Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-05-24

| those, who, to injure me, are pouring conteHPtoh
the intelligence of the people by seeking 10 de-
ceive them. M. II. McCOE'
May l8, 1854.
|. a For the Spectator.
To the People of Augusta County.
AS Col. McCue, who seems to claim the right
of being the only candidate for the Shertialty,
takes great exceptions to an article, which appear
ed in the Spectator of the 18th inst, over the sig
nature of Justice, it becomes necessary to get the
gentleman right in what he calls errors, committed
"whether through ingnorance or motive he VIII
not saw He says it is not true that the deflclen-
cies in the county treaaury by the Sheriffs failing
to make his annual settlement as required by law
are assessed against the people, sc. Now let us
see how thu matter stands. The County Court
at its June term ascertains AS nearly az can bel the
amount of the expenditures of the County tor the
ensuing year.
Now suppose that amount to be $l0.OOO.-
VIII the Sheriff make his settlement not before,
at the May Court next, preceding the Court a.
which the levy is made, and there is found IN his
hands balance of So, 900. That is deducted from
,000-leaving only balance OF S5,OOO to be
assessed against the people. But If there be no
settlement by the Sheriff annually. as The lar re-
0ureS. so as TO ascertain this balance, OF course
this assessment is made against the people for the
whole amount ofthe $4,000 Is this not taxing
the people to supply the deficiency? Now Mr..
Sheriff, did this idea never enter into your brain
before; and why do you not tell the people ofthe
deficiency in the treasury ofsl500. The tax up
on your Office, which You refuse to pay, is TO be
supplied. The Sheriff will not dare tell the peo-
pie that that deficiency is not supplied by assess
ment against them.
| suppose he would say, as he has already said,
that he has right )although the case has been
decided against him n the Circuit Court of Au-
gusta County, to appeal to higher tribuna-and
carry it to the Court of Appeals. This right we
will not deny him; but the people in the mean
time have also the right to elect another person to
that office, who thinks the tax just and proper,
and who will pay it over according to law, there
by essening the tax against the people.
Again, the Sheriff says that up to the fall of
1858, he was sea oificiO" Treasurer of the Coun-
ty, and as such, required to hold all the monies
in his hands, subject to order of the Court. Now
we DO not "know" Latin. but suppose that sex
oiicio' meansin tn IS place 0fmy o,cn making;;"
for the Code of Va, (rliich is Writtcn in Eng
Hsh.) no where as far as is known TO us. makes
the Sheriff Treasurer. He is truly Treasurer
"by lis own making" Eek ofticio,) for he never
came up annually as required by law 10 settle
with the Commissioners Of the Coust, for tho
that purpose land, of course, the County Court,
not knowing on account of his (the Sherif's) own
deialcation what was in his hands, could not make
the orders, to pay one of which, he complains 50
biilerhj. | would refer the Sheriff to the Code Of
Va, page $50. sec. 10. The Sheriff is found, it
seems, assuming honors and dgnities, especially
such as are fat in the money line. He IS The 1reds-
,rcr sea oficio"-i e., by his own appointment.
Again, he says the poor rates and railroad tax
have always been promptly paid. This assertion,
we undertake, backed by record, to pronounce not
true. refer the people to the following order
which appears upon the record-book of the Over
seers of the Poor, furnished by Ncho. K. Trout,
the Clerk of that Board
.The Overseers of Augusta county, at their
meeting, March 7, 1853, Ordered that N. X.
Trout. as counsel for the Board proceed to collect
of the Sheriff of Augusta county, the amount due
from him to the Board as, also, whatever sum
NAV appear to be due from any former Sheriff Of
the county,"
And yet. COL McCue, the Sheriff says he had
always paid the poor rates promptly. lfso, why
make an order to sue hm2
AS to the Railroad tax OF 1853, not one dollar
has been paid, SO far as can be seen in the County
Office. If paid. to whom, or how was 1t paid
The agent appointed by the Court, kno,cS OF no
such payment. Again, Col, McCue complains
of what he calls ga secret hand bt,'or rather "a
tey abdeada,' which did not appear in the article
of Justice in the Spectator. Now; do not know
that Justice was bound to consult the Sheriff as to
the mode of publishing his facts.
But lest the public might think (Which is not
true) something unfair was intended; Justice VIII
saw the reason why the addenda complained OF
did not appear in the first article was, that he had
not seen the article of Col. McCue in reply to
"Many Voters" which appeared in the same
Spectator. If secresy had been intended, he
would not have directed his article, as amended,
to be published in all of the other papers OF the
cS,nty as soon astcould be done. Again, the Coils
laboring hard to make capital ou OF the fact, that
the author.M Justice, is George Baylor, the broth
er of his opponent. Has it come to this because
he happens 10 be the brother of a candidate, has
he no right to tell the truth? No! truth is too
stubborn in this case for it to be admitted by the
Col.-but it is all right for Brother in-law and
at leas, ,..a deputy OF the Col, 10 go about sow
ing misrepresentc.,cns broadcast over .ne ianu' ID
order to secure his reelection. Col. McCue says
he never did pretend that at the Tune NJ -"
nev had notices served on him for his fees, he
did not owe him anything. and 1t others made
different statements, il has no doubt been done
mistakingly and without correct understanding
of the facts suppose they had forgotten the
old adage, if you know nothing say nothing.
But strange that his representatives did not
better understand their employer. Justice says
further. that although he be a brother Of the OPP
oonent of Col. McCue, that ifJacob Baylor should
be elected Sheriff, and he does not make his an
nual settlements and pay overmonieS collected by
him as the law directs, that he, Justice, will be
one of the first men to 60 against him, should he
be candidate Cor re. election. Now in conclusion,
Justice has said nothing but what is true. and to
his being coward, he will only say that he does
not feel so, and he hopes that the Col. does not
think so.
| In conclusion, let me say, the conduct Of Col
McCue is very extraordinary. He ietaggrleved
at the article of Justice and demanded the name OF
the author For what purpose was the demand
made The author thought of course. the Col
being aggreved, wanted personal satisfaction, d.
recied the name 10 be promptly given. But the
Col orgetiu ofall etiquette in the matter, desire:
child ike, to handy words. instead of acting il
accordance with the requirements Of proprieiy il
such matters Justice cant be driven nom hi
proprey, CT dragged into the position Of assailant
when his position, according 10 every rne of hon
or, is that Of defence. JUSTICE.
Oa- A despatch from Washington, on Snnda,
last. says - Caucuses were held last night b.
both the friends aud opponents of the Nebrask
bill The latter will struggle TO prevent The qnes