Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-08-11
a Talk About City Maffera


christian virtue CT paying tszes cheerfully. 1t
is the time Cor the payment of taxes in our city,
and there is an unususl amount of growing and
complaint about them, and in connection there
with sbou; the general management Of city
affairs Several reasons conduce to the di.sstis-
faction. at this time While nominally no
heavier than heretofore, the tax bills call for more
money than ever, because they are laid upon an
increased valuation Of property, which the Legis-
lature in lis wisdom made higher in this county
than in any other. In proportion to Sctual
value Of property our lists are higher in
this county by at least p per cent. than in
the rest Of the State, and we consequently pay g
| quarter moIe thsn cur share Of State taxes.
Our city taxes are also actually Though not
nOmiHally) higher than before and just At the
moment when they bear heaviest, that is when
psynen; is demanded. and when the importance
Of economy in city expenditures comes home
most strongly to our citizens, payment is maj5
by the city Of a claim Of 50 900, the justice Of
which had been disputed, and the existence Of
\
ing thus excited has been increased by the sudden
resignation Of the Oldest and most experienced
member u the City Council, Alderman
and ex-Mayor Wales. The democrats, al
ways waiting like Micawber for something to
turn up, ont Of which they can make little
party capital, Of course hsve been glad enough
to seize upon these matters, exsggerate the
grounds Of complaint, ard howl over Republican
rule in cur city The disaiiected portion of the
fremen, also, Of course chime in. Certain par
ties, moreover, who have had private enmities to
crafty, enc Of whom has had gruige Of many
years standing against Judge Wsles, arising, if
We recolloct Alright, ont Of certain insurance
matters and another, who, as agent for city
liquor dealers, has lost. in part through Mr..
Wales influence in the city government, the
business OF supplying the City Agency with
hquors, happen to stand in such relations to
two democratic papers, that they find in them
ready mediums for the expression of their hatred,
sni through them have poured out on the Mayor
and Aldermen, ard especially on Judge Wales
torrents Of scurrilty and abuse, which, under
ordinary circumstances, would be entirely be-
meath notice, sDI which could have influence
with decent men, only in the existing peculiar
and scmewLa, excited state Of mind of many
citizens.
Now, this, as it seems to ua, is particularly
time for stopping % hiat; for exercising calm
Judgment and common sense.
And in the first llsoe it may be well TO con-
rider who form car city government At its
head ia Mayor Dodge. one Of our most upright,
vholesouleI, public spirited. and respected citi-
zens. lie had 10 desire to he Mayor Tut our
citizens, with surprising uuanimity, called him
to the post, and be is trying to perform it,
duties with fidelity and care At the head Of
the list Of Aldermen stood, till his resignation,
Mr. Wal5s We hsye known him for many
years ami We DO not believe Burlington has had
a more homes, citizen, or a moro faithful public
servant. Nor, if an unblemishei character and
2 record marked by very unusual Indications Of
public confidence snl esteem Cor twenty years, is
Of any value, need he fear that the SANDERS Of
malicious tralncers. can impair his stand
ing with those whose co5i opinion he
values. lie doubtless rejects inst most Of
the attseks upon him cone from sources
where SANDER and sourriliiy is usie trade,
whose denuucisticn is confined to good and hou-
orshe men, and whose praise is AZ insu; sui
abuse is A., commitment We are sorry Mr..
Wales resigned II has pleased Lis enemies, and
is matter Of universal regret among bis friends.
Nsvt on the list is Gen Henry s. active
,.li.;.;,r ~ -ours. fas enemies In. We have
never heard any man Question his iptc-r;tv as
. .-.-,sn y, j. c,., ,.f,,a c,,e~r,f.s an .asi-
ness espsei,v hav, helrei 70 build up the pros
rsr.i, - ,,r CITY and We believe lie tries to
give Il, PHI, rutl., i.,e.re,s the same r15s i1ir-
nent and care Tia: he gives 70 bis own.
Next stands Ifenan r Wia-. Of uuezeeptiou-
aile private aal public cLarsc.er. aui valued
citizen and business msu. Next on the list he
fore US, is Hon. j. j.. Ha.ch, one Of the Oldest
sad atlest members OF the board, an upright
ci zen, connected with the hesyiest commercial
interest Ia lie city ard State and $ peculiarly
careful manager OF vhateyer interests aye con-
fied 20 his hands Next is joel H. Gstes. one of
our heaviest most upright most respected Of cur
business men ene who's, interests are identified
with Burlington. to whose material prosperity his
immense establishment contributes 50 largely
spi va know Of no man who can be more safely
trusted 81, car, for the business Of the city. Next
IS Jane 4 Shell. q square ana honest rnsp if
t-. 1..r ..-.t.