Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-05-17

could not ourselves reconcile and adjust our con.
tlcting views, the matter in dispute is undergoing
judicial investigation; and do not intend to with
draw it from the Court, and submit the decision
of this matter of account between US to popular
vote. If "Many Voters" would like to study the
case the papers can be found at the Circuit Cour
Clerks office. AS far as am concerned, do mo-
intend to be instrumental directly or indirectly
in dragging before the public any private contro.
versy may be so unfortunate as to be engaged
in; and should deem myself worthy of cordem
nation at the hands of the public if / did so.--
These are my views of gentlemanly proprety.--
"Many Voters" may have another standard. te
which decline to conform.
But in the Sd and last place it is charged" thai
unnecessarily asked an extension of 60 days time
for paying in therevenneofthis year. did ask and
obtain the extension and for these reasons: Under
the law, | was entitled to receive the Commission
ers' books on the 18th day of June but last year
owing to the ardy action of the Legislature in pas
sing the tax bill Gas was the case the year before,
the Commissioners were unable to 90 to work I'M
til very late period, and consequently did moi
receive all the books until late in the fall-4 OF
5 months after the usual time. I then had all
the tax tickets to make of. The Circuit Court
commenced its session on the 9Th day of Novem-
Der, and the important criminal trials, which con-
sumed The terms required the constant attention
of myself and Deputies. On the 9th of January,
Judge Tompson commenced n protracted extra
term ofhis court All the subpenas and process
of both these long and important terms had to be
executed during the time when we might other
wise have been collecting taxes. This was an
unusual and extraordinary interruption.
Moreover the season for collecting was the dead
of winter (and hard winter at thai) when the
people could not conveniently market their pro-
duce and therefore money was scarce and cullec-
tions necessarily slow. Under these circumstan-
ces asked the extension of sixty days. The
Auditor was consulted and stated that it would
make but little difference to the treasury and on
learning the above fact, offered if necessary, TO
aid me by his recommendation before the legisla
ture: but that body, without opposition on the
state of facts given above, granted the in
diligence and now | ask fir whose benefit was it
granted not for mine altogether. notwithsan-
ding the winter and the courts and the scarcity of
money, the taxes could have been collected. could
have gone myself and sent my deputies through
out the county, with the stern determination to
indulge no man-to call at every house and if
the owner had not the means TO pay Ills taxes. to
seize his property and sacrifice it, and that could
nave Collected inc revenue, ID SDOrter Time tnan
it was ever done before. did not think howev-
er that it was right to adopt such a course unless
it was absolutely required by the pablo interest
have been Sheriff long enough to know that
people have not always got money in their pock-
cts and that little indulgence is often 4 matter
of much consequence er6n for the small amount
of mans taxes. "Nlany Voters" would proba-
bly, have been better satisfied if this sixty days
extension had not been granted to me, and through
me to the people of the county. 1t might have
gratifed them to see the taxes collected by levy
and with relentless severity.
A man whose horse or only cow was under levy
for his taxes. would have submitted more compla
Gently TO good deep share of 10 or 5 per cent
to raise the money and redeem his property; and
who knows but that this wonld have been playing
right into the hands of :'Many Voters"
hope have thus (Impprleclly know she
ceeded in Settling many doubts in the minds of
persons anxious to know the facts of the case"
and thai" MANY Voter" in particular (the cordal-
ty of whose friendship for me is evnced by their
great soliciiude to give me opportunity to clear
up "chargcs" that would otherwise ''tend to
injure me in the approaching election'') are now
satisfied and that the way being now open they
will step forward with clear conscences, indulge
their feelings of kind partiality and add to their
own happiness by securing my election beyond
doubt. appreciate ts'true sense, their wholly
disinierested kindness, and shall be very happy
if the result of my election is TO relieve them of
all apprehension for future prosperity and welfare
am, "Many Voters" very respectfully your
obedent servant. M. r. McCUE.