Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-08-03
For the Spectator.
The County Subscription to the Central Rail-

The County Subscription to the Central Rail-
road.
I'm THE COUNTY COURT OF Angus
Il IA, June 81, lS59.-Ordered that a poll be
opened on the 18th day of September next, at
the Court and the several places of voting
in the county, under the direction of the Commits
sioners and Officers appointed to superintend and
conduct the elections held on the fourth Thursday
in May ast,' take the sense ofthe persons ghafi-
ed to vote for members of the General Assembly,
in-the county of Augusta upon the following ques-
ton, to wit:-Shall the County Court OF Angus
Ia be authorized to make an additional subscrip-
ton TO the Capital Stock of the Virginia Central
Rail Road Company, to an amount not exceeding
forty thousand dollars-such subscription to be
paid In the bonds of the county OF Augusta at par
OF in the cash proceeds of the sale OF so many OF
such bonds as can be sold at a premium and as
may be necessary TO pay such subscnptlon-such
bonds to be payable ten years after the date there
Of and thereafter to be redeemable at the pleasure
OF the County Court so that the same be redeem
ed within thirty -four years from the date thereon
and to bear interest at the rate OF sx per centam
per annum and payable silnl-annualiy at enc of
the Banks in Staunton, to be designated On the
face ofsaid Bond The said County Court to
| provide for paying the interest on said bonds In
the first place by applying the dividends on the
stock so subscribed to that purpose, and In the Sc
cond place by laying a tax according to law tor
the residue and for the redemption otthe principal
ofsnch debt, either by setting apart annually one
per cent upon the whole amount of such bonds to
constitute a sinking fund or By The sale OF the
stock SO subscribed at pan or for premium as said
Court may deem most advantageous to the inter-
est of the county. Copy-Ieste,
| JEEEED KINNEY elk
! Fellow CITIZENS At the time the above
order was made, intended, along with other gen
tlemen far better qualified for the task, to have
sought an opportunity before the day OF voting, to
discuss before you at the several precincts OF the
County, the important question Involved in the
order. Not because had any peculiar Individual
interests to be advanced by it-not that believed
myself as competent as many others to discharge
this important daty, bat because knew II was an
arduous and laborous task which somebody must
perform land as friend of the railroad was will
ling to undertakes dae proportion oft. Owing 10
the engagements of others or whom the friends OF
the measure relied, it is now extremely doubtful
whether a public discussion of the subject can be
expected before the August Court and teelingthe
importance of immediate action, shall instead of
caneassipg the county avail myself of the kind on
fer of the columns OF the Spectator, to address to
your consideration such reflections in regard to 1t
as have occurred to my own mlCd In doing 50
have deemed il best to write over my own name,
rather than ANONYMOUSLY, for the reason that If
shall unfortunately advance an argument Of make
a statement which in the opinion OF any one is IN
correct, responsibility may attach 10 the proper
person.
The advocates of this subscription do not desire
that it shall carry unless it be approved by the fair
and unbiased judgment of the county. On
question of SO much importance every effort at
trickery and demagogism should be scorned at the
outset. 1t is question on which every man should
endeapour to form an Intelligent opinion for him
self. from fall survey of all the circumstances
surrounding it, and then in q spirit of manly indie
pendence 90 to the polls and give expression by
his vote to the opinion which he honestly enter
tains~ 1t is question upon which the opinion OF
each individual, affects most seriously others be-
sides himself in the community, and he should
therefore desire,as neghbor, citizen, patriot,
to arrive at right conclusions before he undertakes
to act. 1t is question on which vast deal may
be said view it In what aspect you choose,and 1t IS
worthy of the most careful investigation into all
the facts and circumstances calculated to elacldate
it, In these papers my sole aim shall be to lay
before you such information as lies within my
reacn, ana crave your IeSp ecuul CONSIDERATION VI
such reasons as may be adduced in favour of the
subscription, in the hope that your judgment is
convinced you will vote for it, if not, no man has
the right to complain you vote against it.
The propositions which think car be establish
ed, are,
First. That this subscription will amount to a
mere loan of the credit OF the county to the Rail
road Company, and that with the,exception ofone
years interest on it we shall never be required to
raise any portion of it by taxation.
Secondly. That it would be sound economy TO
make the subscription eccn if the amount had to
be raised by taxes, and therefore it will be very
wise financial operation to lend oar credit as pro-
posed.
Thirdly. That in common justice and fairness
to the State and the Company we should thus
lend our credit for the amount asked.
Fourhly. That in view of the complicated re-
lations subsistRg between the Central road and
some other great lines in the State, Augusta should
desire to have potential voice in the Company,
which can only be in proportion to her stock
Filthy. That the progressive spirit Of the sge
demands a contribution at our hands to the com
mon stock of public enterprise, commensurate with
our high position as a community. And lastly,
that we should not yield the palm ofimprovement,
public spirit and liberallty TO our neighbours OF
| Rockingham and Rockbridge.
These propositions will be discussed in their
order. ). u. lhBODEN.
For The Spectator.
Blue Ridge Tunnel.