Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-06-25
THE Difference.

weeks ago, in which we stated Oul
position on the coupon question.
The Register tries to place the
responsibility for the present STATE
of the law which allows coupons tC
be paid in for taxes upon the Su
preme Court of the United States
1t says that the Supreme Court is
"dlmost soIidW RCpUbicdR.' The
Supreme Court of the United
States is composed of nine Judges,
Of rhom eight are Republicans.
There is, however, unfortunately
for the argument of the Register,
one Democratic Judge on that
Court, AND HE PRACTICALLY MADE
THE DECISION THAT COUPONS
MUST BE RECEIVED FOR TAXES.
Four Republican judges were
against the constitutionality of the
Virginia coupon law, and four were
for it, which left the deciding vote
entirely with Judge Fields, the one
Democratic Judge on the Court.
1t is matter of record and one
which the Register can not get oyer
that this flashlights Democratic
Judge gave his vote in favor of the
decision which made it possible for
the taxpayers to pay in coupons.
Now our readers can see how the
Democratic party stands so far as
it is represented on the Supreme
Bench.
Instead then OF the Republican
Supreme Court being responsible
for the decision 1t is realty the DEM
ocratic Judge on that court 'cho is
responsible. AS to Judges Bond and
Hughes they are as the Register
well knows bound by the decision
of the Supreme Court. The Courts
over which they preside are only
subordinate Courts, and are there
fore obliged to conform to the law
as laid down by the Supreme Court.
So it resolves itselfinto this, that
really Judge Fields-the Demo
cratic Judge-bas by his casting
vote compelled the Republican
Judges, Bond and Hughes, to decide
as they have done, and have more
over compelled it's State officers to
receive when rendered for taxes.
SO much for the Registers charge
that these Republican courts are
responsible tor the law as it now
stands.
Now we again repeat that We
believe the payment of taxes in
coupons will temporarily interfere
with our schools, and otherwise
embarrass our State government,
but what are we to do about it =?
Are we to denounce and abuse men
for doing what the law allows them
to do And for doing what the
Democratic party made is possible
for them to do?
Ifthat is what the Register wants
us to do we can assure it that we
will never be found encroaching up
on the province which essentially
belongs to the Bourbon Democracy.
We have never believed it right to
denounce any man or set of men
simply because they differed with
us, and not believing it right to do
so we will never allow ourselves to
be placed in that position.
Abuse, villihcation, intolerance,
bulldozing, and such like means,
have ever been favOrite means with
certain so called Democratic politi-
clans to accomplish their end. a
few short years ago this same intol-
Grant set wished to drive out of
Virginia all those who proposed to
try by lar to prevent the use of
coupons. Now they are almost as
intolerant on the other side.
We will say, however, for the
comfort of the Register, and so that
our position can nos be mistaken
or misstated, that We repeat that
it would be a great thing for the
State 1crery taxpayer in the state
,couid pay his tGres IN moacg. We
repeat that this would save our
state many troubles which seem
now to be in store for her in the not
distant future.
But-and now comes the practic-
al part of the whole question are
the coupons to be stopped or even
checked by appeals to the taxpay-
ers not to pay in coupons' Isn't it
child's play to endeavOr to accom-
plish the object in that manner'
When the taxpayers Of Rocking
ham and other counties know that |
the taxpayers OF Richmond, Lynch
burg, Fredericksburg, and other
places, are saving, only temporarl-
" it may be, fifty cents on the dol
ar by paying in coupons, does any
sane man believe they will stand
back and pay dollar for dollar
md then when the burdens of tax
ltion are increased have to bear
heir proportion without having
'eaped any of the benefits of pay
ng in coupons I 1t isn't in human
nature to do 50. They won't do
/.
The Register and its party may
is well then shoulder the RESPONSE
,ility and pass the necessary legis-
alton to stop the influx of coupons.
They are in full control of the
State government, and must as