Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1843-04-27
For the Spectator.

! Mr.. EDIroR--Pernit me to suggest through the me
dunn OF your paper the propriety of raising question:
pecunlary embarrassment of the State, and al the same
time exoneratc the people from and oppressive
taxation.
That we have reached alarming crisis is too plainly
indicated by the waning condition Of the country Dis
tress is visible everywhere, and gloom perceptible
the countcnancc OF every man. The only remedy for
the country is rigid economy, only in the manage
ment of our individual affairs, but also in the expend
lures OF our State government.
Why was the odious tax bill passed when it was
known to be replctc with the serious objections p
Was to Virginia from the humilating and degra
ding alternative OF repudiaonan extremity in the pc
cuniary condition of the State do not credit But ad
uniting IT to be true can the people bear up under the
burdens OF additional taxation, when their individual liza
biIties lie DER them like incubus Think not would
prefer the fair fame of Virginia dshonored increased
furnished escuheon of the State as the brightest Jewel
ne could possess and feel paramount duty at any
from any blems IL the State has reached the verse of
bankruptcy well individuals hence the necessity of
resortng to vstem of retrcnchment well ncreas
ing the amount o the revenue. Why permit the Lc-
gslature to consume annually hundred thousand dol
lars when forty thousand would suffice?
WY has the sessions of late been protracted to q
months! Was the time consumed in the enactment of
just and beneficial laws, the adoption of measures
tending to exert salutary influence upon the general
prosperity! Far, very FAR from it. Individual aggran-
die ment seemed to be the polar star of many in that
oIGay;m rs obvious to every one who has paid the
ghest attention to that body, that the Legislature of
virginia is not what it was. Instead Of the les
sons OF true political economy that listened to
VIC hoW near hOtflng out the wild specula-
ons OF the theort and the defamation of the design
ing dcmagogue The local interest of the State has
oeen merged in Questions wholly POLITICAL and the pro-
noon OF party interest and party ascendancy the pra
~ consideration of the major part of that body. This
is true and to look for change in that de-
generate body is to indulge hope as cmerca as it
would prove taacous The corrective is with the peo-
PEE ana let them apply the remedy. There is but one
way 10 abridge these long sessions that is request
pledge OF each candidate if elected to urge an adjourn
ment alter session Of thirty days.
lhat such course would be productive of good is OBJ
yious to every rejecting individual Apart from the
amount OF money saved to the State it would
lated, and hnconnected with the interest the State
he amount thus saved 10 the State, would supersedc
the necessity OF burdcnsomc taxation Such course is
demanded by the suffering condition of the people and
more particularly should it be rcsorted to- when coud
be done without any dcrimcnt to the general Interest,"
preserve the faith and honor of the State should be
the ardent wish Of all but in doing let us resort 10
retrenchmcnt as well as taxation,
II plain Old Farmer.