Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-09-18

To the Citizens of Prince William County and
State Of Virginia.:
Being impressed with the necessity of some
change 10 the arrangement of our political af:
fairs by which relief may be had from the
enormous weight Of taxation, under which the
State of Virginia is borne down ADD depressed,
We hope We may be pardoned for submitting
our views IN reference to this question, which
81 deeply interests the citiz-us of our State,
We have seen the walls of our court house
whitened by the lists Of Delinquent lands the
owners of which are no longer able to pay their
taxes, and are thus forced out Of their losses
slons at great sacrifice. This We think an
evil which We believe it to be our duty to fud
a remedy for. We have long been panied by
the contemplation of this sad state of affairs,
and are We to endure it longer without au eli
fort to remedy it? No, We think Lot. 1t is
supposed that all wise and judlcious legislation
Will result In the ADVANCEMENT Of h. Interests
OF the people, who must necessarily manage
their affairs BY delegates or deputies. This
bas not been satisfactorily accomplished for Us.
The war has left our State mutllated aud turn,
our citizens euteebed by heavy losses without
the means to rebuild the waste places of our
State or make their lands available to them
| selves With these facts fresh Oh the memory
| our Assembly has failed TO meet our expscta-
tons, and for years we have sustained to our
government much the same relation that
horse or mule does to its owner, pIoddiug on
from day to day aod year to year, getting no
better ourselves, but rather leauer from survi-
| tude. Now what have we TO look for trom
f,rf har I.l, -
others may Think as to ourselves We have 90
nope from any other source than bringing leg
lslatlve action more Immediately uuder the con-
troll of the people by putting each candidate
who may be 10 noml0ation for either house of
| assembly under certain restrictions and oblipa.
| tons, expressed by resolutions, passed in pub.
lie meetings held by the people of every county
throughout the State. We, indeed, pay cur
| selves quite poor compliment 10 say we have
not more of sufficient capacity and patriotism
to meet the emergency that We are at present
under and lead Us measurabIy Qua Of our en-
barrassment. Our present condition demands
the most rigid -ystem Of retrenchment, and our
constitution should be 90 amended rs to admit
| OF Its being carried toto every branch Of State
| government No man at present claiming to
! hold the position of statesman should prefer
his oWn advancement to the general good or
prosperity of the people, [u our approaching
election let US look well to this matter, until
we can tall upon some plan which may be dpti.
nltey understood by the people, who by con-
cert OF action are able to euforcc the measures
herein proposed. Thee let Us come ma otuliy
to the rescue Of the old ship of State ADD keep
her af)at until some tavorhle curreut shall
| bear her through the dark aud gloomy cloud
that now lowers upon her. MOI quite CEN
tury has passed over our republic and blight
has fallen on US, but should we sit dowo in
lngorlous> apathy and give up hope for the
future? No, let US be reused from our inseu
slbllity by the evil which is now upon us, and
guard tor the future every advance which
could lead to disquietuie or dis,rust.
GEORGE w. SEXsMlTH,
| Brentsville, Sept. II 1878