Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-03-20
fCf the spectator.
To the Voters Of the Town of Staunton.

[ take the liberty of calling the attention of
the Voters OF the Town of Staunton to the i'm
portance Of their next municipal election-which
occurs early In the month of April.
1t is well known to every one, that our peo-
pie are literally groanlng under the oppressive
taxes, which they are required to pay to the
Federal and State Governments. The vast ma
jonty of Taxpayers have to borrow the money
to meet these deInands-thus mortgagimg; in
advance, their future earnings. That this CON
dition of things will result in selling many of
our most worthy citizens cut Of their homes, is,
fear, but too certain
Our State Government approaching this con-
diti0n Of things wisely determined to fund the
unpaid interest on the State debt, and reduce
the taxes to one-half what it was before the
war; and passed general Stay Law to prevent
creditors from harassing their debtors at this
critical time Every one sees and recognizes
the fact, that these laws were necessary and
proper at this time. Now, In the face Of these
facts, our Town Council has gone to work and
created new Offices, with salaries attached, lev
led, [ am told, for the whole interest due on
the Corporation debt, and retrenched the e1-
penses Of the town in no particular that [ know
Of The town tax for this year, is double as
much as the State Tax, ard nearly as oppressive
on the mass Of tie people, as Federal and State
Taxes combined The question naturally oc-
ours, why is this so and who are the men man
aging our affairs? No one can give good rea-
the present from such taxaton-but it is not
surprising when we know the inexperience of
the men who are managing our affairs.
| do not mean to be offensive, or unkind to
the members of the Council; for believe them
to be worthy men, aiming to do what they be-
leve to be right 1t is, however, unquestion-
ably too true, that, as body, they are not men
of sufficient education, experience, and enlarged
views. to meet and successfully manage so deli
cate, and difficult subjects as finance, and taxa
ton. Is it not the part of prudence, and com
mon sense to have our best, and most expo
rienced men to manage these difficult matters?
We exercise this prudence in all of our other
offices, both public and private, why not do so
in this?
We select our best men for Congress, to rep
resent our interests there; and we send our best
men to the Legislature to manage these matters
for us there; but here at home, where we see
the heaviest burden Of all, we pay no attent on
to the matter We do not seem to care who
represents us here. Why have we not such
men in our Town Council as Alex. FL. FL Stu
art. Thos. }. Niche, Bent. Crowfora Jno. b.
Baldwin, H. &. Hartman, r. II. Phillips, r.
G. Bickle, and others Many of you will say
these men do not want the position We'll
it is true, the Office pays nothing, and if prop
erly discharged it will be tax upon their time
and attention but, as good citizens, they could
not refuse public trust of this kind, especially
at this time, These gentlemen vii viii never be
candidates for TIE place, but they will serve you
If elected. 1t is no favor conferred upon them
but the favor is the other way: you are the
party benefited. Any man who puts himself
in the attitude CT 9 candidate for the place
gives the most conclusive evidence in the world
Of his ;inftness for it. " -
K Then, at the next election, let us select our
best men, as conscript fathers, into whose
hands we CAN safely entrust our interests, as it
is clear we need all the help we can get to go
through. HARD TIMES.