Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-12-05
mr.. Cooper, Again.
IWarrentOn True Index ]

Though we may weary with the subject
we cannot DISMISS IL. for IL i one Of vital
importance 10 the people Of Virginia. The
agent OF the foreign bondhOlders, Mr..
Cooper, his attorney, MIR. Royal, with their
sub-attOrneys and sub-agents, are Wanting
themselves before the people. deriding the
laws OF the State, hooking us in our eX.
tremitv because backed by a Federal court,
and are making every effort 10 induce our
neople 10 stultifv themselves and destroy
the revenues OF the State by paving OF seek.
ing TO pay Heir taxes in coupons for which
they pay fifty cents on the dollar. II we
had no other appeal TO make TO ell such
persons, we think a due consideration
Of the injustice they do to others
who pay their taxes dollar for dol.
lar. would move them to bear equally the
expenses Of a government which protects
property-the property generally ofthe
wealtlieT class oil the people the num-
Der who have need OF coupons are con-
paratiyey few. Bit lest such an appeal
may not move them we will undertake to
show the folly OF such course. Let Us
reason together: Even the invincible Mr.
Boz does not hold that the tax payer can
force the state into court and make her
accept coupons for taxes. He interfcre'
only when the State seeks TO levy upon the
property OF the TAXPAYER, giving him
damages equal to the amount OF taxes, and
allowing him to retain his coupons for an.
other years unexpectedly permitting
him TO present any pieces OF paper and cali
them cOupons-as he is not required TO
verify them.
As "no time runs against The STATE
she can proceed 10 collect her taxes in
her own time. In the mean while the tax
bills, amounting to large amount, would
be hen upon the landed property which
would affect all transfers, and the state
would not have s judicial decision asain.t
her. - by the other methods, which would
be all the recC ipt for taxes the taN-pIyer
would ak or could desire. Again. il a
sufficient number PAID in coupons TO clog
the wheels Of government, but two courses
would be left. In the former case greatly
increased taxation or open reputation.
II the larger taxpayers should continue
TO pay in coupons the lesser taxpayers
would not submit to IT. they would be un-
willing TO pay for the protection OK the
property OF their richer ncighborS, and
they would advocate and adopt absolute
reputation Of the whole debt, when those
owning the BONDS would lose both princi-
pal and coupons. Nor would Virginia sui.
fer more than now. The yilliiication al
ready heaped upon her canhot be increased
thereby, for every effort has been made by
abuse and vituperatIOn to make the people
do that which they have decided they were
not able or wiling to do.
The Democratic plrty Slrug9 led for years
TO carry ont the NcCulloch agreement
against the Malone party, backed by the
Administration in Washington. although
unsided bv the bOndholdeTs IN whose in
t,restS they were fighting; nay, they even
sought the favor OF Malone, the stronger
psriy as they believed, and as he proved tn
be. They rendered no assistance, they OF.
fered no counsel, and now that Malone
gave them terms tn y are unwilling 10 ac-
cept; they ale dragging the state into the
Federal courts. corrupting her attorney.
inducing her citizens To. become agents to
tie injury if not 10 the destruction Of their
State; inciting lawsuits, stirring up strife,
and, as we learn, they are seeking TO induce
MahOneites who passed the Riddleberger
bill, and who are ready TO do anything for
office or position, to repudiaie their own
action and 20 for such a compromise a the
bondholdeTs may choose 70 offer, well know
ing that II they can get the people divided
they can better work their purposes. We
again say to the bOndhol1erS, beware else
YOU may lose both principal and interest.
for the people will not be taxed further to
pay the interest on bonds bought Of the ORR
ginal holders ia many cases for less Than
forty cents in the dollar.