Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1882-03-11
Changing the Charter.
Eds. Independent.

Changing the charter of town il
matter that should receive more
earnest consideration than most per
sons imagine. 1t may happen, when
done without proper consideration
To be all right, but it is just as likely
To be all wrong.
Petitions were circulated last week
and largely signed by the leading
tax payers of the CORPORATION, asking
the legislature TO amend Mr.. Evans
bill so rs to require the payment of
the ST. head tax rs Il pre- requisite tn
voting for corporation officers. This
was IA move in the right direction,
and indicated that the matter had
brgun to arouse some interest and
consideration OF those earnestly IN
terested in the welfare aud prosperity
of HE town.
The charter as it now stands has
the effect to keep the largest tax
payers from voting, and ought to be-
changed, but Mr. Evans bill goes
too far. | hold that every man who
enjoys the protection of the corpora
ton, and desires to have a voice in
the election of its officers aud its
management, ought to contribute
his share toward its support. There
is nothing unfair or unjust in this.
Mr.. Evans bill would in effect give
every body voice in the manage
ment of the affairs of the corpora
ton, and at the same time deprive
the corporation of between $500 and
$500 annual revenue which 1t would
otherwise receive. The proposed
amendment to his amendment will
remedy the evils complained of, and
at the same time saw. the Corpora.
tion the $500 or $500 which would
be lost by his amendment. But
some one urges the objection that to
require the payment of head tax as
a prerequisite is antagonistic to the
genius of Rppublicanism Bosh! 1t
might as we'll be urged that it is an
tag0nistic to the spirit of liberty to
make a man pay bis honest debts.
In the State of Pennsylvania every
man is required to pay his entire
State and county taxes before he can
vote. The law is popular over there
and the demagOgue can make no
capital out of it.
Let it be borne in mind, also, that
every head of family, no matter
how poor, with little personality in
the shape OF furniture. has TO pay
this ST. head tax whether he votes or
MT, because the Sergeant whenever
there is any property to be found
will collect it. But under the Evans
amendment the single man, though
better able to pay than some poor
men with families To support, can
vote and not pay his ST. head AK.
unless he chooses, because it c..uDOt
be collected So that the change
would not only lose several hundred
dollars to the corporation revenue.
but work itsgreatest iuj Justice to the
poor men with families. If five or
six hundred dollars are lost To the
Corporation 10y the non payment OF
head tax hy the single mrn who nwr
heavier on those VINO have To pay.
| feel sure MIR. Evans is not aclu
ated by any improper motives in thu
matter, but he has failed to study
THE full extent of his amendment.
If he puts it on the ground o'
abridgment OF the rights eff cltlZ-n>
TO require payment of taxes before
voting, why did he not amend tina
other, on the same principle, still
more Objectionable clause of thu
charter which has a property quaIifi-
cation tor holding corporation offices
Under that clause of the charter, no
man who is not the owner of real
estate in the corporation can be
either Mayor or Councilman. Under
the present charter no poor man who
does not own real estate can huli an
elective Office in the corporation, land
yet we hear great cry about the
abridgment of inherent rights he
cause all who desire to vote for off
GERS of the corporation are required
to pay something towards Keeping
up expenses. If young man wants
to have vote in the election of cor
pOration officers, and DON'T care to
pay ST. for the privileges and pro-
lection he enjoys, let him join the
Fire Company, aud render service
there, and that will entltle hun To
vote without the payment of head
tax. But he ought to do one or the
other, in justice to those who are
compelled to pay whether they vote
or not. EQUITY.