Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-02-25
For the Spectator.

DEAR SPEcTAToR.-I have noticed in the &C
!. umns of our trio of "well conducted paper.
ahein. for several weeks past, an attempt {
the part of some Of our citizens, to set the tow
TO rights. And have actually seen too in yo
last issue the report ofsome movements towar'
reforms by our City Fathers" Whether the
movements en- embryon which seem to promi
something wondrous great will even realize tn
promise, or whetler.k the 'parturient monte
they will after all produce but u ''rtdicut0
mass remains 10 he seen.
1t strikes me. Mr.. Spectator, that the reforms
who have been boting paper in the callse, n
rather too timid They remind lie of what
his kite which got entanged in the branches
a tree, they didn't Hghtdown in the right place
For instance. they abuse our muddy ilnpls
able-without- wading streets, and praise Il
Commissioners they quarrel with the poo
semi-mute Town Clock. which leads them, 4
misleads them rather, into difficulties immune
able. from having II note protested. up to ii
more serious misfortune OF not being at hon
(the married ones | mean) in time for dinner,an
totally forget the negligence of those whose dut
it is to regulate and repair the 'circling whet
that runneth often round.' Now that 18th
Doctor" has been appointed "Cock WiDder"
hope he will consider it his province to see thf
its internal arrangements are kept in order 81
cundam artem) They lament the possibility {
having their earthly remains ingloriously hid {
way in a hole in our Potter's field, and yet,thos
having the management of Thorn Rose
(Wouldn't Blackberry bush be more spprc
pirate p Cemetery are all energetic, praisewol
thy, philosophical citizens. Kind Fate gran
them couches of R0seless thorns, thronged wit
calling shapes" and ''beckoning shadows
"horrid apparitions tall and ghostly that wall
at dead of night" if they do not plant few thor
roses ere summer blossoming time is over!-
Now, Mr.. Spectator, though | am woman,
am as bold as Daniel in the lions den, and 'un
awed by power, and unappalled BY fear"
could write for hours about the abuses to which
we are subject through the culpable negligence
and procrastination of the powers that be-(pro
crastination seems to be the curse of our com
munity from the highest in office through al
the grades of merchants, tradesmen and me
chanics down to the very boot black who Wl
put off polishing your boots until the breakfast
bell rings. the universal motto seems to be 'dt
,cays put off till tomorrow what ought to be
done to-day, and consequently their lingering
labors come to naughty | could ill sheets Of
foolscap about the wretched, pavementless
streets, and the strange fancy of some of our
wealthiest citizens for having quagmires at their
very doors. could abuse, in no measured terms
either, the shop boys for being too proud and
the darkes for being too lazy to sweep and KEEP
clean eide the streets of Philadelphia or any
other Christian City, what pavements we have
in front of the stores and private dwellings;
could waste words on Hydraulics rs fast as the
Railroad Company waste water-I could grace
ly discuss the propriety of letting
"The yew her sable branches spread
And mournful cypress rear her frInged head
over the now desolated tolnbs of our depart
ed loved ones on that bare and bleak hillside
ycIept Thorn rose Cemetery. But | have a
better. n far more feasible, plan for remedying
the evils we endure than any other that could
he suggested by mountains of words or torrents
of ink-My scheme j, to establish Gyne0cracy.
Start nol,ve Lords of creation; You must come u
it! Elect, we sovereign people, woman as
Mayore>s-not but that our worthy Mayor Is an
excellent and accomplished officer and gentle
man; but his domestic responsibilities are many,
aud we would an relieve him OF this onerous
public duty. (A word in your ear. Mr.. Spectator,
intend to offer myself lis candidate tor this post
of honor) Lei Us have II feminine Recorder,
Miss Prue for in~tance-Give uS active, busllin2
women "a Street Commissioners. Who better
calculated for this Office than Fannie Flannter
and Kitty Sprightly who are alDaysin the sire,
and not mewed up in lawyers Offices or Count
ing houses over mu,ty records or dingy ledgers
and who would therefore keep our thorough
fares aS clean and smooth is ball room floor
Make Saljie Saunter our Town Sergeant; tor
who SO apt us she in her SauntcrinssS Ia and fro
t. detect the lurking thief OF sable atter-tel-o
clock-at-nght-w alkerl Let Us have Council
acOmen and let their counsel he acted upon, and
my word for it our Corporation affairs will soon
be right side up"-An abundance OF pure, life
sustaining water will flow uninterruptedly from
our famished Hydrants. Fire Companies viii
be organized in tact rs well as on paper. OuI
streets will be paved and cleaned and lighted
with gas A handsome and substantial Market
house will he erected for the accommodation OF
housekeepers who are now at the mercy Of the
butchers and chance chicken-wagons. And last,
but not least, that "desert place" the Cemetery
shall in reality blossom like the (thorn) Rose
I'm short, let women rule and-you shall be
aoeU ruled
"0ur keen spirits
Will seize the prompt occasion,-make the thoughts
Start into instant action, and at once
Plan to perform, resolve and execute"
And taxes shan't be increased either-but il
anything dimnished-Qhat's q popular pars.
graph, KaleD Friends of the Common Council
are you willing to resign in our favor9 Will ouI
sisters cooperate with me in this great work OF
Reformation9 What say you Saie, Fannie, Kitty
and Miss Prue9 Don't hesitate, but
"screw your courage to the sticking point
And we'll not fail"
KATE KARELESS.