Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-04-09
GOVERNOR LEES ADDRESS.
ON PAYING TAXES IN COUPONS.

The following is Gov. Lees address
issued in accordance with resolution Il
the legislature.
Whereas the following joint resolutions
were adopted at the last session of the
General Assembly
Resolued By the Senate Of Virginia 1.-THE House
of Delegates concurring), That this General
| Assembly reiterate and reafflrm the Joint reso
lutions unanimously adopted by the General
Assembly of 1894, approved December 21.
| 1888, declaring the acceptance by the people
| of Virginia of the settlement of the debt OF
! the State provided for by the act approved
February IA, 1882.
The people of Virginia are determined that
no settlement of the State debt shall ever be
| made upon any basis less favorable to the
Commonwealth than that provided for by that
law and the acts amendatory thereof and
they will carry out in good faith the terms of
| that settlement SO far as the same have been
or may be accepted by the creditors of the
| State.
The highest considerations of patriotism,
public policy, and self-interest demand that
the taxpayers of the State shall not cooperate
| with these public creditors, who are harrass-
ing the people of the Commonwealth by vexa-
tious litigation by seeking to force coupons
into the Treasury in the payment of taxes.
And the General Assembly appeals to the tax
payers of Virginia not to speculate upon the
necessities of the Commonwealth or take ad-
vantage of the State and those of her citizens
who cannot avail themselves of this means for
paying taxes by seeking to discharge their
dues to the State in deprecated paper.
The Governor Of the Commonwealth is re-
quested to communicate these aud the reso-
buttons above referred to by public proclama-
ton or otherwise to the holders of the OBJ
legations of this State, calling upon them to
come in. and accept the terms of settlement
prctfereu to them.
The Governor is also requested to issue his
proclamation to the people and Taxpayers of
this State urging upon them the duty and i'm
portance of standing by the Commonwealth
in this emergency
Now. therefore. 1. Fitzhugh Lee, Gov
ernOr of Virginia. in accJrdauce with the
request contained in said resolutions, do
hereby issue the following proclamation
for the purpose of communicating to all
concerned the foregoing resolutions and
to carry out the purpose Of them, BY an
appeal to the people of Virginia to stand
steady IN defence of the position the State
has taken in order 70 promote order, peace
and prosperity within her limits.
The troublesome coupon is the offspring
by direct descHuL OF the funding act of
1O61s l. uklu6E WutCtl tudG
bill was passed are we'll known in Virginia,
and are of character to excite general
condemnation. az Was shown by repeal
of the law at the very Lext session of the
Legislature. 1t Is Tot my purpose to enter
into any detailed Statement here to prove
the INJUSTICE done the State by that act,
and cast no reproach upon those mem
bers OF the Legislature who, in accordance
with the dictates Of conscience, voted for
the bill.
It can bs demonstrated, however, that
it attempts to bind the State for the pay
ment OF hofe Than Ave millions Of war ln=
terest for which she is not legally respon=
sible in any form; that If seeks to appro.
pirate to the claims of creditors, funds In
violably appropriated to the cause of edu-
stion by the CONSTITUTION. . CONSTITUTION
adopted long antellorto Che passage OF the
funding bill.
since the termination of the war the
State has paid in cash, up to October /,