Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-11-11
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. IL, 1886
Coupons-The Legislature.

ECUilcuan III SputuN'Nt NhSlbio
writes us that efforts are being made in
that section, cspccislly by the Republicans,
10 induce the taX.pai ors TO tender coupons
I'm pay ment Of their taxes, and that there
~ strong disposition even among Demo
Crafts 10 do SO. The miscbef-makers Use
the alignment that the people OF Richmond
and other cities pay their taxes in coupons
at about fifty cents on the dollar, and that
for this reason the country people ought to
nav in coupons. This argument derives,
OF course, all its force not from anything
that the people Of the cities have really
done, but from the fact that the country peo-
pie are many OF them somewhat preludlced
against city people and too ready to believe
any story that charges the latter with
taking an undue advantage OF their rural
fellow.citizens.
The same gentleman writes us that he
learns that the bondholders are very much
opposed TO an extra session OF the Legisla-
ture. Wesre not surprised to hear this. The
bondholders are making desperate effort
10 induce the people to tender coupons in
payment OF taxes. II they succeed to any
considerable extent this fall, and there
should be no extra session OF the LegislI-
turc, and consequently no new law
passed to protect the Treasury from
those "cut.worms," there is no tell
ing how large a stream OF cou'
pons would flow into the Treasury next
year. Governor LIE knows, however, the
language Of the debt plank 81 the platform
upon which be was elected. and knows also
that tho people Of Virginia rely upon him
10 see that the Commonwealth shIll pas
safely through her present troubles, and
gain victory over those who are trying to
make her pay from ten u fifteen millions Of
dollars more than the RDDLEBERGER bill
provides for paying, although her voters
have declared At the balOt-boX that they
will settle on no other terms than those con-
tanned in that bill.
We saw l,ading member OF the House
OF Delegates in this city last week, who
told us that he was in favor OF an extra ses.
sion OF the Legislature, and OF providing
by law that each county aud city shall be
assessed with and required to pay into the
State Treasury it, Just proportion Of the
taxes necessary to the support OF the state
government. He informed us that in
doing so Virginia would only be following
the plan long m use in the State OF New
York, and in use for a shorter period in
other States. Not dollar OF taxes will
under such law be due to the state by
any person, and consequently 20 person
will be able to pay his taxes in coupons.
We presume that Governor LEE bears all
these matters in mind, and will IN due
time convene the General Assembly In ex-
ira session " the condition OF things Shall
seem to demsnd new legislation. However,
we have BOT mentioned the subject to him.
The term OF the present Legislature VIII
extend not only throughout the coming
winter, but through a large part OF next
wear. Sothe Governor need not act unit
he l. fully convinced that an emergency hat
arisen sucn a. IL contemplated IN the Con
sttutiOn. lie l. bound, OF course, % con
yene the General Assembly "OE application
OF two thirds Of the members of boil
houses thereof" but in the absence OF sucl
application he need convene il only whei
Sin has opinion the interest OF the Cosl
monwealth may require it,"
P.s.-since writing the foregoing article
We hsye received the communication OF w
PoPE DADNHY, Esq, which appears In an
other column, and which presents stron.
array Of reasons In favor Of an early extr
session OF the General Assembly.