Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1870-08-02
For the Spectator.

VOTERS OF AUGUSTA: e
We used The word Sharper as it is used
every day, a., he is a sharp editor. y he is
sharp lawyer, . he is sharp trader &C.,
&C. but in no offensive sense, not meaning to
be harsh. We said in answer to Progress,
not to the Central Committee (for when our
article was written the committee had not been
appointed there was something like a con-
splracy among the Railroad sharpers against
the best interest of the country" If you will
read an article published in the Spectator, Ju-
ly 5th, you will find something FROM a pretty
sharp gentleman, who sometimes signs him
self Progress, making propositions to take
the quota of stock allotted to Augusta county,
upon the express condition that there shall
NEVER be any Depot, Switch, Station or stop
ping place aoitl,in the bounds of augusta Coun
tn, Except .Stdunton. Don t ou think this
looks something like conspiracy against the
best interest of the county? "
The address issued by twenty gentlemen of
Staunton- men In whom the whole county
has been won to coDfide" urging The county
to vote on the 6lh of August, for the sub>crip-
ton OF 100000 to the Valley Railroad, has a
degree OF pausi, iiity about it; but we are
struck with the fact that not Que c0untyman
is to be found on the committee urging this
subscription. We have honored most of these
gentlemen In the past with our trust and con-
tideuce--we have listened attentively to all
their arguments, and they have had their
weight upon the various questions agitating
the county llinds, and We are keenly sensitive
that you. should now use the 900 votes OF
Staunton to ioice the county (not lnduce) into
this subscription OF $500, coo. We consider
this proposition as going TO sap the very foun-
dations OF our dearest rights-the right of
property-and we do not think it a proper
means to use in carrying the subscription, tor
under an order of the Council, the census OF
Staunton was taken and 5 OUU population re-
ported, upon which the Legislature declared
Staunton to be a city under the new Constitu-
ton elected her a Judge, and all the city Off
GERS have been elected such and qualified, =
This being fact, what right has the city OF
Slaunson to vote In The county uf Augusta
She is close corporation and has no more
right to vote In the county than the city OF
Richmond has to vote in Heurico county, or
the county to vote in the city OF Staunton.-
His honor the Judge Of the county, has no
Jurisdiction in the city OF Stauuton, not even
power to protect the Revenue laws OF the
State !; hence, the revenue laws are violated In
open day with mpunIty by irresponsible par
tles and as the City Judge failed to qualify
there is no redress You can not SO much as
present one OF these vloiators OF the law before
the county grand jury. 81
And if the Judge of the county has no ju-
risdIction 10 the city Of Staunton, as 1t must
appear from the facts, how, we ask, can he o.
der LoIl to open ID the city on a question so
vital to both city and county. We would most
respectfully cali His Honors S attention to the
fact, for we know that justice and fair. dealing
are his object and aIm, and should the CITY
vote of Stanton carry the subscription III the
county, we hold 1t would be good ground for
bill of INJUNCTION to prevent the bonds being
issued. 1t won do, gentlemen, to use the
new Constitution when 1t suits your purpose,
and when it does not, to take up the old one
and use it. Old things have passed away.
And Just here we would say, that majority
vote, ibs.ead of three-fiths was IN the bill, Tx
ing the election as prepared az Staunton, but
was changed by the Legislature and made
three-fit hs-so says one ct our Delegates
Now when we consider that the city OF Staun-
ton has already voted 100000 to the Valley
Rail Road which will make Rail Road tax
OF 60 cents on the hundred dollars worth OF
property. and taking the basis of 1856 she will
nav Rail Road tax 6O cents, ciry tax ~ cents,
State tax so cents, making ST. SO on the hun
dred dollars worth ct properly, SO that 1t a
man is worth In Staunton $1,000 he will pay
$l5 tax. If he is worth $4,000 he will pay
$3.50 tax if he is worth $2O,00O he will pay
$500 tax if he Is worth $4,000 he will pay
$3.50 tax. no less, and you yet want to
add twenty cents more Railroad tax One
might suppose tits tax to be enough even
tor the enterprising City Of Staunton. 'siii,.i-
We ailude to these facts In order to
show that the vote OF Staunton Is used solely
and purposely to carry the subscription OF $500,
OUO In the county As one OF the Central Com
mlttee said: If the county doesn't know her