The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-03-01
Coupon Legislation.

I1uWUj W ' uuCy FHyU0IH,
SIR:-As the Democratic press through
out the State. with few exceptions, side
with the politicians against the people
whether right or wrong, and often refuse
party in power, we are forced occasionally
to appeal TO the !iberality of the Republi
can press to protest against unjust and
injudicious legislation. The people are
not in the habit of ventilating their griey.
ances through the public, press for the
simple reason that it is much easier to de-
post ballot than to write a newspaper
article in their defence, and you may rest
assured that they will make themselves
felt and heard at the ballot box the first
opportunity offered 1t must not be pre-
stunned because the people don't clamor
through the public press. that they are in
different spectators to what is going on
around them. The depressed condition
of affairs has aroused their vigilance, and
they will hold to a strict accountability,
those in whose hands they have committed
their rights and interests. With these
few remarks we VIII begin the subject
under consideration:
1t seems that the governor has vetoed
the legislative bill remitting the costs Of
prosecut ion against all those who have
heretofore rendered coupons in payment
of taxes; and the question is asked, why
the bill was not passed over the governor s
veto, as it might easily have been done
since we are Informed that large ma
jority of both houses were in favor Of said
bill.
In the present condition of affairs, the
much less to lose what they haye already
paid for coupons, and in addition to that,
pay the cost of prosecution. The enforce
ment of this law through the governor 5
veto, will undoubtedly have the effect to
ALLEVIATE large and influential class Of
voters from the support of the party in
power. Party ties at this particular june
ture. are anything but strong. and it be-
hooves those in power to hold their politi
cal forces we'll in hand and in view Of com
ter them by exasperating and ill-timed
legislation.
Those who are affected by the governor S
late veto, have now determined to club
together, purchase bonds and present them
in person to the county treasurers, and
have the coupons cut off said bonds in pay
ment of taxes-sach act will be in strict
accordance with the law governing tie
tender of coupons for taxes; SO there Will
be notning gained by this veto, but much lost
to the State Had the governor not inter
posed his veto, the people would have been
content to have paid their taxes in. money.
He has made a great mistake.
Moreover, the people have become dis
satisfied with the present legislature for
several reasons, and among others this: the
last extra session of the legislature cost the
people 500, 000-a session called for no
useful purpose whatever, except, perhaps,
to build up the hotels and boarding houses
of Richmond at the expense of the tax
payers. The people VIII no longer toler-
ate this annual pilgrimage to the State
capital except in case of dire necessity Or
extra Urinary emergency.
The law anthorises or requires biennial
sessions of the legislature, and the people
will hold it's representatives to its strict
observance. The people begin to think
the per diem is the most weighty factor in
bringing about these extra SEES ions, i'll
stead of tie requirements Of necessary
and important legislation. The people
would, tomorrow, vote unanimously for
triennial sessions, if the opportunity were
offered them; besides they would vote for
specific compensation for the members
so as to have the public business expedited
! and save the public funds from wasteful
expenditure and avoid those useless and
| idle discussions that have characterized
the Virginia legislature of late years, and
in which they are now INDUCING. to the
detriment Of the taxpayers who furnish
unwillingly, the money to keep the legis-
latiye wind-mills in motion At all events
we want no mere annual frolics at the
State capital. or extra sessions; otherwise
/ it will be the political death of the party
in power Finally the people enter their
solemn protest against any appropriation
of public funds not absolutely and indis-
pensably necessary to carry on the State
government economically.
DEMOCRATS.