Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-01-27
AYERS. SCOTT. AND M'CABE.
The Resolutions or tho Generat A.
sembfy and Letter of fne Governor

I
scmbiy and Letter of the Governor
Before the Christmas recess the two
houses OF the General Assembly passed
resolutions expressing their appreciation
of the services OF. Messrs. Ayers, Scott,
and McCabe in resisting the tyrannous
orders of Judge Bond in the coupon
lscrusher cases. These resolutions have
been beautifully printed on parchment,
together with the letter OF Governor
Lee, and the two papers are as follows:
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA.,
GOVERNORS OFFICE,
RICHMOND, VA, Dec. 30, 1887.
RUFUS A. Ayers, Attor'cy-Gencrat Of
the State of VirginiG.
Dear Sir,-I have the honor TO trans
NIT 10 you the enclosed resolutions of
the Legislature. The decision OF the
Supreme Court of the United States, to
which they refer, oyerturnsthe edict OF
n subordinate Federal Judge which
would have destroyed the autonomy of
the State. whose indestructibillty is
guaranteed by the Constitution OF the
United Stltcs. The trainers Of that in
strument aud OF the amendments thereto,
as representatives OF the States, in
tended that the powers not delegated
to the United States by the Constitution
should be reserved to the States and
never designed to create a government
with power to demollsh the creator.
This decision is far-reaching and affects
all the States OF the American Union
alike and gives confidence that the form
of government constructed by the fore
fathers will be transmitted to those who
come after rs without change.
take great pleasure in uniting with
the Legislature in its commendstion of
the spirit that enabled you, while OBEY
ing the laws of your State, TO look
through the bars of a Jail in order that
YOU might peaceably see the rights of
Virginia, under the Constitution, pre-
served.
have the honor to he, with great re-
spect, your o6edicnt servant,
FrrzHUGH LEE,
Governor of Virginia.
4 similar letter was addressed TO Mr..
Scott and to Mr. McCabe each.
Following are The resolutions:
ReSOired (the House OF Delegates con-
curring), That the thanks OF this Gen
eral Assembly arc extended to the Hon.
! Rufus A. Ayers, Attomey-General OF the
/ State: the venerable John Scott. attor-
nev for the Commonwealth OF Fauquler
county. and j. y. McCahe, Common
wealth's attorney for the county of Lon
doUn, for the firm stand assumed by
them for having the validity tested of
the late order Of the United States Court
for the Eastern district Of Virginia
made by the Hon. Hugh l.. Bond. judge
Of the circuit, timing and imprisoninS
them for alleged contempt OF court while
engaged in the legitimate exercise OF
/ their official duties imposed by law for
the enforcement and collection OF the
taxes due the Commonwealth.
RcSOiUcd That they are cOhgratu-
lated for the course adopted byihem,
which, although having subjected them
to temporary incarceration in jail. so far
from being a subject OF modification
and disgrace was n position Of honor
and distinction and they nre further TO
be CONGRATULATED and held up to appro-
( valand endorsement in having brought
about decision OF the supreme Court
Of the United States which finally settles
the question of the power and authority
of the Federal judiciary over the States
Of this Union in accordance with the
Constitution of the United States and
the laws of the land.
RcSo'ccd, That the Governor of this
Commonwealth be requested to com
municate the passage OF the above reso-
utions to the State officials above
named, and cause copy to be trans
mittcd to them with such remarks as he
may deem pertinent.
The foregoing is q copy OF joint
resolution agreed to by the General As
sembly Of Virginia ON December 10,
1887. j. ID. PsNDL3roS.
Clerk of Senate
j. BELL BIGGER.
Clerk Of House OF Delegates.