forum Of debate. BY reit.
Grated false statements and ISLANDERS, the
Democracy finally succeeded in electing
the president and the popular branch OF
Congress. This carried with it response
bility and the necessity Of framing a pol
icy affecting the interests of the country.
different from that of the Republicans. on
which they could go to the people. 1t has
been staggering at and stumbling over this
for nearly five months, without approach
ing any nearer to a result than when II
commenced. And the indications now are
that the present session will close, without
any material change in the policy viii CT
vas found in operation when the Demo
cratic party came into power. Its sensa
tional clamor about the books of the Treas
ury department and the corruption thai
would be revealed when Democratic
experts were admitted to their examina
ton has exposed nothing for condemna
tion, or to justify the charges. There
will be no material modification of the
tariff laws, and no disturbance of the
financial system. which would modify the
policy that the Republicans had instituted
and upon which the country has grown t
greatness.
In other words the Dem oeFatie part,
has proved a failure as an administration
party. It's province is to tear down ant
not build up. Fortunately for the coun
try it cannot tear down so long as the Re
publleans hGld the Senate, and for this
reason the people may feel secure from tht
destructive tendency of modern pemoc
racy.
Postmaster General Villas rule that it
was offensive partizanism," and caus'
for removal from Office, for an officer O
the government to have been Republican
editor, is being applied by the Senate t.
Democratic editors. Mr.. Button, former
IL editor Of the Lynchburg Virginla's, win
was appointed postmaster'at that place b!
Mr.. Cleveland, has had some Of his ma
lignant ARTICLES against United State
Senators brought up in judgment against
him.. The result will be that his nomina
tion will be rejected Whereupon TIN
Democratic press of Virginia raise how
about free press.'' the liberty of thu
PRESS &c.. and the great outrage tina
would be perpetrated by the rejection o
Mr.. Button. 1t seems to us that it is ;
| poor rule that won It work both ways. I