Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-10
VIRGINIA COUPON CASES.
yrpGE srAPLESS ARGUMENT.
Ap.Nnee Of virRinss--rae Several Cases
and What rhcS Twelve.

psgenee Of virRinsa-The Several Cases
and What fhcY Twelve,
prom our Regular Correspondence
WASHINGTON, ID. c., January o.
The argument in the coupon cases from
Virginia before the United States Su-
preme Court was resumed yesterday by
Judge Staples, for the State, in very
able speech Of considerable length. lie
discussed deliberately the issues in the
various records before the court. In
the progress OF his speech he comment
cd upon q circular Of the foreign bond
holders TO the taxpayers Of Virginia,
in which the proposition was made to
speculate by suits upon the State Of
Virginia. This produced a ripple OF
excitement.
Judge Staples defended the State
against the aspersions that were cast
upon her fidelity in the observance OF
her obligations, and was proceeding 70
comment with some severity upon the
conduct Of the opposing counsel in lug
ging into these cases the declarations
and platforms of the Democratic party,
when be was interrupted by the Chife
Justice, who said the court had nothing
to do with politics.
Judge Staples said he heartily con-
CURED in that sentiment, but he must
say when Virginia was charged with re-
pudiation the very measures complained
of had been approved by the solemn
Judgment Of this court, and when he
rose 10 defend her against the assaults
upon her financial honor he was stopped
by the Court. This part Of his speech
was put in much more apt phrase than
| can reproduce in the hurry of this
writing, and its force aud appropriate
ness was highly gratifying to the Yir-
ginians present.
The whole purpose Of these suits,
Judge Staples said, was 20 transfer to
State courts supreme jurisdiction and
control Of the debt question Of Virginia.
But it is impossible in this report to
give a synopsis of the speech, which
covered the whole ground, and was a
thorough and careful presentation Of
all the issues involved.
Colonel GoOde, Solicitor General,
says Judge Staples's speech was liable
and exhaustive, and the conclusion of
it was eloquent.
There are six Of these cases, involv-
ing different questions--some of which
are very important to the State Of Vir-
ginia.
The case Of Barry against Edmunds
is an action Of trespass brought in the
Circuit Court Of the United States in
Virginia against a collector for levying
upon and selling the plaintiff horse
after tender Of coupons in payment
of taxes. The object Of this suit is
,nanifestly, as contended by counsel. to
transfer to the United States Courts
jurisdiction in all this class of cases,
although the amount in controversy
does not exceed $500.
The next case is that Of W. L. Royal
against the State Of Virginia. The
point raised is whether an attorney at
law. after tender Of coupons in payment
Of his revenue license and the refusal
of the collector to accept them, can
practice law in the courts Of Virginia
without obtaining license as required
bv the Virginia statutes. The effect OF
decision may be very far-reaching in
its consequences. AS the law now
stands, person desiring to practice any
profession or to pursue any occupation
ST paw the license in United States
currency and not in coupons. If the
coupons be refused the person is COM
pelled to resort to his mandamus to OBJ
tain a license, as was decided in Moore
against Greenhow in May last, which
necessarily involves considerable delay.
If. as contended by counsel for the
bondholders, a person has the right
upon mere tender Of coupons to prac"
tice any profession or pursue any call
ing without license, it is obvious that
all the statutes requiring licenses will
be nullifed. The counsel for the State
maintained that the Supreme Court had
not as yet decided that the statute re-
Quiring license taxes to be paid in money
is unconstitutional. They insisted that
it is still an open question, aud 50 ar
gued it before the court.
The case of Chafiin against Taylor
raises the question whether the State of
Virginia may require proof of the
commences Of coupons in ell cases.
This question was argued by counsel
but the pending case did not appear to
fairly present the question. 1t looks
as though some additional legislation on
this subject were required, prescribing
some mode for establishing the genuine
ness of coupons, in addition to that re-
quired by the act of January ii, 1882.
Two other cases before the Supreme
Court raise the question Of the consti-
nationality Of the tax upon attorneys
at law who practice in coupon cases
and Of the tax upon brokers engaged in
the sale Of coupons.
Hr. IIoar MfsundersfOod.
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