Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1856-01-19


- For the Standard
MEssRs. EDroRs:-We were pleased but not
surprised in looking over the columns of your last
seni.weekly issue, to find that, as you usually do,
you had left your paper open both to the ms and
the Outs"-for fair and liberal discussion Of city
affairs; and have expressly disavowed acting upon
any grounds but such as should actuate every good
citizen
Much fault is found with the present manage.
ment Of our city Matters both in the conduct of the
pecuniary affairs Of the corporation and in the lack
Of energy displayed in the enforcing of proper Do
lice regulations; but We regret that the charges
against the present Intendent and Commissioners
have been made public at SO late date, that no
opportunity IS given to the assailed for defence
heard?"
We are far from approving all or most that has
been done by the present Board Our taxes are
high, very high; but has any detailed account of
the receipts and expenditures of the present incum-
bents OF city Offices been demanded by the public
IN time to give them fair and impartial hearing?
party assailed has no opportunity to reply. "Whv
did you tell me your name was Daniel, Sir?" says
the learned judge to the witness, Mr.. Wrinkle. II
did not, my lord" You did. Sir; how else could
have got it down SO in my notes ?-Sence. Sir,
or you shall be committed for contempt!" IRE.
sistible conclusion!
Accounts are matters that it requires time and
patience to do justice to, and bold assertions and
rash denunciations will not be taken for argument
by an enlightened public, when figures are ad-
duced to back them.
And as to our police regulations, We are at loss
to know how it has been ascersained that they are
in a worse condition tnan ever heretofore We
were inclined to thlnk that we were governed too
much. not too t.ie-that too strenuous efforts had
been made by officials to preserve municipal order
and quet-sometimes at the expense of the laws of
the State and the liberties of those under her pro.
lection; that the suppression of the use of spiritu
GUS drinks in our midst, had been too eagerly and
zea!ousy sought after; and learned for the first
time, from communication in your last ISSUE that
trading and gambling tetween white men and slaves
in our little city were daily and nightly occurrences
If this last be So it should be altogether reformed
and at once; but municipal regulations can ef-
feet this reform, unless such citizens as are aware
OF certain definite, particular instances of the Of
fence, will expose them to the proper authorities
and the former evil should be remedied cautiously
and deliberately, not in "h hot haste"
But hoao are such evils of excessive taxation. ex-
travagant expenditures, of insufficient or exagger-
ated municipal government to be rooted out admit
ting that they all exist? Is it by excluding from
office tried and generous public servant and Gle
waiting in his stead yet untried? Is any can
ddate proposed for the lntendants place who has
pledged himself to frugal and economical admin
istration Of the city finances? We are sick of the
can't that would ride into Office upon the popular
and much worn argumentum ad crumanam, even
if there is such candidate: but we know of none
such: we have never seen, heard or dreamed of apv
clear and specific plan laid down by any one euci-
dating how he will effect this desirable ebiect-and
rash and ill-advised would be the man who would,
without the most mature investigation pledge him.
self to any particular course.
How can the Mayor effect what he desires, or con-
troll the management of the city finances? The
charter of the city Of Raleigh directs him to pre-
side over all the meetings Of the Board of Commits
soners when present. and In I'LL cases uhere there is
tie upon any question, he shall be entitled to give
tile casting cote. Now who lays the taxes? The
Board of Commissioners. Who assesses the value of
city property? Persons appointed by the Commits
soneIs. Who disburses the funds when collected
The charter expressly directs that appropriat on
shall be made but by Board of at least majority
of the Commissioners" Who passes the bylaws
and police regulations Of the city? Why majority
of the Board-the lntendant only giving the cast
ing vote when there is tie Until our Mayor be
proved favorable to the faults complained Of how can
we, in the face of this proof, attribute mismanage
ment to him? And finally. if the power of APP
pontment to city offices, vested in the Commission
ers, has been improperly exercised does not the In
tendant divide any blame that may attach with the
rest of the Board Tor his nomination, without the
concurrence of majority of the Commissioners,
does not, in practice amount to any thing?
If we must strike, let us not strike blindly-the
Commissioners are responsible more than the In
tendant-the charter OF the city makes them So
the present lnte0dent could not restrain them he
would: he has shrunk from no responsibility that
we know of-he has shirked no duty that has been
brought home 10 him. What specific charge of in
directness and want of independence has been laid
at his door? Let us beware, lest we exchans King
Log for King Stork. We do know of the present
Mayor that his house is the seat of hospitality, and
his "hcart is open the day" to every charitable
appeal. We know that he has not that nagnani-
mous ind spirited temperament that would induce
him to "retire gracefully from the field" when the
most strenuous efforts making ito thrust him
from his stool " without warning or time for de-
fence: yet he has ever exhibited that less lofty
biton of wardng off from our citizens and city ev-
cry approaching evil, and of giving to metropo-
lis character for hospitality and kind consideration
for the stranger, hitherto unknown. We do know
that he has kindly and generous nature, that would
be deeply wounded by the marked condemnation Of
his felow-citzens.
How unkind, how unjust would it be, citizens,
thus to condemn, unheard, Municipal Head |!
How ungrateful to put another in his stead who
hath done what he could " for US! How unwise
to forget that change is not necessarily, nor proba-
bly, reform! If all be agains: him. yet We, for one,
arc with him. Strike-strike home-citizens for tile
! honor of our "City Of Oaks"
We rest assured that many voices will proclaim
| on Monday Northumberland nlore-than what our
| pen hath here so feebly expressed. 3
Raleigh, Jan. 18th, 1856.
| For the Standard