Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-11-25
Shall the Governor tall the LegIs la
fnraY

Many papers OF the State that claim 10
be true to the Democratic party are
earnestly striving to persuade the taX-pay-
ers Of Virginia that the night way to pay
state taxes is TO Use coupons in defiance OF
State laws, because Judges Bond. Hughes,
and Mr.. William l.. Royal say it can be
done under the decisions OF the United
States supreme Count, and because the
Federal courts are ready and willing and
anxious to lend their aid TO the bond
holders as against the rights OF the sovereign
State OF Virginia.
II would seem as il bare statement Of
facts, without the evils consequent upon
such policy, would cause the people OF the
state to stand upas one man against such
proposition. But such is not the case.
On the contrary, many men seem to have
forgotten the definition OF the word patriot
ism when self.interest stands in the way,
and they make haste to strike hands with
Nr. Royal, Bond q Co., to do the bidding
Of the bondholders, whose OBJECT is to -
wound the finances Of the State that they
will dictate their own terms to our people
hereafter. This is the object Of Mr.. Royal
and his coadiutors who are busily engaged
I'm inyeigling the taxpayers into the trap
set for them, and he don't deny it, we are
sure. Touse coupons in payment OF taxes
is TO reopen the whole debt question, and
Mr.. Royall knows il, and laughs in his
sleeve at the stupid victims that follow his
suicidal suggestions. There is one COM
iorting reflection about this whole matter,
dsagrecable as it mas prove TO be, and that
is if Mr.. W. l.. Royal succeeds in bis we'll
laid plans to reopen the debt question, that
those large taxpayers that lend them
selves to the Royal scheme will be sure TO
feel severely the consequences Of any tron-
bic that may grow o't OF the bOndholder,'
policy, coupled, as it may be, by al in-
crease Of taxation.
But ASIDE from these potential reasons
for protecting the State Treasury from the
threatened dangers Of Mr.. Royal a Co.,
there i, another insurlnOuntable difficulty
in this matter. How can any true Demo-
| crat land we might also ask with equal pro.
prietv, Republican, so far forget the
| pledges OF his party, both in the Conycn-
| ton and the halls Of legislation, as to ylo-
| late the solemn promises so often made and
| reiterated to sustain in good faith the Rid
| dleberger settlement Still he says It is a
| State matter and 81 am no part OF the
| State" On the contrary, is not each indi-
yidual an integral part OF the State whose
acts touch ana shape the very policy OF
| government ITSELF This being true the
| greater the intelligence and opportunities
| Of good or evil, the greater the response
| bilties resting upon each citizen TO do his
part fairly and justly to his countrymen in
| all the walks and obligations Of citizenship.
Can men who act outside OF party
| pledges. and who openly eyade State Laws
| 10 shelter behind Federal courts de-
cision. be numbered among the patriots OF
Virginia. They may be, but to us it seems
almost incomprehensible, and we predict
that the day is not far distant when such a
policy on the part Of the "large tax
Payers" and editors OF the public press, il
persisted in, will estrange the great voting
population Of the State from them and
leave property at the mercy OF the non-taX-
payers who will see to it that the schools
and asylums OF the Commonwealth are pro-
tectcd and provided for regardless OF eX.
pense or party ties.
We insist that no Democrat or Republ.
can paper in Virginia has any right to >ay
aught TO impair the Riddleberger settle.
ment, endorsed by both parties ot the
State, and we 20 further, and say that any
effort 20 induce taxpayers 10 use coupons
IN payment Of State taxes is in direct con-
trayen'ion Of State policy, promulgated by
both parties In Virginia.
For these reasons, when so many combi-
nations are being made, so many lntima.
tions gwen that large amount OF the next
years taxes will be paid in coupons to the
great embarrassment and prejudice OF the
Commonwealth, Is II not the duty Of the
Governor TO see TO it at once, and il need
be call the Legislature together immedi.
ately and provide, il possible, remedy for
| the impending meDaceSl
We have never yet advocated forclble re.
adjustment OF the State debt, but the ques.
tion now arises. after the people have
solemnly pledged themselves in convention
to abide by and support The Riddeberger
bill, and that pledge having been ratified at
the polls, Howfar Is the law-making po yer
OF the State to be invoked to support and
carry out those pledges in good falths We
ale inclined 10 trust the Governor with the
whole question, and II he shall think the
eXigences Of the hour demand a convOca-
ton OF the Legislature at this time and so
| proclaim, We shall be prepared to endorse
and sustain whatever he may see fit to do in
the premises, for we shall strive to make
| our duty to Virginia paramount to every
other obligation. Caroline Sentinel.