The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-05-09
City Election.

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Staunton are opposed to the party machinery
SO unnecessarily invoked by what is called
the ''Commistee' of the Conservative party,
to determine the selection of City Council
men and officers. They are very positive in
their declarations that there is no necessity
or excuse for such procedure, and that the
public welfare demands the services OF our
best and most experienced men, without re-
gard to the peculiar notions of few selfish
ly ambitious politicians. 1t is not for any
public good that primary election has been
determined upon, nor with reference to any
public interest of genera. application that
may be involved. 1t is the result purely of
partizan intolerance, and the baneful spirit
of faction, that regards everything subordi-
nate to the small ambitions of very small
and abbreviated politicians. The introduce
ton of this factious spirit into the legislation
OF the city has already accomplished enough
OF harm to warn the people against its con-
tinuance, and to guard them against repe-
tition of the policy that brings results so
harmful to the general good. We have in
terests at stake now which require the best
Judgment OF our very best and most expe-
rienced citizens to conserve. Our financial
condition is such as to require careful man
agement, and the studied service of men
acquainted with that interest, and whose
ability and unselfishness are absolutely es-
sential for the city's welfare. Our public
schools are upon the very verge of suspen-
sion for want of the necessary means to run
them the ordinary length Of time, and pre-
vent between 700 and 1000 children from
being deprived Of the instruction so essen
tial for all the interests OF community.
These two facts should be considered as in
finitely above any partizan device, or the
splenetic zeal of disappointed polit icians.
The growth and prosperity Of Staunl on, the
maintainance Of tile high character the city
now bears, and the healthy enlargement of
that spirit Of public pride and ambition
which has given us our enviabe reputation
and attracted the admiration OF strangers,
imperatively demand that the narrow, SPITE
full selfishness, which is at the bot of the
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ness men are noted for their broad views
and liberal policy, their enterprise and COM
prehension, and it is to the high aim that in
spires them as citizens that is due our pres
ent gratifying relations to the public at
large. Nine out Of every ten.- yes, nineteen
out of every twenty,-of the substantial tax
paying citizens have their Judgment ar
rayed against the petty schemes now on
foot, and if asked for an opinion would un-
reseryedly give il adversely to the pro
gramme laid out by the 'sCommittee. - It is
monstI Gus to suppose that two or three par
tizan agitators- and there are only two or
three moving spirits in it-should presume
to dictate to the whole people Of Staunton
what they should do and how they should do
it, and to lay down a line of policy for them
to pursue whether it is in accordance with
their sense Of. right and propriety or not.
1t is an insult to the intelligence and man
hood Of every citizen of the corporation, and
should be resented as such. There is, no
possible reason, founded in the interest OF
the city, to Justify the liberation of such
petty despotism, nor is there any excuse for
it that finds its source in the promotion OF
the public good. 1t is the pure and simple
partizan selishness of those who recognize
their own weakness before the people, and
seek to avail themselves of party machinery
to accomplish that which their own infu
ence could not encompass-the defeat of
men who do not and will not recognize that
kind Of mastery, but whose labors in the in
terests of the city have been self-sacrifcing
unselfish and eminently successful.
The people, we should think, have had
enough of this kind of tyranny. They are
now, all over this State, feeling its baneful
and oppressive effects, and to revive it here,
where every substantial interest Of the COM
munity protests it, would be the sheerest
madness.
AS we have stated, there are paramount
interests to be considered, in which all
should feel concerned, and it will be well
enough in determining who shall administer
the Offices of the city for the next two years,
that men should be selected with reference
to the management of our finances, and
their views as to the public schools. These
two vital questions come directly home to
the people-they are the foundation stones Of
Staunton's future growth and progress, and
must mould our public character and repu-
tation. ........
We care nothing about the election ex-
cept as citizen of Staunton, and have no
personal objects save as they are identified
with the interests of the city. We have
deemed it proper, simply as citizen, labor
| ing for the welfare Of OUR enterprising and
public spirited city, and willing to serve her
through these columns to the best Of our
ability and Judgment, to give publicity to
these views, satisfied that they reflect the |
sentiments Of nine-tenths Of the tax-paying
population. We have 70 interest to con-
suit that is not common to every other citi- |
zen and no other motive than to stimulate |
public thought upon matter that involves,
in our opinion, much OF the future prosper |
ity of Stanton. If the narrow partizan
policy which has been suggested is to be
carried out, we must expect that liberal
minds will keep aloof from it, and the city
loose the services of those who at this par
ticular time she should have in her councils.
They disapprove of the partizan machinery
proposed to be introduced, will not counte-
nance it and if the question of their service
to the city has to be decided in contention
and strife they will have none Of it. The
interests, of the people are thus arrayed
against the plots and schemes of the few
politicians, and it is for the people to decide
which shall rule and govern the affairs of
the corporation.
Since writing the above we notice that
Isaac Witt and John W. Abby, two of the
most efficient and public-spirited Of the pres
ent Council, have positively refused the
use of their names in the coming election, {
and declare they will not serve if elected. !
A. II. Fultz, President Of the Council, an !
other very useful and capable Councilman,
has also declined the use of his name for re- Y
election. w. j. Nelson, who in times past '