Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-04-21

ONE MONIds ..s..ss.. -
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without the money, and all names taken
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Postage paid by the proprietors.
THE MEETING 81 TURDAY
The Conservative meeting, Saturday,
for consultation regarding the propriety of
nominating ticket for the municipal Of
fees, was one of the happiest events of the
past four years. 1t exceeded in numbers
any that has assembled in StauntOn for a
long time, coming within twenty-five of
having as many Conservative voters present
as were at both primary meetings in the
Legislative election last fall. The floor of
the room was filled, and there were even
Conservative voters in the gallery. The
spirit of the assemblage was excellent, and
than it's conduct nothing could have been
fairer. The opinions of all on both sides
were heard respectfully, and at as great
length as the speakers chose to express
them. And when the vote came to be
taken, which should decide the question
of party ticket, the chairman, Mr.. CHAs.
GRATTAN, though in sympathy with that
method of conducting the city campaign,
as were two thirds of those present, waived
viva voce vote, which was urged by some
of our friends, and put the election by
personal vote, about the result OF which
there could be no doubt, and no after COM
plants of unfairness. Our friends who
thought it inexpedient to make a party
question of the election were fully repre-
sented by men worthy Of the respect with
which they were heard. There were Col.
MIG. HARTMAN, Judge J. H. McCUE, Capt.
J. c. MARQUIS, and Messrs. W. J. NELSON
and GEO. NJ. HARRISON, whose opinions
were listened to as they deserved-respect-
fully, and received due consideration. That
two-thirds of the meeting differed with
them, as the vote proved, was no reflection
on them, bat merely showed that others,
and very large number of others, held a
different opinion. The spirit of the meet
ing was excellent, and no one could listen
to the hearty applause that greeted the
admirable speech of Col. JAS. II. SKINNER,
without feeling that the good old times
had come again, and that it was the
prologue to final victory.
And now that the campaign is Inaugural
ted let every Conservative, no matter what
may have been his opinions, and whatmay
still be his personal preferences, put all be-
hind him and join heartily in the work of
carrying the city for the people who pay
it's taxes. Our personal preferences can
all find full and free expression at the. prl-
mary election, and between now and then
there is plenty of time for us to express
and win converts to them, but when the
ticket is announced let us form-to use the
apt descriptive term of Col. SKINNER, Sat
urday, Conservative brotherhood sink
ing all individual feeling in the common
cause.
For it is a cause calling for some sacri-
flee. This movement to regain the control
Of the city has not been undertaken with
out elaboration, nor without provocation.
The loose organization of the party has al
lowed many splotches on its escutcheon,
and some grave stains. We have, for in
stance, drifted into personal government,
which lis most strikingly evinced in the
present campaign. What, for instance. do
you suppose makes Councilman cling so
desperately to seat that has much trouble
and not dollar of salary attached to it,,
except desire for power? What do you
suppose could induce Conservative Coun-
cilmen to put at the head of the city gov
ernmentsa man Numerically opposed 10 a
majority of its members in politics, ex-
cept feeling that they have the po,cer, and
can safely perpetrate such violations of the
sentiments of the people? What do yon
suppose would induce men to vote away tie
city's money recklessly, and not from their
own pocket by their votes, except that they
feel independent of the support of the Con-
seryatives, who are the real tax payers Of
the city? This desire for power; its pos
session, and immunity from being called to
account for its exercise, would demoralizs
any legislative body on earth, aad has done
it's work to demoralize our Council. HUI
man nature, whether in the humble seat
of Councilman or in an office of higher
responsibility, is the same in all. Uncheck-
ed by accountability it soon runs to riot.
The Conservatives of Staunton desire to
establish again that responsibility so long
relaxed. They have seen in our broken
streets; in our uncollected taxes; in our
wasted finances; in our bonds hawked
about for market, and in general loose
ness in the city government, the want Of
it-nay, the vital necessity
The city of Richmond, for its popula-
ton, is not as thrifty and active corpora
ton as Stanton, and yet her eight per
cent. bonds sell at one hundred and twelve
cents-t,celue cents above par, while the
city of Staunton eight per cent. bonds sell
at ninety-fve cents-seuenteen cents belo,o
them and our bonds are secured by mort
gage on our property, while those Of Rich
mond are not. This is one of the public
facts which exist against our credit in the
money market Of the world. What CON-
pliment to the financial management of the
city. But if this is mentioned the COM
plainant is met by howl Of rage. Now,
where does that howl come from? From
the taxpayers who suffer? They do not
object to your stating the fact that they
are over-taXed by bad management; they
want to know the extent to which it has
been done; they want to know remedy,
and they are anxious to see some way out
Of it. But the office-holders cling to their
offices, and, kicking out viciously, swear
that they are being called those Radicals"
that they are held up to the community as
Radicals; that "ring" has been formed
against them. The time for the people to
have their ears stopped with that sort of