Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-04-17
To tie Editors # the enquirer.
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To TIE Editors # the Enquirer.
TAXPAYERS, ATTENTION.
Gentlemen: When public grievance is be.
yohd the control of individual effort, il becomes
all who feel its effects, and perceive its tenden
cy, 10 admonsh the people Of approaching evil,
and make such suggestions as, if adopted, may
avert it. Unless some check be administered,
our legislative profusion and prodiealty will be.
come proverbial, and Virginia, so long renown'
ed for wisdom, pro5isy and responsibility, will
be in the unenvabe condition of some Of her
sister States, involved, deplorably, heavily in
volved, and that great moral degradation, repu.
diation, will be the alternative OF submission 10
odious taxation.
Moderate, direct taxation, is cheerfully toie-
rated by intelligent and patriotic people, II is
the pecunary consideration we should, and do
willingly, allow for the many blessings secured
by Government. Onerous taxes lead TO grum-
bling and dissatisfaction. By degrees repudia.
ton is talked of, approved and adopted, which
Being often named, wishing for relief,
We adopt, In turn, 10 make the matter brief.
know nothing certain of its effects on the
morals of people, but suppose that devastation
to individual honesty must be q consequence.
Hard enough is it wsen we have paid oar
private accounts, and laid BY The small surplus
designed for charitable purposes or other plea
sures. or as guard against after-claps, &C., TO
be called on b. that most punctual OF all public
servants, the sheriff. as we can all testify, to
tip unto him likewise.
But when that thoughtful functionary shall
present US with accounts trebing the present,
then il is We shall feel the bur,hen to be heavy
indeed-then we shall fee the unavaablity of
,c tha
sent day.
Will not the history and experience Of other
States serve TO admonish you, nor yet Jour own
observation impress you With sense Of duty
to yourselves and posterityl
Shall we saddle our children with the costs,
and leave them worn out lands 10 defray them
Depend upon it, the exrayagant display Of
craftsmanship and public sprl,cdness in the
late Legislature is mole OF the shadow than
the substance, and Bunconbe has been at the
bottom of much Of it. Many of the arguments
and incentives resorted 10 in behalf of improve
ments are often specios and meretricions,
framed ad captandum. Wonderful predictions
OF grand consequences, lave been made, and
the result has been private loss and public debt.
Hand in hand with these things has gone The
ignoblo and detrimental pr,clice of log rolling,
which has caused more of the peoples money 10
be lavished on contemplate and improbable
works than would build road through the
State
This is one of the great erils in most legis-
latiye bodies and the peopb who furnish the
stakes for this low game should have an ego 10
the players.
There have been many bunders in our lrll-
provemenl policy. As an nsance OF stuPendons
Jolly and extravaganza, simply refer 10 Inc
James River Canal and The mlsdlrecled Souiheln
extension OF Louisa Railroad Tuinous TO Inc ca
nal, then the Eastern exleIslon to Richmond, al
though the revenue was equally burning NOES
in The public Golfers. These things are ,or0ng
and the remedy and only hope Is In The voice Of
a sovereign people-the taxpayers who senc
men there, as il were, 10 cat, drink and De merry,
and jovial,zc in general way.
deprecate hostility TO q well dieesied system
CT improvements. Such a bill as they with dit
icuIty squeezed through hear The close OF the scs-
sion is worthy OF a Virginia Legislature. The
Virginia and Tennessee Railroad is not calcu-
laied to dclude STOCKHOLDERS or burden the peo-le,
and 10 such We assent Tough IoWlander Bn'
some other schemes might be named, were !! per-
tinenl here 10 do 80, which might make appear
that we had moncyipentlns machine la'ey
imported AM operating i,r the especial behooi and
qualification Of our potent, grave and r6percHd
seieniors Of the Legislature
Be not surprised il guaranty be given nexi
winter 10 The canal bonds Tor carrying on lni>
aorla of commerce 10 effect junction WIN us
new rival, The Louisa Raioad, beyond the Alie-
phany. This would be mixing beth ends meet
with vengeance. All itenew-angled schemes
Of those who want lubb-' liit IN life are liReiy
10 receive the fostering care of government
10, lao, a rIF0
(as stanC, climac,eric) vii! find favor. But to
return to the poin, 81 DEPRESSION, reiietae my
cordial appreciation Of prudent investments in r.
imbursing and extensively beneficial improve
inenls
This is not written in Prejudice, but because
happen 10 know something OF the mocus opefan-
di, the sterco,yped arguments, the bright VI
sions conjured up by selfish ingenuity, and mat II
is very easy TO 90 foolish thing hui nara ~ uh-
20 il. Whilst the people are passive ana resign
ed, they may know encrodchmcnts VIII be made
on their Interests When they make known
their sentiments, public servants will obey their
will, Tor theirs is the voice Of majesty.
Then, fellow-citizens, give uuerance T. your
disapprobalion. Let the candidate Tor The honor
Of representing you make known his views on
this snbec,. Il is time for re,rcnchmcnt and re-
form. Our Legislature should either conflGe
their attention 10 wise Improvements, national
in their scope AMI character, or reduce The usual
ratio OF ,hIee.fi where he number Il bene-
6ciaries is so disrroporoEa'e u The injured as
TO make the wcrl, merely sectional. Lei each
man who ieeis The CALLING wei"h. @! taxation or
foresers that he will feel il, require Il his oandl
date a promise 10 oppose useless and frivolous
expenditures exhort you 10 attend 10 This mai
ter before il shall be TOO iair The remedy IS
with you--use il 10 your fuufc advantage and
prosperity. AHlCoo POPoLl.
PowHlrAs COUNTY, lS49.
NEW KENT CoUNTY-PUBLIC MEETiNG-sE'
Material ELECTION.
Ala meeting of Wings and Democrats CT New
Ken, county, without distinction OF party, held in
The Court House, after the discussion between
Messrs Slanard aud Sheppard, the following pre-
amble aud resolutions were unanimously adopted
Whereas we approve generally The course o.
Ruheu C. Slauard as our representative in the Sc
maze of Virginia for the last five years and more
particularly that part OF it which has connected
him in prominent manner with the great an
all absorbing question Of The day, uhe Wilmo
Proviso and whereas We believe that his delea'
under existing circumstances, would tend male
rally 10 impair the value OF The representative
trust and give 10 our enemies 10 the non-slave
holding States preiext, at least, Tor distressing
our devotion to Southern rig hts and institutions
Therefore, be it
Resolved, That we will cordially support 'h'
reelection Of Mr.. Slarard as thing just 10 IL
self 10 him. inst to ourselves and particularly
~ r. -. .x.e,n, innrture of affairs