The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1872-01-11
For the Valley Virgin. an.
A Few Facts for the Pe0pla.


In the last Finaicator, under the head-of Getty
Council" we were surprised aud amused at the
synopsis of The report given eff the special COM
mittee appointed July 4, 1871 to investigate the
charges made against the former Council by ERE
lief" Being highly impressed with the vital
Importance of the following resolution or pro-
clamation, issued by this Council ..Resolved-
That said charges are slanderous and highly i'm
proper and merit the condemnation of this Coun-
Gil, 1--WE were curious to know the 'sSeven"
members who issued this proclamation, and by
reference to the Record we find, wonderful to
tell, William H. German, G. 7. Cochran, P. B.
Hoge, and W. j. Nelson all members of the for
mer Council, land responsible for prolonging this
controversy marvellous proper persons, indeed,
to vote on this question-and here let US say, the
responsibility of violating the 18th Rule CT Or
der of the City Council rests upon these sensi
tive gentlemen: Rule-'Every member pres
ent, when question is put, unless interested, or
excused from voting by the Council, shall vote
on the question, together with I. Witt, R. NJ.
Guy and ]. L. Undertake. The vote of Messrs.
Witt and Timberlakc is more curious than uses
full md deserves some attention. 1t is rather @
melancholy reflection upon these gentlemen,
when we remember they ran upon the opposition
ticket. which endorsed sRelief's' charges. Now
these gentlemen say without an Investigation
they acted ''highly improper and merit the con-
domination Of this Council Here is a palpable
inconsistency If these gentlemen, after this vote,
stay in their places in the Council, we would ad
wise that they be more perpendicular hereafter
What are the facts This Committee have spent
six months of their mortal existence in unwearl
ed efforts to relieve the distresses Of the former
Council, by investigating charge never made,
and overlooking the charges made by ''Relief."
A friend informed US that at the Council meeting
this committee admitted they had never inyesti
gated single charge made by "Rclief," and did
not send for persons and papers as authorized
Can it be possible this Committee have been so
derelct in the discharge of a responsible duty
Therefore, to avoid any false impression which
may be made by said report, we will quote one OF
isReliefs' charges: sThis Council levied the
excessive and wonderous tax Of $27 900, and after
paying the amounts appropriated and ordered,
we have the melancholy fact presented of this
Council in debt So, 967 A." If this charge is
sanderous, the report Of the Financial Commits
tee. published in the City papers, November
9th, 1871, and siignssd by John B. Evans, l. Witt,
and C. T. Cochran, is also "s,,a.oderous, and de-
serves the condemnation of this Council we
earnestly appeal to the Committee to give ere
lief's' charges q thorough examination. Give
the facts. Say whether they are true or false
Be reminded, this is your imperative duty. Evade
it not, then We want apologies and contri
vances to relieve the last Council of the RESPONSE
bilities oftheir own acts For every thoughtful
man has felt the taxes too severe, and which
threaten to be still more oppressive under, las
we think, the unwise legislation of the former
Council. The amount of their appro priations
would surprise those who have not given close
attention to the matter TIE reader will call to
mind that this has really been the 81 bstant1al aim
| of ''Relief,' that the expenditures OF the City
| revenue should be made with economy, to conform;
to the ability Of the masses 10 pay taxes. The
masses cannot bear tax Of 81 10 on the hundred
dollars worth of property, because their means
are too limited, and theft wants too pressing
We expect to investigate the public acts of this
Council as freely as we did the former, rotwith-
ing the sensitive "Seven have issued their pro-
clamation, announcing it to be '.highly improp-
err to criticise the official acts of City Coun-
Gil. Away with such nonsense.
"RELIEr."