Waterbury Democrat

Collector Thoms Getting After Delinquent Tax Payers.

IS BOUND TO BRING THEM IN.

Richard Davey and Albert Leopold Were the Men Brought in To-day—Davey Vowed He Would Rest in Jail Before He Would Pay a Cent—When He Caught Sight of the Cell Door He Softened and Paid Up—Leopold Refuses to Pay, But Was Released Under Bonds.

Richard Davey of Round Hill, over whom has been hanging the shadow of the jail for the past week for failing to pay his taxes, was to-day arrested by Constable John Barrie. Mr Davey's taxes amounted to about $20 and he said he would see himself in jail first before he would pay. This is the first arrest for failing to pay taxes that has been made in this city within the memory of those who keep informed on public affairs. Close upon the heels of the arrest of Mr Davey, Albert Leopold, an agent for the American Wringer Co. living at 89 Park avenue, was also arrested for taxes amounting to less than $10. So that Mr Leopold has the honor of being the second man suffering arrest for what he considered unjust taxation. Mr Davey's arrest took place this morning early, it being the intention of the officer to give him plenty of time to reconsider. But Mr Davey said he would not reconsider. He would starve in jail first then he would live on bread and water in solitary confinement forever and ever before he would pay. But when Constable Barrie took him to the court house and marched him down the stairs where the unholy and unelect are kept, and he saw the huge keys of the prison cells glisten in the pale light, he did reconsider and he paid his bill.

Mr Davey claimed he was exempt from taxation on the ground that he had been absolved from his financial obligations by the bankrupts' court. This was a misunderstanding upon his part, for the powers of the bankrupts' court do not exempt an insolvent debtor from taxation. Everything goes but that.

Mr Leopold had no excuse for his refusal to pay only the natural one that he was charged too much and he, like Davey, would suffer untold tortures in durance vile rather than pay what he considered unjust. His friends went to his rescue and saved him the pangs of his rash judgment. H. B. Loucks furnished bail for him and the next heard of the case will be in the city court.