Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-11-25
PAYMENT OF TAXES.
Pay I'm Money. Not I'm COupOns-Right,
Ius,tee. and Patrt0fism Don,a and Il.

IL affords us pleasure 10 be enabled 10
state that our citizens are paying up their
taxes SO promptly with money, and not
with coupons. IL is creditable to them That
as yet not single person has offered 70
pay his city taxes in coupons, and we nope
that none will do so. Within one day last
week there was paid to the city treasurer
one tenth OF all the taxes due by the ell.
zens OF this city. This shows how well
they are paying up. We hope the citizens
Of The county will emulate the example OF
those Of the city, and that they likewise
win pay their taxes with money ana not
with coupons; for the man who pays In
coupons pays bis money to the bondholder,
and does not paw single cent for the sup
port OF the government, the free schools,
or the charitable institutions OF the state.
The burdens OF government should TALL
equally upon all the citizens III proportion
to their ability to bear them, aud hence 1t
Is wrong for one portion, and especially that
portion most able 10 bear them, to place all
The burdens for the support OF the govern
ment upon the other portion least able 10
bear them. This is not right, and our cltl-
Zens, we feel assured, il they will give this
subject due and impartial consideration,
will 50 conclude, and will do their duty az
good aud patriotic citizens by paying their
taxes in money, so that II will go to the
support OF the government, OF the Tree
schools, and OF the charitable and beneii-
cent institutions Of the State, and not into
the pockets OF the bondhol1ers and that OF
their agents. as it would do il they paid in
coupons.
Our counsel TO all who may be tempted
by those engaged in trying to seduce them
TO pay their money to the bondholders in
stead OF to the government, by the payment
Of their taxes in coupons, Is to reply 10
them thus: SECT thee behind me, SATAN
1t might not be out Of place to ask them,
how it comes that they are now such friends
Of the "cutwOrms OF the treasury
What potent agency has converted their
embittered hostility to the cut'worms
into such loving friendship FOR them? DO
they wish 10 see the government bankrupt,
the iree-scbools closed, the insane unpro-
yided for. the pupil. OF the Deaf, Dumb,
and Blind Institution sent to their homes
without the possibility OF being educated;
or, II not. do they wish TO have the taxes
doubled? II the taxes to any considerable
amount shall be paid in coupons, then one
or the other OF the alternatives just men,
toned will be inevitable. The duty OF the
tax payers is plain, and that is to pay their
taxes in mOneu. and to spurn every sus-
gestion TO pay in coupons as an insult to
their patriotism and sense OF right and jus.
tice to their State and fellow-tax. payers.
1t is wholly with the taxpayers whether
they will aid to wreck or save the govern
ment and the public schools. III they pay
in coupons, they aid in b1nkrupting the
State government and destroying the pub
lie schools; II they pay in money, they
will do their part towards sustaining and
preserving both. VIII you wreck or save
Choose We this day which ye will do.
Let your action be controlled by patriot
ism and justice. and not bya blind and
greedy cupidity that would in the end de-
feat its own object; for IL taxes be paid in
coupons the rate Of taxation must be in
creased. or the State government will be
reduced to bankruptcy and ruin.
The fact that some may pay in coupons Is
no reason why YOU should, for you are not
justified in doing wrong because Others
NAV do so. Each is responsible for his own
act, and the wrong perpetrated by one cam
not excuse or eXculpate another.
II you will pay in money, you will kno,o
that YOU have done right, and your con-
science will be easy; for that 1t is right to
nav in money you cannot have the " shadow
Of shade" OF doubt, but you cannot he
thus certain that it is right to pay in cOu-
pons. To be positively sure that you will
do right, pay in money, and then you may
rest assured that neither your conscience
nor your neighbOrs can reproach you. PAY
in nlOney, and do your duty TO yourself and
state and justice to other taxpayers.
"Be sure yOll are right, then 30 ahead "
and pay your taxes in money, and then
your conscience will be easy and your re-
pose sweet, "with pleasant dreams and
slumEer5 light; " for the faithful perform
ance Of patriotic duty gives placid JOY and
peaceful repose. Do your duty-pay with
money.-StduntOn Spectator.