Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-01-11
The sC0upOn Crusher. :"

The Rockbridge News of the 9th instant
furnished the inside history of the law
known as the coupon crusher," which we
reproduce in full as follows
sit is not generally known 10 the paope
o. Virginia that their deiiversnce from the
thraldom of the bondholders, by the cou-
ception and enactment of the Coupon
Crnsher," is largely due to two distiognish-
ed citizens of Rockbridge, Hon. J. Randolph
Tucker and Judge William Mclaughlin.
After Mr.. Tucker, in July, 1886, appear
ed before Judge Bond, as counsel for the
State in the case of Dulany VS.. Koontz,
Treasurer of Shenandoah county, it occur
red to him, that Virginia could be relieved
of her difficulties, by bringing suits in the
State courts for the amount of their taxes,
against those who had rendered coupons
Upon his return to Lexington in August,
be revealed his scheme to Judge McLaugh-
lin, who at once appreciated its value. The
general proposition of the former, was af-
forwards perfected and put into shape by
the latter. Judge Mclaughlin consulted
various prominent Virginians as to the wis.,
dow of the plan, but with few exceptions,
they discouraged it from the start. So
much impressed was be, however, with the
embarrassed condition of the State, and at
the same time with the power of the pro-
posed measure to relieve her, that on three
occasions, in September, December and
January, he visited Gov Lee, in Richmond,
and urged that something should be done,
and laid before him the plan originated by
Mr.. Tucker. For long time, however, the
Governor, who in common with nearly all
who examined the measure, did not realize
its force, and took no steps to secure it's en-
actments. But the alarming condition of
affairs in January, 1887, aroused him and
other State officials to take some action and
they gave the plan much closer considera-
ton.
Judge Mclaughlin had. at the request of
Gov. Lee sent him written synopsis Of the
| plan, after he came home in December.-
The Governor took into his counsel several
Virginians, among them Judges Burks and
Staples, and in February he went to Wash
| ingtOn and had a conference with the Vir
gnia Congressman, and other Virginians at
the Capital. At the conference Mr. Tucker
explained the measure, and all present
agreed that it was worthy at any rate to re-
ceive trial. The Governor returned to
Richmond, and summoning Judges Burks
and Staples, who were in the city, request
ed them to draw the bill. Judge 6uras in
| formed him that he was unwilling to draw
it without the presence of Judge N Laugh
lin. The latter was summoned, aud upon
his arrival conference was held between
these three gentlemen, and the bill was
drawn substantially as it now stands upon
the statute book. This was Feb 21st, 1887.
Judge Burks drew the bill, but all its salient
features are those found in the paper sent
Gov. Lee by Judge Mclaughlin.
The after record of the Coupon C-nsh-
er" is matter of history. 1t became a law
on May 18th, and owing to the timely as
sistaDce of Judge Bond and Mr.. Royal
came up for trial on its merits before the Uni
ted States Supreme Court in November
Mr.. Tucker then presented to the Court
the views which had slways influenced him
to believe that the law was constitutional,
and on December 9th, the Court, one Judge
dissenting, endorsed his opinion. Mr..
Tucker conceived the measure, and Judge
Mclaughlin, by persistently pressing it, Sc
cured its enactment"