The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-11-03

that offers the least prospect of a successful com
petition? ] think not, as the sequel Of the City
Ferry has fully proven. Cd
But are these the only objections against the
prosecution of this plan? Certainly not. The
proceeds Of the Ferry at this time are ample for
its support. and produces a surplus, bu, divide It's
annual income between two companies, and even
at the present eXorbitant fare, you would find a
deficit in the current expenses sufficient To make
ii very bad stock. We further have the assurance
from the County, that as suon as competition is
offered them, representations will be made to the
Legislature that will cause a certain reduction of
fare, and necessarily a destruction of the Ports.
mouth Ferry. On the other hand, we have the
best reasons for believing that by letting the gov
ernmPnt of the Town remain as il now is, under
the guidance Of a jealous and peIsevering board
of Trustees. that the Magistrates may. at any
moment, be induced TO share with MS the proceeds
arising from the Ferry, amounting annually TO
some three or four thousand dollars. which sum
might be advantageously (if thought best) APP
piled to the liquidation of the great debt now
hanging over the Town, and this fund being GER
tain, would of itself greatly assist in establishing
the declining credit IF the community, and also
create a spirit of enterprise which would soon be
advaniageonsly felt among us. CO
Farther, sir. it is contended. that bv Incorpora-
ration. we will have n more direct representation
in the Legislature. an opinion TO which cannot
~ ~ 80 'tub W titUf years inc
town of Portsmouth. has been ably represented
IN The House of Delegates, and a portion Of the
time IN both branches by gentlemen Of talent
and energy, who have always had the CO opera
tion of the County Delegates, in any measure to
which the interests of the town required it. and
during all the difficulties between this town and
Norfolk, the County Delegate stood in the front
rank. TO do battle for Portsmouth, and her inter
esis, and by this principal Of incorporation, You
not only decrease lis representation one half, but
you raise mp a strong opponent 10 your interest, on
the very borders of our town. 60
As 10 municipal privileges and immunities,
what are they ? there is no good reason for sup.
posing that they will, of themselves, add one dol.
lar To the town, either by commerce or otherwise,
what then is 10 be gained2 Why necessarily,
taxation. more taxes 10 meet The wants Of this
splendid self government, for becoming an Incor-
poratlon in name alone is puerile in the extreme,
we must have Mayor, Aldermen, Clerk, Ser
geant. night Watch, &c, the latter of whom is
indispensable all of which officers, must have
a compensation from somewhere, and from whom
will it be derived? from The dear people, of
course, nearly bent double with the erroneous load
they now have to bear. ca
These, Mr.. Editor, are some of the reasons
that have induced me to offer my feeble opposi-
ton to this measure, believing it to be injurious
to Inc general interests Of the community, and
calculated. if persisted in. to saddle the town, IN
Its depressed condition with more than it can
reasonably bear. r. S.
NOTES BY THE EDITOR.
90 1t is not the fact, that incorporation is an
act of injustice TO the county. Notwithstand-
ing the Magistrates have erected a Court House
and Jail within the limits of The Town, it was
done with the money of the whole county, of
which Portsmouth is a part, and the land belong
Inn IN tho Enrn Sc r.ol e. ,Io.a n
property can be used as well after incorporation
for County purposes as it can now. We are not
willing to admit that a spirit Of "hoSiility'' will
induce our county neighbors to ruin themselves,
by sacrificing the advantages which they enjoy by
the location of the public buildings. If they are
determined to do so, they will find that the peo-
pie of Portsmouth have claims that will be re-
spected by the Legislature. AS to the {" promi-
nent source of reyenue'' of which we will be de-
prived by a removal of the business of the coun-
Try from here, we would suggest that our CORE
s~pondent had as well strike a balance, and he
will find that the business is as profitable to the
county, as TO the Town, and will not be given up
in a spirit of revenge, while il is their interest TO
continue it. The startling picture of the power
of the County and the weakness of the Town
would BIO very effective if it were borne out by
the facts but it is Portsmouth that has given
strength TO the county-and enriched the Ferry.
The enormous amount set down as necessary for
the establishment Off Ferry will dwindle as soon
ss ii is approached-we own our central wharf"
and We could easily rent another-but then il
does not follow that we would establish a Ferry.
as the County Magistrates appear to be willing to
H., ,.H,t -, x;-l, 49,. a 80.
refuse 10 do so the Town would have the right,
which they could use, to compel fair dealing.
CD The reasons contained in this paragraph
are unworthy of the County, and would be dis
graceful to the Town, if permitted to have any
weight. What! shall freemen be driven from
the right ground by puerile threats2 MOI Who
are the gentlemen that have promised to employ
themselves in the attempt TO destroy the income
of the Ferry if the Town Jares to seek her own
Advancement Those persons ought to be known
For the moment that is done, a Conntu Ievy
will take place, that will operate a little more Sc
verely on the People than did the School bill
Although we admit that our Board of Trustees
are very perSeUering and very Jealous, vet with
all their perseverance and zeal, they are impotent
to do good, and have not even the power to carry
o1t their own resolves, without the aid and con-
sent of the County Magistrates, let US be incor-
pOrated, and the Trustees will have the map,,ie-
rial power to give effect to their legislative acts
The Magistrates a0iH be induced'' to make
the arrangement for a fair division of the proceed,
of the Ferry, much more readily after the Town
is Incorporated, and has the light 10 run a Ferry.
than they can be now. 1t is a late thought with
those gentlemen.
(3) We regret that our correspondent cannot
see that a Representative chosen exclusively by
ourselves is not more direct than if chosen by
others-there are those who can sec it. if he can.