Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1839-01-16
ully, but earnestly to protest and remon-

strate.
LIST. Because many of your petitioners
believe that such a road could never be of
sufficient benefit to the people ofthe coun-
ty Justify the expense ofmaking it and
to take this money Of the people to con-
strnct this road, will be in a great degree
to throw il away upon needless improve.
ment, or one which if beneficial to any
extent, can only be so to few individu-
nls. while the whole community would
be thus required to pay for it.
I'd. Because it would be diversion of
the money of the people from more USE
full and eligible public improvements and
will thus tend TO postpone, and perhaps
c.ose all hope, of having more necessary
Improvements made.
They believe that a road across the
country, from the western part of the
county to Shepherdstown, or Halltown, or
even from Martinsburg to one of those
points, is ofincalculably more Importance
to the prosperity OF the county, than one
along which no material trade or travel
ever has passed, or ever can. The pecu-
liar situation OF our county has always
thrown us to the north of the great line of
travel and trade that passes dozen the Val.
ley to Harper's Ferry and south of the
great western line through Maryland
and this indicates the true interes. of our
citizens to be. to make facilities Of commu-
n'caHom through their county to depots of
their trade, Shepherdstown or Harper's
Ferry. And, moreover, the money ex.
pended by the county on the costly and
excellent stone bridge on the Opequon,
will be counted in, as part of the ndividu-
al contributions to such road, and to that
extent, lessen the cost of making it.
3D.. But our principal and most serious
objections to such law as is asked for
at your hands, are Of higher import
than those which relate to the propriety
OF such an Improvement, or the mere mat
ter of dollars and cents which it may cost.
1t Is one Of principle, which applies to the
manner in which it is sought to raise the
money. A principle OF the same charac-
ter with such as have raised whole peo-
pie to resist similar encroachments.
We protest, against being taxed by
body not elected by us, but self.creative.
We protest against being taxed by a
body not responsible 10 us.
You, as body representing the people,
would not pass law taxing US to make
up the subscription against our will
Will you authorize few men thus 10 tax
US who do not represent us?
We protest, and demonstrate, against
more power in body Of men, who, how
ever respectable as individuals, have, as
county court, already, more power than
any other body known to our laws--who
have the patronage ofall the offices in the
county; unbounded jurisdiction in suits
criminal and civil; the management Of all
the roads, mills, bridges, and the general
police Of the county, with power to raise
money and to disburse il at their pleasure,
by levies on the citizens: pouers, not al.
rays judiciously exercised.
We demonstrate, against the levy off
money by the County Court; because
it will operate hardly and oppressive
ly upon those of our fellow-citizens
who must pay their poll tax, and We. re-
celve no benefit from the road, which,
II there be any, must accrue to land hold.
ers and persons other than themselves.
We protest, against the plan, as unusual,
as it departs from the mode always here
tofore adopted of leaving the usefulness
and necessity of such roads TO be pro-
we'd by private subscriptions each man
being thus left as the best Judge of his
oacn interest in the matter while he opens
and shuts his purse as he thinks proper.
If such plan as the one proposed, were
generally adopted, We ask, what limit is
to be put to the systeml If four thousand
dollars must be levied this year for turn
pike, at the pleasure of the Justices, or
four OF them; lavorte Railroad or
Canal may next year demand forty thou
sand. Your petitioners in fact cannot
see why if this Improvement be so impor-
tant as the Court seem to consider it, any
difficulty can be found, in raising s 200
by the private subscriptions of those who
are most interested; when the State agrees
10 pay SIS 5000; thus, exceeding by one
fifth, their usual ratio Of contributions. -
And if this simple, obvious, and far mode,
OF raising the money cannot he carried
they ask, how the conclusion can be re-
sisted, that it is regarded by the people
as work of doubtful expectancy, which
never will repay Its cost; and if so, ought
your petitioners, or any one of them to
be taxed in this manner for its conslruc-
ton
Your petitioners understand from the
proceedings of a meeting recently held at
Mill Creek, that it is contemplated to an
mex to the law, a condition, that the quail.
J fed uoters shall sanction the subscription
before the County Court shall subscribe
The meney.-This, to our mind, cannot