The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-10-29
INCORPORATING THE TOWN


We are well pleased with the eycitemen.
which prevails on this subject. among the citizens
Of the town of Portsmouth, as we are certain
that it only wants the investigation which the
practical good sense of our citizens can brine 10
bear upon 1t, to insure its triumphant ADOPTION
There are some opposed TO il, we know, but from
what cause neither themselves nor any one else
can tell-except that they glory in a spirit of on.
position, or are constitutionally opposed to all
change of things from what they are, for fear of
some alteration being forced upon their own mode
of action, or the trouble Of accommodating them.
selves to new circumstances. MANY of this class
were found in our ~neighbor across the Elizahe,b
when Norfolk proposed to throw off the old ski,
of the borough, and adopt the new covering of
the GUY. who would be equally strenuous. now
the change has been made. in opposing a propo-
sltion, if it should be made, 10 90 back to the
old order of things. But there is another class
who are opposed to incorporation from interested
motives, whose interests are more deeply involved
in the county than they are in the town, although
they make their residence here. These men are
active in their opposition, and continually finding
reasons. many of them oery unreasonable. for
their opposition, which makes them appear verv
Su' e~ptCIdiIy d tHey 90 not wish The trup
cause Of their objections to become manifest
Now, as we are in favor of Incorporation, we will
give OUR REASONS for that favor.
/. Experience proves to us that it ia the hest
form of government. as almost every town in the
civilized world the size of ours, and situated 40
we are. has sought for exclusive and particular
powers, for self government. and independent ar.
ton, u~ntrammelled by surrounding influences
and having once obtained them, they have never
voluntarily relinquished them; having once eniov.
ed the advantage Of managing their o,on afairs
IN their o,Dn ,1ay, the citizens of those towns have
never desired TO put their interests into the hands
OF Representatives whose own interests were ad.
verse, not to say totally different. TO their own
For instance, in this case There are two Renre-
seDtativesc chosen for Norfolk County those Rep
Tosentatives look particularly, and naturally. TO
where the largest body of their constituents re-
side, and will be sure to carry out that system ofI
measures which is called for by the majority
and will most a~ssuredly sacrifice the minority.
not because they wish to act unjustIy, but sinpIv
because the majority is the strongest. Now the
interests Of the town. and the interests of the
county being materially distinct, one being me.
chanical and mercantile. while the other il Who'll.
Iy agricultural, it is but right they should both be
fairly and independently represented, without nm.
due influences being brought TO bear one upon the
other; and this can only be secured to the town
of Portsmouth, by her citizens seeking and nh.
tanning Incorporated Privileges. Our Renrs.
sentative is now dependent upon the countv for
his election, and no matter what we NAV desire
if the county does not side with us, we cannot oh
tain tive go, therefore, for Incorporation, that
we may be FREE and INDEPENDENT But.
2. Som object that Incorporation will entail
upon us heavy additional expenses for the SUPPORT
Of our municipal officers-Mayor, Town Ser
geant, CLERK, &c. With all due Difference IN
those who make this objection, we differ with
them entirely. We have no doubt that manv
gentlemen can be found in Portsmouth who would
hold the office Of Mayor, for the honor attached
thereto, as many towns throughout This co,o,,v
are faithfully so served. But if this should M, bo
sufficient, we would invest him with limited ;,d;
cial powers, for the trial Of cases at law. and 10,
the parties litigant be assessed with costs, which
both would willingly pay, having speedy Justice
rendered thereby-by this means, the fees of of
nee would 10 our opinion, far exceed what able
and competent men would ask for assuming the
mantle Of the Mayoralty. The expenses IF .
Town Sergeant and Town Clerk are a lreadv :,
cured, and as Incorporation would not increase
pur boundaries. or multiply our population. we n,e
sumo they would not become so a~ristocra,i tic undo,
2 charter as to demand more for the same servi
ces than they now Teceive-but If these expenses
ahould be increased, we come
3 To source Of revenue which re 5o m,