Alexandria gazette, commercial and political. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1812-1817, 1816-02-14

WEDNESDAY,, FEBRuAnY Ii

Ma. SNowDES,
If the following observations are
worthy place in yoar paper, you will
loblige the author. by giving them publi-
city. The time is not far distant, when
the people of Alexandra viii be called
upon for their suffrage for Common
Council Men, for The ensuing twelve
months. A few remarks of citizen
cannot be improper, provided they are
founded on fact.
The first enquiry that presents itself
! Has the existing Council acquitted them
selves with satisfaction to the citizens.
and the hishsrespeneibility Of their situa-
ton? If so, are-election will naturally
follow, provided they will serve ; bat if,
ion the contrary, they have been deaf to
their interests, others should be elected
Ito fill their places. There are many in
Inconsistencies in the laws of the corpora
Itioa, which the council have in their
power to alter, or so to modify, as to suit
1.-THE times in which we live suffice it to
APPOINT out some of the most glaring. The
|lnsde of taxing is the most grievous, as it
lis the most unjust. irasmuch as it COM
'Ipels one citizen to pay the debts of ano-
either, due from him to the corporation,
'|withoat tine consent of the parties
strange as this may appear, it canno; be
'Idenied that employers are compelled to
-|pay the taxes of the employed, and the
,Iplea is. that single men are transient and
THE employers stationary, and that there
lis no existing law to imprison the dclin.
,Iquent if he has no property; so, rather
: than the community shall lose. the indiyi-
,ldual must, by the same construction of
1.-The law. But it is said. you have it in
-iyour power to stop his wages as eonn 40
:Ihe has earned sufficient: | should wish
! Then to frame bill against a man con-
IIscientiously before he is indebted to
Them for my part am ignorant OF the
-imethod !! Suppose, by way OF il!ustTa-
.Itiun, A indorses note for B, at sixty
f,aays; soon after B is insolvent; can A
ullay an action of debt against B for thai
elideutical note before it becomes due, and
.EB has actually refused or is not compe-
nl.ent to pay it This believe will D.
siadlnitted he cannot. Then, I~would ask
sil,ow can the employer collect it, admit
cling he had given security before the mo-
: hey was actaally paid : much less wher
K neither of the parties has given their con
: sent. | do contend there must be cause
&c action, and in this case there is none
= Il there are any young men 50 averse Il
cJthc feelings of humanity, that they vii
{ not pay their quota towards the main
,Itenance Of the poor, and ether necessar,
: expenses of the town, the cerparatio.
dISets rid Of them very cheap; but BE
e ;ieye of this dissertation there are ,e..,
flew, and the evil would not be felt a
hlitis those characters VIE occupy so mucl
). LOT the attention of the grand and petit
;uries, with their numerous witnesses, a
: ,atloltar and a quarter day, tire soone
uch run away the better for the city
The worthy citizen wishes to be taxed i,
ms owl name "a other freemen are. |
q ,woaid be yerbosity in HE to show NOR,
Tally the absurdity Of such a law, whe,
1.-THE most common capacity knows that
lrcrson's property is sacred from uH,aw
lful seizures, and that all citizens right
fare unaiepab,c--pau pers. vagabands ant
lfugitves from Justice excepted.
But the evil does nat rest here. 1t j
q fact that cannot be denied, that the col
Hector Of the seeopd ward could have col
Q I,ected three tytleables. but refused ant
distressed the property of their employ
l&rs, and sold the same in the public mar
lket, and alter he had his pretended claiu
s Isatisfied with cost, did continue to SCI
1.-THE property, without even the shadow Q
IA claim against the said employers, aut
tinsulted them by making a tender ci III
proceeds Of the surplus saiee. Ti'c con
duct Of this man has been approved b,
lihc existing council; money has beer
unprecedented fer his defence. i'll a SUI
iaos pending. Irtlis isliberty ard equa
rights. pray inform me what is Injustice
/; land oppression. 4 great deal is said 0
Taxation by the general government, ant
) tie unequal bearing it has upon the reo
|lle, but silent as the grave about tina
I, (which isnearer home, and thai WHICH IA
, I,erests every one, inasmuch that a jpr,,
! lean hardly &c fouad which is not inter
!, tested directly or indirectly.
!. Eheee are letters geing the rounds 0
1.-The different newspapers, OF American
lbeins taxethin France for their faculties
Iana supposed property they possess II