Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-12-24
FRIDAY DECEMBER "a, 1856
CAPTAIN Larews Plan-Again.

CAPTAIN Larews Plan-Again.
CAPTAIN |. II. LAREw writes us the fol-
lowing letter, which explains his scheme
for di,posing Of coupons more satisfactorily
than did bis first letter 10 us. We submit
that his suggestions are worthy OF serious
consideration;
To he Editor Of he Dispatch:
In ATTEMPTING 10 r, ply TO your criticisms
and suggestions IN your issue OF the 18Th
instant upon my letter appearing IN the
same issue, permit me 10 say that | take II
for granted tbai there are fer citizens com.
ao,otir.iv Of the State Of Virginia owning
nroperty in the State--engaged in business
In the Siate-particinating in the benefits OF
the State government aud as individuals
denepdept upon their fellow-citizens for
success. patronage. prosperity, and happi'
ness who are willing 10 pay their taxes IN
coupons of fifty cents IN the dollar nj
tbe EXPENSE OF their less fortunate
peigbbors. There are fewer still Who
would, il the opportunity were offered,
refuse TO paw in coupons in such WY
that all would participate in the result, or,
il that were impossible, by reason OF the
attitude Of the bOndholdors, be willing TO
nav in coupons at all. II this be not so,
our foes are they OF our own household.
and our hope for present relief Is de.
1uslye.
This sentiment against the payment OF
coupons IS taxes by individuals to the
dctriment Of the community at large is
mere
PASSIVE SENTIMENT.
Each individual who rcirains from pay
ment does so either because he Is not aO e,
or because he Is convinced that the pay
ment il unfair and unjust in it, cOnse.
quences.
What this spirit Of opposition to unjust
and unfair payments In coupons needs j.
nucleus around which II can crystalize.
through which it can make itself felt, and
by which ii may become an active power
for good.
The will OF the people expressed through
their representatives ia the manner pre-
scribed by law has been decreed thing tn
be spit upon and laughed at by their
would.b be masters the bondhodeTs.
The power invoked in this scheme is the
power that lies behind statute law aud the
CsnstitutioD-the power that made the
statute law and the Constitution
THE SOVEREIGN WILL OF TUE PEOPLE.
II Is the committee Of public safety, Or
ganized for the emergency in an hour when
the constituted authorities are powcrless TO
protest against The dominating tyranny Of
declared public fOe-organized not to yiO-
late right or justice, but 10 Use oil legal and
proper means to accomplish right and JUS
tee.
And il Is power that is not to be
scoffed at or treated lightly. Scarcely
wear has passed since the temperance or
ganizailon Of the Stlte-not the creator
but the creature Of the spirit Of opposition
to strong drnk-went before the COnven-
tions Of the two n eat parties and demanded
that the local.opliOn plank be incorporated
IN their platforms, and neither Convention
dared refuse.
Without organization The spirit of oppo-
sition 10 strong drink was something to be
praised, justified. commended, passed by.
disregGrded, aud forgotten. Crvsialized
about an organization it has moulded the
legislation OF the STATE, laid the foundation
OF future action. and become power
in the body polite OF the state, and IN nli
respects in perfect conformity With existing
law.
OPPOSITION TO PAYMENT u COUPONS
by individuals i now Overwhelming ia the
State, but without organization ono lall> ot
this year and another next; citizen after
GltiINN NltlVS 10 itt >fiH'llNt bil't 81 tif
hoadholdcr until enough are brought over
10 consume the mItuTed and maturing cou.
pous, and the boudhOider LAUGHS as he see,
approaching The full fIution Of his hopes.
You suggest it might &c better to
authorize the Auditor to purchase these
coupons at 80. 40, or even 30 per cent.
suppose such law were enacted, and
nothing done TO cOuutcract the effect Of the
bcndholdtr dealing directly with the tax
payer; il would simply offer the bond
holder the choice between dealing with the
state and the taxpayer, and that choice
would be determined by the price obtaina-
bic il some such orgauiz ,tlon A. ! suggest
were perfected which would have the effect
OF depressing coupons 10 the price fixed by
the State. cannot see why such law
should not be passed.
Again You ask what l. TO prevent men,
bcIs OF The association paying into the
Treasury
COUPONS AT THEIR FACE VALUE!
Under the plan propose the individual
taxpayer does not deal with the b0ndhOld-
oror pay taxes except through the medium
Of the organization-the organization pur-
chasos and pays coupons for the benefit ~
the members pro rata, aud II c0ntemplitcS
Iaying into the Treasury coupons at their
face value.
just TO The extent the revenues are re-
duced aud the taxpayers make a profit out
OF the Transaction, just TO that extent can
taxcs be increased TO meet the deficiency
without increasing the burden OF the tax
payer.
AGAIN: YOU ASK
what Is TO prevent a member OF the organi
zaiion from dealing In coupons on his owl
behalis reply, Having paid into the or
Vaniza,ion two thirds Of his taxes TO con
s,liute him q member for the current year
lac has no interest in doing so.
You ask will not the elect OF such an or
ganiza alton be to create u competition in tn
coupon market between members OF tn
union and othcrsf
1 reply that cardinal principle Of IN
union suggested is that no coupons shout,
be bought Tor more than 3Si per cent. O
their iace-yalue. II there WAS cOmpetiuOl
Therefore il would be bclO,o not dbOre thu
/ price. II 33s per cent. Is not below Tn
] value OF the coupons on toe basis OF IN
Riddleberger bill | would favor lowe
maximum price. The bOndholder Ia
forced this issue. The maximum shoul(
De low enough 10 make profit tina, vii
pay In money all tdIeS Of members Of 10,
small amount TO be paid In coupons.
This plan Is before the people for wha
Il worth, which may be very little.
IL Is manifestly for the direct interest o
nine tnihs OF The citizens the small an,
medium taxpayers. The other one tent
are the large taxpayers. After all, ii res,'
with one tax.pyer out Of ten 10 say
whether he Is willing that the present un
fair aud unjust condition Of affairs shall
continue, or the large taxpayers will stand
shoulder 10 shoulder with their fellow
citizens IN an effort 10 counterfeit The
schemes Of common enemy. Yours, &c,
|. II. LAREw.