Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1871-05-23
For the Spectator.
Our City Council.

accused
ness an CONCLUSIONS.
Mr.. EDITOR In view of the near approach
OF the election Of a Council for our city, and
the important results involved therein, again
ask tor space in your columns, that [ may
Keep before the people, the important subjects
being discussed and fulfill my promise made
in my first communication, !. e.: to lend a
hearty and energetic corporation to &C.
compilsh reform IN our municipal affairs.
MI. hellef, allow me to thank you, and
congratulate the citizens Of Staunton for the
energy displayed, and the success achieved by
you, in giving to the public correct statement
from the records Of the finances of the city as
managed and controlled by the present Coun-
Gil F; but must say that when [ requested you
to take Justices" statement to the records,
was not prepared for such an alarming result
OF the investigation: May 18th, 1871, So
9o7. AZ in debit Taxpayer, at this rate OF
expenditure, this Council will have PUT YOU
in debt at the end of the year, 1st July next,
SI3, O63.73 Can any preceding Council show
such record as this? Can you afford this
Will you tamely submit? viii you glance SUI
perficlally and carelessly over this statement of
recorded facts published by Relief in the
plrganaon OF the 18th inst, and not demand
reform? Adopt such a course, and it will
prove to be when too late for you to apply the
remedy financial suicide to our city.
A DISTINCTION WITHOUT A DIFFERENCE
taxpayer, allow me to put question to you
that vitality affects your interests. You hire a
hand to work on the streets at ST. 25 per day
he earns five dollars, applies for the money
you tell him there is no money in your hands,
but can pay him IN goods--(the laborer CAM
walt tor his earnings longer than from week to
week)-he must have provisions to feed HIM
self and tamlly-he takes the goods in pay
ment, but is not seen working on the streets
again. Why? He answers-because he cant
get currency for his labor when he wants it, or
that those who are willing to take goods in
payment without complaint, have the prefer
ence. Does not this amount to refusing to en-
pioy unless he takes goods2 Is not the result
the same?
President Grant has been charged with many
eofhclal crimes, such as supporting at the pub
lie expense the whole Grant and Dent family,
but be has not deigned to notice them in any way
and 1t may be for the reason that he is innocent
or thinks that everybody" don't know that he
is the one alluded to, or perhaps it is because
he is wanting in bravery and courage, and is
''afraid to sign his name. -
Further than this [ shall not notice the card
published in the TTginion Of the 18th inst,
styled, Reply to Sufferer asI deem all else
in it blank, and foreign to the interests Of the
tax-pay ers of Staunton, ard the matters now
being discussed before the public Surely ''the
wicked flee when no mar pursueth.
Tax payers, in the Psndicator of the 10th
inst, we have this 'embroiled" and corpuent
individual, Justice, in the witness box again
acting in the double capacity Of counsel and
witness for the accused Does he answer any
fact that Relief has stated, or any complaint
made known or question asked by 'Sufferer?'
He comes into your presence, stating, not
what he knew to be facts, but what he ''be-
lieved to be fair statement I suppose as
told by his client Pulled up with his con-
ceited guessing abilities, he proceeds with the
idea that he can make capital for his client in
this hopeless case by trying to array the classes
| one against the other, the poor against the rich
This trick is too apparent to "gul the poor, OPP
inform you. Justice, that that cock won t
fight '-'piek your flint and try again"
We find him next in the 3rd paragraph of his
mirth provoking dispositions, conclusivey foun-
dering about among subjects, with which he
| evinces no acquaintance, and no ability to han
die, such as Water-ax, equal taxes, property
holder and non property holder, license tax,
capitation, dogs, food, bonded debt free
| schools, &c, &c.
| In the next, 4th paragraph we have him tell
ing what he thinks is correct about the cart con-
| tldCU' HIS QuSStlCU Oi VGT2clty De-
tween this swift witness and the contractor. We
hadour statement from the lips Of the contrac-
tor on more than one occasion, and as to which
| the public will believe, you or he, you may
T guess
| He says next ''if had the time and you the
space Mr.. Editor, &c, Taxpayer, that this
great light should be SO suddenly blown out for
| the want of more s'time aud space may prove
a great calamity to us all ; but as in all human
probability, that is so far distant In the things
of the future that the writer can't 'see it,
Sufferer would say to all who want guessing
done in large quantities regardless of quality
employ Justice" And now, Justice per-
nit me in all kindness to inform you of this
fact, that the public do not accuse you what
ever your sins may be otherwise of getting, Oh
paying any one to write your articles for you
and let me advise you now, as brother, tina
if you have received pay from any one for wri
ting these articles, 60 and refund the money
for you have not earned ii, no matter how small
the price and let me say that the public
ought, as | will, deal charltably with you, ant
attribute all your errors and false guessing to
weakness OF the head rather than to deprav
ity Of the heart; and finally, let me assure 20,
that do not feel ''embroiled," nor do I se
any reason why you should feel so-this is al
"open field and free fight why net maxi
get squeezed p and if it should so happen tina
you occasionally get coal of lire On your back
just remember, and console yourself by know
ing that you must s'bear the cross if you woul,
wear the crown. .
La conclusion, Mr.. Editor, permit me to sug
gest that neither Relief, Justice, til
criminaIly interested-nor Sufferer should 81
in judgment In this case, but that the tax-pay
ers of cur city should constitute the tribuna
before which this case should go; let theu
take all the guessing done on the one side, an,
all the facts produced on the other, and if the
find that they cannot arrive at verdict, will
these before them, let them call for person
and papers 1t won't do for these gentlemen
to get in the pouts, look cross. and call har,
names when they are called upon to give al
account Of their stewardship; no honest, high
toned ard independent people who mean t
meet their liabilities, will submit to such AFRO
gance and dictation.
In dealing with this council it has been NJ
aim to confine my remarks to their official acts
studiously avoiding personalities, and woul,
not have alluded to several matters, except tina
the public veal imperatiyely demanded it.
SUFFERER.
MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Regulations for School Elections. AT the las
meeting of the State Board Of Education tn
following regulations concerning elections 70
school purposes were adopted:
Whereas by act of the Legislature, ap