Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-11-30
''THE PUBLIC DEBT"
rs ii Wisdom in the Taxpayer to Use
..lhe Coupon %,

|
My excuse for this letter is "the auld
lang syne," my kind feeling towards you
and my special desire to continue democratic
supremacy in "the federal" and State" gov
erEments Tell me-; WHO is r. T. Lucas :?
/ Whence did he come ard how long has he
lived in Alexandria? What his politics :;
for whom did he vote in 1881, and at the past
November election Mr.. R. L. Carne and
himself differ widely as to the effect OF pay
ment OF taxes in coupons. AS leaders of
pubic opinion and the peoples advisors I
wish to compare them. will ask Mr.. Luz
Cas- to append to his advertisement in your
paper, the exact number and value of "fhe
overdue coupons held by, and under tho
control of his principals, 1.-THE foreign bond
holders" and (if he CAM give the number
and date of the bonds, to which the coupons
belong? This information will enable your
readers TO decide between Mr.. Carpe and
himself
In this connection, it gives me pleasure
to return thanks to your young and prom
islng townsnan, my friend James K. N, Nor.
tom, for his article in your issue of Novem-
Der 9th past upon the right of property in
the coupon after it has been rendered. &c.
&c. In my judgment he has written wise
ly and well, and his argument is tersely put
clear ana convincing. Its tone, temper and
substance were as pleasing, to me az the
tone, temper and substance of your paper.
fora long time past, has been depressing
and disagreeable. Are you not a demo-
Graf am sure you are genuine, true and
tried. Why, then, do you not stand by and
uphold the hands OF your friends. Your
criticism CT your party, its leaders and the
administration, exceeds all that read in
the republican journals. Stop this course, 1
beseech you.
know it is doing damage much damage,
and it persisted in will result in returning
our State to Malone and his republican
Iparty who held it for about one quarter Of a
century. November's State election is "the
handwriting on the WALL" therefore, be
warned. Ii the President makes mistakes
overlook them, or be charitable in YOUR
criticism. His administration is not. per
haps, everything you and hoped for or de.
sired, nay expected. Call it bad" if YOU
please, catalogue his mistakes and errors,
Is not Cleveland an "angel Of light" com.
pared with any of his predecessors Again
compare the condition of "our party" in
and out of the State with the past and be
happy. fear you did not keep, as YOU
should have done, the 25th inst. (Thanks.
giving Day. For myself I especially re-.
turned thanks for Grorer Cleveland and a
democratic administration; and, verify for
this blessing at home and at the nations
capital, I do give God thanks.
Taxpayers" of your city, you tell me,
use the coupon" They agree, then, with
Mr. Lucas, and have adopted his views.
/ Will you and they read again Gov.
Lees letter, dated November %, 1855
10 Senator-eect John w. Daniel, and will
you mark, learn and inwardy digest it {?
If you do you will find out your mistake
and, hope, correct it.
an no "politician." I have mo axe to
grind" love the old Commonwealth she
Is my home and for generations past was
the home OF my ancestors, and beneath her
SOD their mortal remains rest. Would that
she could and would pay 1.-The public debt"
But her governor, her officers and her Gen.
eral Assembly tell ME she can not. / must
and do beliece them. Counsel peace, do
not be stirrer up of strife between man
and man, the citizen and The State. As q
'lreinian hold up for the poor "Old Domin.
ION: These, to Inc, are sad days and DAYS
OF tnai. Our bone of contentionn is the
pubic dcbt. Lawsuits, rs many as the
leaves in ''ValIambrosa )" decretal orders
and learned opinions from federal and State
Judges do not cannot help. Use one rene.
ny open to us, and my word for it, this ,rou-
BILE will be ended. had almost said it is
the only way of deiiverance. The crisis is
at bard There can he no doubt.
That, II the taxpayer makes use of 1.-THE cou.
pom" to pay his tax, the treasury will be
empty. He will pay no money into it. how
then, can the State have money? Without
money, how can the schools be kent opcn
and the Government do its work ? What
VIII become OF our courts aud how will
crime and vice DO punished? What is to
become of "ou1' nnfoHundtcs," the deaf, the
dumb, the blind and the insane? Think of
this, taxpayers of Virginia, and.ye. who have
used the foreign bondholder's coupons"
to pay or, TO tender payment" of your dues
TO the Commonwealth. and we. too, who
have dragged her officers before federal
judges TO be tried for trespass and there
mucted in heavy damages upon these
things! What is the remedy? Plain and
simple Taxpayers do your duty to the State
in this hour of her peril-pay in money. Do
! this, simple as it is, and you will settle "the
yexed debt question" forever.
1fyou do not, what then? No money in
Tho treasury. The State Government must
be supported, and to do this the tares must
be increased. Rest assured, the payment OF
taxes IN coupons is penny wise and pound
toolish"-"savug at the spigot, but losing at
the bung."
| Are my farmer friends in Loudouu, Culpeper Or.
angc, Prince William, Alexandria, Fairfax and
Fauquier ready to have their taxes increased
ana will they contribute to bring this about.
| Before they answer ME, nay, before any one OF
hem invests in "Mc coapon." l beg them to
count over The rcturns' from cattle, wheat and
corn Tor three years past. Self-interest and IA
trotlsm 10Th require ttat they shall pay thtir
fares IN money. Virginia asks this of her child.
rem, and tho exigcncy of the hour requires it, IF
son shall ask bread of any of you who is father
WIZ nc give HIM stone? or if he asks fish will
he for fish give him scrpont or if he a,ks am
egg Will he offer him Scorpion Very truly
yours, r. TAYLOR SCOTT.
COURT OF APPEALS YEsTERDAY.-Tbe
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