Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-12-08
'EhN kecbt sAuaS1in,t.

The EScbt esues1icn.
To the editor Of the Iler0ndrin Gazette, tdr.
payers Of Virginia, AID those in authority:
The GAZETTE having kindly given
the opinions and arguments OF the very able
counsel for lie State Indemnity Board, Alt
dltor ana other officers. also tho very clever
letter OF Mr. Speaker stuart, as wa! IS The
propositions and grievances cfthe creditors,
and opinions OF counsel representing some
of the Ireasurers refusing to levy wbc1
coupons have been rendered, l have beet!
waiting for some,taxpayer VINO nyd made !.
tender OF coupons. much ADLER than myself
to say something from his standpoint upon
this important question
Ny disinclination 10 appear in p.int
would deter ME, but for the fact tna! the
patriotism Of the coupon tenderer has baen
assailed By some Of the first named: AMI
every democratic coupon rendered, Of which
am ono, is arrai2ned over .he shoulders OF
Mr.. John n. Johnson, 70. not endorsing all
Legislation on that question, Of the present
General Assembly, whether democratic or
| not, whether constitutional or not. because
we had endorsed the platform by voting for
our Governor and democratic members III
the Legislature.
| Or course every democrat is supposed TO
| have been represented in the convention,
and none OF US made 2 minority report
either during or since the convention
Now, do not assume 20 reply, Ear Mr.
johnson, for il be desires 10 do 50. he can
much better represent himself: nor DO i
| hope to succeed nearly SO we'll as d corces-
pondent, as tho practiced and polished let.
ter writer" and distinguished lawyer w:!oss
printed notes" Of November 1st. | viii
try and utilize, having none other. III the at
tempt TO deteDi the right Of the inGiyid
| usl under the isw, against the u:urpa.
tlon of governmental power, in uu.
dertaklng to prove that if Leg.
ialature attempts TO make lawa in nc
| cord with what is pleased TO he called demu-
cratic policy, TO bind any Individual, these
laws must be in accord with the principles
Of democracy. Need I say the very attempl,
for it was only an attempt, to make luw
forcing payment in CASH. when the inGi
vidual had the right, under the law, and in
every respect) to pay in coupons, is against
the very essence of democracy ! This he
Legislature knew, or should have known,
and especially the lawyers thereof; and aow
when some democrat has the moral courage.
patriotism or love of democratic principle to
lmpel him to tender coupons or declare the
force bill unconstitutional, the legislature
rises and, through Mr.. Speaker, modestlv
asks every reasonable man. is il just ~
Would that not have been pertinent Ques.
;iou for every member to have asked him
sell before voting oD that bill, Is it lust? Ia
the light Of past history | simply ask if
"!orce billg' have been democratic nea
sure5? What did thc platform say and
mean I'VE oppose any increase Of taxa
ton" So say the creditors; SC say sill. Ii
"acccpts as final the recent settlement of
the public debt pronounced constitutional
by the courts Of last resort" Why ? Be-.
cause Of the decision of the courts--aaC dont
forget Inc decision Of the courts--"and will
oppose all agitation Of the question or any
disturbance of that settlement by appeal or
otherwise e"--oppose Well, it was opposed
by the ablest counsel obtaiDabie, By oyery
effort thought available, but after oil oppo-
siton the courts decided against it; then ii
appears that We accepted because OF the de-
cision Of the courts, and we did not accept,
but are told that it was only decision D.:
five 20 four. Gen. Lees vote for Governor
was, say 100000 to Capt. Wise's $4,000 this
Tas very decisive, and nothing was said of
the 10000 republican, votes for Lee instead
of Wise which gave The result, and yet that
was but five 10 ionr; but whoever heard oil
O lawyer kicking because The majority
against him in decision WAS not larger :
He realizes when at last resort that that
| Which was written was upright, even words
of truth"
| Who can believe that men with sense
enough to be elevated TO the Supreme Bench
and clothed in spotle3s ermine, never to be
bedraggled in the alleys of filthy partisan
ship, would voluntarily besmirch their robes
when the managers ofthe party of whatever
complexion, with which they may have
once affiliated had either produced or bad
accepted or acquiesced in the ssIue thing :
Men of ordinary sense would not, aud surely
able iursts could not, have done so. And
will ask if voting for the ticket cn the plat
form accepting Riddleberger's settlement
because of the decision of the court, instruct.
ed land endorsed o democratic Legislature
to out riddle Riddleberger? Gen. Lee ac
cepted the terms of Gen. Grant. Was be
instructed or would he have heeu endorsed
in assisting the popular demand Of our then
enemies OF the North for our private prop
erty, &c. SC? | admit that | thought that
even the democratic managers accepted tlt
thing for what it was worth, ard II 1t thi:et
10 XIII eltner coupons or CoonS tney "oue
not be responsible for its construction. Ibt
"prnted" notes tell me "to such further
legislation, and as part thereof T.. ,ae pro
lection and indemni6cations OF the reyeuu:
officers of the State for all offiGini acts tiou,
in obedience to its laws, the democ.a!i,
party pledges itself" Was this Legislation
to be proper or improper? CONSTITUTIONS
or unconstitutional? If it wss improper
unnecessary, or unconstitutional, is it jus
to say so But what was the legislation t,
do? To indemnify the officers "for ell OH
cial acts" We all know that the officer
oollanfinn tha rauennas of fha Stata have 1