Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-03-02
COUPON SUITS
ELABORATE DISCUSSION AND INIERxsr-
ING QUESTIONS RAISED.
A Warn Municipal Contest-changss OF
Property Personal and Misceila-
neous Roies and Briefs.

PETERSBURG, March /, 1887.

fcorrcspondence OF the Richmond Dispatch.l
PETERSBURG, March /, 1887.
The slits brought by the Common
wealth under the coupon-crisher act
against Mr.. p. II. Booth, one OF our
wealthiest and most respected citizens.
who maid his taxes in coupons, have oc-
cupied the attention of the Circuit Court
for several days. The counsel in the
cases were Messrs. George ). Bernard
and w. u. McRae for the Commonwealth
and Messrs. w. l.. Royal and Alexander
Hamilton for the defendant. The argu'
ment in these cases was not only elabo-
rate but instructive. 1t covered oil the
legislation on tire subject, and was d.
rectcd specially to the validity and con-
stitutonaliiy Of the existing laws, assum-
ING very wide range. His HonorJudge
Hancock has given the cases a very pa
tent and careful hearing, giving the
counsel on either side full latitude IN
their arguments. He has taken the ques--
tions raised under consideration, and
will render his decision next Thursday,
until which day the jury has been adj
iourned. As there are many similar
cases on the docket awaiting trlal, the
decision of Judge Hancock on the ques-
tions raised by counsel and the verdict OF
the Jury in the suits against Mr. Booth
will be awaited with great deal OF ln-
terest.
The approaching municipal election is
already exciting interest in the commu-
nity. There Will be hot fight for the
control of the city, and the prospect is
that the campaign will be one Of the
most exciting in the history OF the city.
There are already apparent evidences OF
a warm contest within the ranks of the
Republican party for the nominations
for the various offices, for each the most
important of which candidates are
named. Clubs are being organized, and
a spirited warfare is anticipated. The
Democrats are quiet as yet, but will
show their hand IN due time.
There have been several important
changes in the ownership Of property IN
our city within the past few days, the
exact result Of which is not yet publicly
known.
The report Of the health officer shows
that during February 60 deaths occurred
in this city-19 among the white and Al
among the colored population. There
were il deaths among children under
five years of age. Among the causes Of
death are pneumonia, Is; consumption,
6; paralysis, 2.
The internal-revenue collections In
Petersburg during the month OF Feb
ruary amounted to $50. 844, and the ex-
ports of manufactured tobacco to 437, 1873
pounds.
Mr.. Peter F. Cogbill. who was some
time ago appointed collector of customs
for the Petersburg district, yesterday re-
ceiyed his commission as such from the
President.
J. +. Gardner, who w's recently sem
fenced to sixty days imprisonment in
jail on four charges of larceny III obtain
ing money under false pretences, has de-
cided not TO take an appeal, but to sub
NIT to the sentence of the Court. De IS
an intelligent young man OF proposes
ing appearance. and is said to DO well
connected in Maryland.
Mr.. Samuel + Phillips, formerly of
Mecklenburg county and most worthy
young man, died day or two ago after
brief illness. He was about thirty
years of age, member of the West-End
Baptist church, and was held in high
esteem as Christian gentleman.
ROBIN ADAIR.