Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-05-19
For the Vindicator.1

self in controversy with either ''Relief" or
Sufferer" but simply to do justice to
worthy set Of gentlemen. who had not sought
position, but had been called to fill RESPONSE
BILE trusts by their fellow citizens It seems,
however, that was mistaken, and that I
shall be compelled to notice at least one of
these gentlemen-(are they not one and the
same?)
The first part OF Sufferers" article,
which is purely personal matter, [ shall
pass by. His other assertions are merely
reiterations of "Relief's," upon whom, for
want of more capital, he draws heavily, ex-
cept that, unlike ''Relief," he has not first
wanted rich men in the Council, and, find
ing that would lose the votes Of poor men,
turned complete somersault and lately
wants poor men to fill the position. A word
just here-the poor men are not fools be-
cause poor, and Relief had as we'll cease
his attempt to gull them.
But to the point Suferer" declaims
heavily against the Water Tax, and he and
"Relief" declare that the fathers intended
water to be free. On the contrary, pre-
vious councils imposed tax on water sas
they said "to equalize the taxation between
the property and non-property holder. =
They had large License tax to rely on and
capitation tax ad ibitane TIE latter they
placed at SO and from the former realized
largely over $1,000 and yet they placed a
tan on svoter-it ayasn't free. Under the
New Constitution the capitation tag was re-
duced to so cents and the License taxes re-
duced over half This left the burden to
be borne by Water, Real and Personal
Property and Dogs. The taxes on these
were necessarily heavier than they had been
before-(no noting the flood which increased
| them considerably)-and as water had Gre
ated the larger portion of the bonded debt,
as well as to carry out what it was thought
experience had proven to former councils to
| be wise-the equalization Of taxation-wa-
ter was assessed with what was supposed to
be its proportion. The tax must be on
either water or property, and no matter
which they cry aloud. The truth is that
very te,o men have been hunting something
to complain Of Taking together the capt.
tation and water taxes of 1S69-70 and of
| 1901, there is not one in ten that has
paid more in the latter year than they were
compelled to pay in the former. Besides
this, an appropriation Of about three-fourihs
of the amount of this water tax was made
to Free Schools, without levying special
tax for that purpose, which made these tax
es less burdensome to all to bear and was
especially advantageous to the poor man,
and to Sufferers" "widow with her cling
ing little ones.'
As to the cart contract for 81, 20 day
we learn that no such an offer was made,
but that proposition was made to furnish
carts at 81 80, which was accepted and the
party requested to 60 to work, but instead
of having previously bought carts, begged
time to get them. 1t was granted him and
for all we know he isstill taking his time about
the carts. This party appeared with wa
gon short time since and has been from
that time employed with it on the streets.
His other statements are on a par with
this and, if had the time and you the space,
Mr. Editor, could be as easily refuted seli-
atm. ''Sufferer" then would seem to be
very far from correct in his facts" and l
may be permitted to say that if he can not
make more correct statements, or guess bet
ter, even with the aid of "Cousin Sally Dill
lard" he had better cease to try to enlight-
en- the public While his s'facts'' are per-
verted therefore wanting in truth-as
"guessist' he is also failure. I think [
can beat him and give him another trial
At any rate, as guessing is the programme,
1 will try, and leave the public to Judge.
I guess that all the light ''Suferer" has
on any subject is borrowed light, and that
he never thought out subject for himself,
or he would not deal in such generalities
and mere assertions, or allow himself to be
imposed upon with the idea that abusive
epithets or vituperative language were ar
guments. guess that all the light he has
on the subject he thinks he discusses, comes
from a small sized store-room on Main Street,
that smelleth of Virginia's famous weed,
where trio doth frequently congregate,
whose present business seems to be to concoct
schemes to control the City. I guess that
''Suferer'' and :'Relief' are the same par
ty, secured (probably paid) to do the wri-
ting Of the trio, in order to secure their
ends, viz: getting the control Of the City
in their hands, in which they were most
signally defeated by the voice Of the people,
last May. guess that the trio have been
posted, in all things that could be quibbled
about, by one whose business is to be at
Council Meetings, and the reduction Of
whose per centage was besetting sin Of the
Council, [ guess further that the whole eff
fort to create an excitement thus far has
been made by the trio, whom ''Suferer"
alias "Relief," serves, and for the sole rea.
son that they are on the anxious bench and
want to get into the Council Having guess
ed this much, leave to the public to Judge
hoy far l have missed the mark, and wheth.
er, as guessist, ! do not bear the palm away
from Sufferer"
The public may also decide, whether, as
far as have treated the subject, or dealt
with the trio and its satellites, l can not
still claim the title of JUSTICE
Important to Liquor Dealers.
U. S. Revenue Collector Ruth, has kind
ly furnished US With the following order
from the Commissioner of Interal Revenue,
at Washington, which will be of interest to
all wholesale liquor dealers.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT, J
OFFICE OF INTERNAL REVENUE,
Washington, May 9th, 1871,