Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-01-25
How the Matter Stands.

We are glad to have the Information whicn
was conveyed to us In the following lctter
from Mr.. Royal. our readers will also be
clad 10 have II. We are sorry that he threat
ems to break the last leg OF bis mother state.
Mr.. royal exults over the prospect OF
having his cases heard and decided next isi',
and decided in bis favor. We are not al al
sure that he hss correctly interpreted the sc-
ton OF the Supreme Court 10 advancing DIS
cases. On the contrary. we take u that the
court desires to be rid OF Mr.. RoYALL's cases
once for all.
Let this be as it may, the Legislature
of Virginia will be in session within
few weeks after the decisions VIII
have been rendered. and can pass
new laws obstruct;ng MIR. ROYALS way INTO
tire State Treasury. The state has not yet
tried the plan OF making the taxes fall que
once month, nor that Of apportioning taxes
among the several cities and towns Of the
commonwealth instesd OF collecting them
herself. Our own opinion Is that it wou'd
be wise for Mr.. royal TO advise his clients
10 accept the terms which the State offered
10 the bondholders when the British agents
empowered 10 treat with Virgins were 10
this country.
To the Editor OF the Dispatch:
There has been so much misunderNsne-
Ing regarding the recent actions OF the courts
touching the public debt that | ask space 10
state Just whist those actions have been.
The decisions made by Judges Bond and
Hughes at Norfolk are OF no sort OF conse-
quepce as bearing upon the real contest on
hand. II could have gained the cases, u
would have enabled me TO put speedy emu
to the controversy. But losing them lett me
simply where was before-to prosecute the
matter along the beaten route. The cases were
attempts to reach the end by short cut, IN
which | was foiled. The suits were actions
against the Treasurer In trespass for bis re-
fusal Of coupons, and proceeded upon the
theory that by his wrongful act In refusing
them he had made himself responsible Tor
all consequent injuries that the taxpayer
suffered, aud that the subsequent suit against
the taxpayer and judgment with costs was
o resulting injury. The Court held that inns
Judgment could not be held an injury IN
any legal sense, and that the tax payers re-
dfess was to appeal from the Judgment OF
the State Court and reverse 1t II u was
wrong. IL is easy, therefore, TO see tbst
Judgment in my favor would have been fatal
10 the state, but a judgment against me ieit
me where ! was-to proceed WIN my apDeam
and undo what the state Courts had done.
But The action Of the Supreme Court OF
The United states last Monday IN advancing
nv cases and ordering argument IN them
October next 10 unprecedented and OF tne
last Importance, and practically ends this
lff,uafton 3nr one aide tue
other.
The whole OF the States fight under her
act known ar the "coupon crusher" was, 10
sue her taxpayers who had rendered cou.
mons in her own courts, and then TO forDld
them 10 make any defence unless they pro-
duced the bonds from which the coupons
come. As none Of them could do tos
Il was foregOne conclusion that she
would recover judgment against them win
heavy penalties and costs. IL coupons were
rendered In payment OF this judgment there
was TO be another judgment on this judgment
with additional penalties and costs' ana so
on until the taxpayer had his dept so 'n-
| creased that he would be forced 10 ABANDON
his contest. But to the success OF This very
clever bit OF strategy IL was necessary 10 Keep
| the taxpayer from reversing the sct'ob OF
her courts, which il was supposed would be
| done Nv LIS DtIUE uuloit " NNe h'o 49,
| heard In the Supreme Court Tor -FOUR
wears. / succeeded in getting wriis OF
error from the supreme Court In four cases.
involving all the essential questions 10 VII,
the duty TO produce the bond, the admissi.
bilty OF expert evidence, and payment OF
costs in coupons-on the 10th December.
! The wits Of error and citations are returna-
bic tue second Monday OF October, as the
rule Of the court requires, so that The eases
will really not be on the docket OF that court
until then. Nevertheless, IN view oil ibe
way IN which the states authorities were
depressing her citizens, 1 ventured TO move
the court 70 modify its rules aud have these
case. heard at once. The State 10y her At
torney.G eneral appeared and resisted the
motion. but the court ordered them TO be
heard within one week OF the first day that
they could possibly, under Its rules be
| heard.
The net result Is that the State is now
standing on her last leg, and II win these
cases in October will break that leg.
So far as the courts refusal TO issue It's eX'
ecutlon is concerned 1t is OF no sort OF con-
sequence. 1t WAS only question oil 500,
| which will not ruin me.