The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1817-04-25

of the subjects Council have wisely in
their course taken the middle ground
One subject though referred, as yet re.
mains In embrio-op this much warmth
and diversity OF opinion still exists on
the public mind, alike solicitous to ap.
prove or condemn as the merits of the
case may require. The subject allud-
ed TO, sir, is the market house. This
sir, was early referred to committee
the public eye is steadily fixed on this
committee expecting report. The
delay attendent on the part of the COM
mit'ee begins TO agitate the public, and
which nothing but fair expose of the
whole transaction can allSy. Regret
ing sensibly the political warmth and
discontent that RACES amongst us,
would with avidity embrace every mea-
sure that could assuage it, & nothing APP
Pears to me to be more effectual, than
placing betorethe public view this trans
action, and every other where their in,
terest and rights are involved. The
people when once informed of the truth
will be satisfied, but when doubt is
strengthened by delay, it too generally
begets mistrust, and mistrust becomes
confirmation. However free my own
mind may be, and is from the influence
OF these powerful agents, hostile to cool
and calm investigation, Ills widely diff
ferent with the public murmurs which
Increase daily, and though the disaffec
tion may be smothered yet it is only for
a time, 1t will again break forth with re-
doubled fury and rage. To prevent this,
l again repeat, is the motive that has in
duced me to call your particular atten-
tlonso this subject, being more inIme-
diately In your province in the dis
charge of your duty, as president OF
council! The public attention from the
late warmth, seems steadily fixed on
The proceedings of council. Amongst
the many subjects that have of late agi
tated the different parties, one lately
before your body, has excited much at.
tention and interest, viz "A house Of
lndustry--alike other subjects, it has
Its friends and enemies. The principal
objection is the expense attending it,
and It's pressure on the citizens II in
stltuted by taxation. have OCCASION
ally been an observer, and heaIer. Of the
different opinions, to enable me to draw
correct conclusions. AT one of the dis.
cussions on this subject, a gentleman
who has been long noted for his orpo,
sItion 10 the present ruling party, and
whose warmth OF political opinions and
zeal, for the domination of his political
friends, may have carried him too far
IN the expression of his opinions and
and ihaction for his own interest yer,
believe, In bottom sound, and actuat-
ed solely for the interest and welfare OF
the town, after having supported the
council and ruliRg party literally, in
many points where they were censureG
and condemning them in others, were
he disapproved of their conduct; on
being asked, whether or not, it was not
the pride OF opinion and party animosity
that in great measure actuated him il
his oppCsition--answered as follows:
81 depricate the influence of such mo-
tiveS and feelings, as much as any man
can; even to an enemy / am at all times
ready and willing e do justice though
vas l ac,uated by them The condact OF
hat body would justify me on the
ground oil retaliation But / assure
you, whatever they may think, AN
Dove such narrow prejudiccs l have
been opposed to the men at The head of
our municipal concerns on many points
from principal alone, as | am in this
case; my mode in such a case would be
by Lottery. The blind policy of loans
and taxation when local improvements
are contemplated, seems 10 be with
them constitutional. One would sup
pose that precedent and experience,
would have considerable influence on
men of information, and whose official
relations with other cities, gives them
more particular opportunities Of obser-
Vation. When improvements are con
templated in other cities, loans and tax
alton are never mentioned. Many OBJ
ject to my plan on the ground of moral
ity, yet we see other cities equally mo-
raj, religious and virtuous following it,
If temples of divine worship, are the
basis on which the opinion Of morality
is to be founded, they take the pFesid.
eDce off. am inclined to believe ON
this poiGh, they are somewhat Of opinio
with myselE-ihat tlIs end ssnctiies the
means. But be the opinion what it may
the effect is obvious; the rapid i'm
provement Of their cities, the liberal en-
enlargement to the arts and sciences