The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-05-04
How i. Works.

pair the credit OF the corporation. and tlefame
the character OF the gentlemen who constitute,
the City Councis, but aims to take the support
from capable officers who have served the pub
lie faithfully and efficiently in the positions
they hold.
James Z. Patterson, the city clerk, has dis
charged the duties OF that office for thirty
years. He has grown old and gray in the la
bors OF the position. and could not, were lie
deprived of his Office turn his hand to otHer
employment, at his time of life. He, however,
does not think it wise, or for the best interest
Of the city, to place himself under the leading
strings of the few selfish agtators. and follow
them in their warfare upon the City Council
and the city's credit, into the primary slaugh-
ter house. The people have, heretofore, sgni
fed their confidence in his capacity, and he
has, to the best of his ability, endeavofed to
serve them, and it is to them he is willing to
submit his claims for continuance in the posi-
ton lie has so long and So faithfully filled
But this does not answer the purpose of tho
ring managers. They have notified him that
If he refuses to do as they order he is to fall a
@ictiE to their rule or ruin policy, and no
consideration Of justice, of kindness or pro-
priety can save to him the means of living in
bis old age, If they can prevent it. II is their
purpose to strike him down, and leave HIM to
the mercy of chance i'll the few years that NAV
remain to him.
They have likewise notified Geo. H. Hudson,
the efficient Commissioner of the Revenue,
who hobbies about on his crutclles, because of
his gallantry in war, that lie too must prepare
to give up the emoluments of his Office, If he
will not subordinate his Judgment and sense of
right to the dietation of the reckless dcma-
gogues who have inaugurated this crusade
against the reputation of the city and its
officers.
The City Treasurer, Mr. Heber Kerr is an
other proposed victim to the nsatate rapacity
OF these voracous reformers-a gentleman who
has not Il superior anywhere for the position
he holds-recognized as eminently qualified,
prompt, accommodating and accurate; yet lie
will have to ''step down and out" il the will of
the curb-stone demagogucs is to prevail. Mr..
Ker resigned comfortable position to accept
the office OF Treasurer, when there was II va
cancy. lie has faithfully and efficiently dis
charged all the requirements of the office. is a
poor man, with large family dependent upon
him. But this avails nothing, if he refuses to
| submit himself to the arbitrary ruling of the
few ring managers. This he has done, and
proposes to leave it to the people to determine
whether it is their will that he shall pslcate the
office.
These gentlemen are all Conservatives
Ihey have always acted with their party,
when party issues were recognized as proper,
| and expect still to cooperate with it on all
1 proper occasions, but do not sanction the ne
cessity OF the primary election, nor are they
willing to surrender their rights of citizenship
to gratify the petty schemes and selfish ends
OF the prime movers in this harmfu. and dis
graceful procedure.
| And for this cause it is proposed BY the mad
spirit OF partizan fanaticsm which control s
the rings, to thrust these gentlemen out of
Office. fortunately the people have the pow er
OF protest. The determination of the caucus
primary will not express the voice OF the peo-
pie, antsthe sense Of right and Justice which
has ways controlled the voters Of Staunton
and Augusta county, when aroused to the
Importance of an election, will indicate the
WISDOM OF these public officers III appealing to
them for verdict. The people are tired and
disguised with rng management. They gave
Indication OF this last fall, and will do it again
on the 25th OF the present month.
''But one Of the ten, Mr. John B. Evans. has
declined so far -Viudicotoy.
This statement is made in reference to the
Ward Central Committees. tits about as near
the truth as the indicator is capable of sta
ting, where it conflicts with its ends Mr.. w,
J. Nelson positively declined, before the Com
Inlttecs met, and as soon as he learned that he
had been appointed. At the first meeting Mr..
j. L. Byers was not present, and we had been
informed that Mr.. j. 3. Scherer was not. We
nave since learned that Mr.. Scherer was pres
emf. by the most persistent coaxing Mr.. By
ers' protest to his appointment was overcome
anu he attended the second meeting. He had
not consented to serve'' at the first lneetinv
and Messrs. Evans and Nelson positively reft1-
sed to serve at any time. Judge j. Ii. McCue
was not present at the first meeting, as we
have been informed. So there were four alb
sentees at the first meeting, two Of whom had
positively refused to act, and the other two had
not sIsnlfied their purpose to accept.
-~
! The economists who propose to effect won
uerfui reforms in the city government, vhen
they, get the power (9 would confer favor
upon the people by informing them where
they expect to commence in reducing the ex.
penditurcs;
/ Do they propose to repudiatc the interest ON
the city debt?
Do they propose to repudiate the interest on
the Railroad debt?
Do they propose to repudiate the interest on
the wafer bonds?
Do they propose to prohibit any expenditure
for the improvement of the streets and side
walks?
DO they propose to withhold the necessary
operations to carry OH our city free schools.
and enlarge their usefulness?
1t is to meet these objects that the estimated
resources for ls76-'77 have been appropriated.
winch Will they dispense with?
The editor of the Ysndtcator is in error in
stating that the editor of the Spectator voted
AT The meeting to make it 1.-THE muniei,,al
electlOn1 q DartV OunStion apI ,,.o, ,,+ - a.,