Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-02-02
ALEXANDRIA, Va
TUESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 2.
The SUPREME COURT COUPON DECISION

YEsrERDAY.-The decisions rendered last
spring by the Supreme Court OF the on1teo
States fixed uaalterably the right OF Inc
Virginia tax payer to pay his State taxes
in tax receivable coupons. The decision
rendered yesterday guarantee MIN Inc pro-
tection of the federal court in case MS ten-
der OF coupons is ignored and the collector
attempts afterwards to enforce, by levy, a
psvmcnt in money. In the decision
last spring the court was oiVloeo
in opinion on tho right of the tax
payer to sue the collector when coupons
were refused. Tho minority held that such
a suit was in effect suit against the State,
and therefore prohibited by the constitu-
tional amendment. The majority held
otherwise, and now, unanimous Court,
recognizing the majority opinion as
having settled the law OF the case'
decided on yesterday that any COL
lector who should venture to levy after tom
der of coupons, was liable to exemplary Dam
ages, as for wi!ful traspass, and was SO liable
in the Circuit Court of the United States.
Under this decision whoever owes State tax
of any sort, little or much, license or prop
erty tax, may tender to the treasurer tax
receivable coupons-and after such a tender
the Treasurer will modest him Mt his peril.
The court declares it the duty OF the circuit
court to instruct the jury to assess such
damages against the offending treasurer as
will deter him from repeating his illegal levy.
These decisions give the coup dc grace TO
the ridiculous and humiliatirg attempts OF
certain members of the Legislature OF Nir-
pinja 10 override the constitution OF the
United States and to subvert the. tunda-
mental principles Of common honesty and
morality. Is there no member of that body
who has the political sagacty- to put the
matter on no higher grourd-Lhe political sa-
gacity to affirm, in his place, that expedi-
ency aud principle alike require repeal OF
all tho legislation Intended to hinder the
payment of the public debt, and the adop-
ton of Slan for an honorable and satisfac-
tory settlement with The public creditors
-.----==
Mr.. INGALLS,, Of Kansas, is as sectional
aud partisan in his rcpuhlicanism SIS any
other republican Senator, bat that fact does
not effect his natural OR acquired knowl-
edge, and he i distinguished IS much for
his common sense a. COR his cultured educa-
ton. Here Is what he says about the civil
service humbns:
"I belong to that school Of republicanism
which believes that Presidcn. Cleveland is
entitled, in The discharge at his duties. to
have the revenues collected and disbursed,
and the practical operations Of his govern
mcnt conducted by his party friends and
those who are politically IL sympathy with
him. Regarding the doctrines Of civil SER
vice reform as announced by its apostles as
pernici1us and considering the tenure-oi-
office act 10 no unconstitutional, concede
the paWer Of the President TO make such
changes in the patronage OF tho different
executive departments of the government
as he deems best. | think tho republicans
of Kansas, and Of the west generally, main
tain similar views, aud that they feel that
when the political power Of the country
was conlided to President Cleveland gem
eral change in the public service WAS antici-
pated."
But it required the possession of no education
nor of an extra amount of common sense to in
ducc Mr. ingalls, to take his view of the civil SER
vice question. 1t Is said the administration is
run upon business principles; but how can that
be if the men who are TO carry out its principles
and policy arc opposed to both:
--"
Now THAT the highest court in the land