The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-07-03
IT'S of No Use-virginia interests.

IT'S of No Use-virginia interests.
We see that WILLIAM Wars, ESQ.,, Of
Roanoke, has warned people through the
Baltimore Gazette that he represents certain
taxpayers in Roanoke county who refuse
to be taxed to pay the 100000 alleged to
have been subscribed by that county to the
Valley railroad. Mr.. WATTS states that at
the meeting of the Board of Supervisors
called TO consider this subscription, although
all four Of the supervisors were present, only
two of them voted, whereas the law requires
that a,majority of the board shall vote in
the affirmative upon an appropriation. Mr.
WATTS states that one Of the two members
who approved the subscription gave the
casting vote, notwithstanding it is denied
that the two opposing the subscription voted
at all. This he thinks inValidates the sub
scription.
The case is novel. We suspect the journal
of the proceedings represents all the super
risors as voting, and it will be hard to get
over the record. since If it be erroneous it
should have been corrected at the time. But
the mode of defeating action is at best irregu-
lar, and it will he curious to see what court
of Justice will have to say about it.
If the opposition to paying be intended
a. an obstruction to the Valley road 1t viii
be futile. If it be merely to paying the tax,
il would probably be better for the county
ii it be paid. rs the question is equitably
against the rcc,isant taxpayers.
We would like TO see the Valley road put
off for a few years until we can get a railroad
from Clifton Forge r,a Lynchburg to Rich
mond. We would desire that this were 50
in order TO get the commerce with the West
started in the right line for benetitins the
real interests OF Virginia. But we cannot
hope for this now. The miserable sectional
quarrels of Virginia years ago resulted in
frlttering away her means, while lines allen TO
the building up Of her own commerce and
manufactures were gradually making their
way through her territory to convey her
trade to outside cities and check the growth
of her own. 1t is too late to get the inside
track of these cnrroaching lines. We would
not do 50 by any unfair means, and the mat
ter being settled, it bchoOvcs lis to "accept
the situation land make the best Of it.
If General MALONE, when he was fighting
BISMARCK GARRETT" as he called him. had
turned his energies and sagacity in the dlrec-
lion OF Richmond instead OF putting all his
eggs in the one basket of Il through line
from the Mississippi to New York, he would
81, l,xl ,,.f dor. t,.t
Virginia interests to which he has stead
ilv sworn his unialtcliny devotion. The
fight for those interests has been conducted
under the very great disadvantage OF the
1aralv.is of the main force of the State.
Richmond w;,s so far from the base line tina:
She could not be brought into the action.
Let Us profit by experience and bring her
in as soon us possible. Ii is useless to utter
lamentations over "spilt milk" after the
stv!r nr TIE maid who loved the green dress.
Let II, not he 80 green. But let us, though
lac, repair damages with what CELEBRITY ""
may.
L. S.-The Baltimore Ga-cttc tllrrshcsa;l
the facts in the above ease. Is! Il vote Vt
$50 to 500 the county authorized the Hu1-
scripton. Judge RIurLt, of the county
court, issued an order to the supervisors H.
meet and subscribe not exceeding 10000.
This they did at their second meeting,
Judge EIgpLE giving II cistinS vote because
TWO of the supervisors refused TO vote the
subscription.
"Thcir functions from the first were SIM
yl,. mil
to say whether the subscription should bc
made OF not, The voters of the county bad
already decided that question. All they had
TO do WAS to determine the amount to he
subscribed, net exceeding 100000. They |
agreed that 100000 should be subscribed.
aud when they had appointed agents to make
The subscription and represent the county at
the meetings of the company their work was |
DONE