The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-05-05
A Gard.

To THE VOTERS OF NORTH RIVER DISTRICT
In reply to solicitations both public and private
from my numerous friends In the District, In refer
ence to the ONCE Of Supervisor, which have had
the honor to hold, with the exception of short in
terval since the existence OF the present county
ganization, may be pardoned for giving brief
synopsis Of those public acts which appear to be
most prominet and Objectionable And here let me
EXPRESS the qualification feel that my official acts
have in the main, have reason to believe, proven
satisfactory to my constituents. The record will
vindicate the wisdom of my actions. That those
who have not had an opportunity of examining the
record may know the facts, the following statement
is made:-
$1,000 to the Baldwin A. G. Fair Grounds 1t is well
known the corporators, we'll others connect
ed with the Fair Grounds, that msmanagement in
theearly administration OF its finances caused q
heavy debt to accumulate, which the proceeds Of
the grounds were insufficient to nquidate. Hence
the necessity of the present very efficient directory
asking a donation from the county to save the
grounds from sacrifice by forced sale. OF course
an organization bearing the revered. and popular
name Of Its founder was not wanting In advocates,
and, perhaps, for the first time difference
of opinion among the members OF the Board Of Su-
pervisors, which continued to diverge until vote
was taken The result was tie and as the previous
history of this society had been defective in its
naanG,a, MISUNDERSTANDING anu corOorator and
friend Of the Fair. did not think 1t within my
prerogative, or duty as representative Of the peo
pie, to donate means belonging to those who might
not choose to patronize such society either for
pleasure or profit. In order to prevent the case
from passing to court OF higher authority, which
might act adversely to our Wishes l proposed a
compromise by Offering a loan of the amount above
named. An Understanding bond, secured by un-
the property Of the county. We think this amount
has been saved to the county by the friends of the
compromise, and this, in our mind, had two-fold
object In view; LIST, to make not only safe, but
paying Investment rather than gift; and End,
the county to become the purchaser in the event OF
forced sale at sacrifice. AS the county could
not under the constitution, real estate outside
of the actual necessary county buildings, we OBJ
tanned through the influence Of the late Hon. D.
Lear. act of the I0pfalaturA. authOr-
izing the county, through an agent of its own ap-
pointment to purchase the Fair Grounds, should
they be sold at sacrifice.
The next matter to which shall refer Is the In
creased pay Of the present high sheriff. AS the
the Office had been sought and the emoluments con-
sidered ample by all the incumbents Of the office
previous to this tme voted against any increased
compensation, as felt sure my constituents would
feel outraged at the idea Of paying an additional
tribute of one hundred and fifty dollars annually
to an Office which had hitherto been selfsusfaining
The next and last complaint to which shall an
swer is the Courthouse fence. AS this is subject
upon which much comment has been INDUCED, l
shall only say that considered 1t an unnecessary
Expense, and voted against 1t. believed That nad
the public grounds been highly ornamented with
grass plots, fountains, broad gravel walks, and
commodious seats, the public interest and comfort
would have been greatly enhanced, and at saving
of several hundred dollars. This was the colncid-
ing opinion Of quite number OF representative
men from various parts OF the county, as well as
the example of other cities. However, as those
members who acted adversely have shown much
wisdom and financial ability In the management OF
subjects Of public policy, may possibly Dc IN
error.
am aware that am called penurious in the ex-
penditure of public funds by some persons II any
apology Is needed for this, 1t Is owing TO the lact
that was raised to use economy. Belonging TO the
laboring class, sympathizing with the common
people being one Of them Ihave thought, especially
since the downfall of the Old Dominion much about
those hackneyed phrases of retrenchment ana re-
form not only in State but in county organizations
Under our present constitution, think our repre-
sentative bodies entirely out OF proportion 70 the
magnitude Of the work to be done, and whilst we
would. with nruc anDrOaCh that pOl1t1
cal fabric reared by predecessors ana u IS Ger
tainly much easier to talk reform than to bring II
about, yet we can good reason why we snoulo
have an election every year. and often twice year
and often twice year. at cost OF from &50O 70 $6U
iha oc lor county our ysars from the
Governor down? We can scarcely CONCEIVE o.
the pleasure, to say nothing OF the profit arising
from such change allaying the excitement pre1u
dice, and unpleasant feelings between neighDors
and friends, abating that political excitement IL
which the people have so much delighted to indulge
word In reference to common schools, subject
perhaps, of more vital magnitude than any we nave
yet approached. The active period which haf
fury, has been distinguished by nothing more than
by the enlargement of our ordinary Ideas with re
specs 70 edueaon ana ye. We aho Al WE an
deayor to make the nearest approach to correc
system Of mental training. But to anaiyse IN
present method training the faculties for though
and action, which 1t is the business OF the educa
tor to awaken, is no part OF my intention now HAY
IRON negh scools their snc
cess, individuality has been subject of secondar!
consideration, yet have favored an approach to
maximum levy, believing in the greatest GOOD z
| the greatest number, and willing to make fall
trial of the system with all Its imperfections.
Now, with these explanations, leave the whole
belongs to Them I have never been candidate
for any ofce; have accepted and served to the hes
of my ability when elected; VIII 90 so again II 1t Il
their pleasure to elect. not will be entirely salts
fed. am yours, very truly,
SAMUEL A. EAST,
1t Long Glade. Augusta Co.. Va.