The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1875-03-04
TnE TAX SQUABBLE.
MR.. RAYMOND AGAIN REPLIES.

. RAYMOND, MINI, Feb. 2sth, 1875.
EDITOR JouRNAL.-After reading the in
sulting reply of "Fiddler" to my last com.
munication, l at first thought to pass it by
with contempt. But, on mature reflection,
l concluded to take the advice of the wise
man, and answer fool according to his fol-
iy lest he be wise in his own conceit. If
your readers will take the trouble to review
my first letter they will easily comprehend
that it was simply to call the attention of
taxpayers to SOME wrongs which ought to
be righted, the most prominent being re-
duction Of salaries and decrease of taxes. I
expected to touch some one on the raw
when meutioneda reduction of salaries, but
had no idea that any msn in Stearns coun-
ty was 20 devoid of decency (when matters
of public interest were commented upon) as
to assume a fictitious name, and make cow
ardly thrusts at private matters. He says
he is not public officer. This may be SO,
but from the contents ofhis replies l think
his assertion rather too thin to convince the
public otherwise. If he is not a recipient
Of county money, or has no connection in
its management, why does he concern him.
self so much about that which is evidently
none of his business?
He says he has proven that taxes have
not increased 1900 per cent, but have de-
creased. Here he has undertaken to intro
duce testimony to disprove something that
never was asserted. In my statement in
regard to that amount as increase of taxes l
had reference to my own personally. The
rules Of writing and reading composition
are SO plain and its meaning so easily un-
derstood, that it seems that wayfaring
man though. a Fiddler need not err
therein. In regard to my statement hith-
erto made as being detrimental to the in
terests of the State, &C., l think they will
live throughit, but I can give no positive
encouragement in "Fiddlers" case, for a
subject that slashes round and slops over so
bad there is not room for recovery. Ihave
no idea, either, of leaving the county :;
therefore the mode Of conveyance suggested
by "Fiddler' is so gentlemanly-l like that in
his condition it would suit him; vet I
should regret to Bee the propelling power
used on him, rs it necessarily would come
in contact with the abiding place of his in
tellect.
In calling the attention of the people to-
oppressive taxes and large salaries, I have
made no alluaion to the honesty or dishon-
esty of any official, for believe that what
ever emolument the law gives them right
fully belongs to them, but have said, and
say now, that some are getting more than
their services are worth.
Fiddler" has not only taken the State,
county, towns, &C., under his wings, but he
has also tried to hover the Grand Jury.
Now, I apprehend that he has Grand Jury
on the brain, or he would not have brought
them to notice, for in my previous commune
cations no mention or thought was made
derogatory to them, and if there had been
I am confident they are able to defend
themselves without any gratuitous help
from him.
The whole drift and tone of his last
reply has no more to do in regard to our
previous writing than would a treatise on
the infallibility of the Pope, or disserta-
ton on the New England Catechism. He
further says his taxes have decreased.
have not the least doubt of it, for am sat-
isfed that he belongs to that class that have
the misfortune to be very much reduced in
circumstances financially when the Assessor
comes on his annual visit, and as conse-
quence light taxes would be the result.
am griexed to learn from his statement
that he has never drawn spoonful of pap
from the county. Now, this is the height
of ingratitude on the part of the county. A
sentinel who watches the interests of the
county so faithfully should not be com.
PEELED to walk the dreary rounds, ever
ready to sound the tocsin of alarm, without
some permanent hope in the future Of
getting his reward. Now, a. an act OF
gratitude on my part for his disinterested
services in the matter of controversy be-
tween Us, l would suggest that \ sufficient
sum be set apart from the county funds to
engrave an epitaph, with the solemn lines
which Lord Byron drew up in memory Of
Castlereagh, with appropriate alterations,
so that as he passes down the decline OF
life he can look forward with chserfulness
to that spot which naturally will arrest the
attention of posterity. Finally, as fitting
place to erect that marble slab, the poet
has described it in the following beautiful
lines:
bury our Fiddler" out in the woods
In beautiful hole in the ground
Where the bumble-beesbuzz, and the woods
peckers sing,
And the straddle bugs tumble around.
Yours,