Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1882-01-28
HOUSE BILL NO. 1924.

This is an amendment of section
first of the charter of the corpora
ton of Martinsburg, offered by Mr..
Evans, and proposes to strike from
section first of said charter the
words "and who shall have paid the
corporation taxes assessed upon
them for that year." The original
intention of this restriction was
doubtless an inducement for the
prompter payment of the corporation
taxes, yet it has not only utterly
failed in it's purpose, but become a
corrupt power by which men secured
themselves Office through the votes
of those who never of themselves
even paid the small amount of regis
tration tax, while it debarred men of
means from their rights, because at
the time of the municipal election it
may not have been convenient for
them to pay the amount of taxes
against them. Neither could these
Office-Seekers have been convicted of
violation of the election laws, for
they did not directly buy votes, but
indirectly paid for the dollar-tax
payers vote by paying his taxes, and
the number of such taxpayers is not
inconsiderable, thus giving them the
power of deciding who should man
age the city affairs, while the minor
ity who pay the taxes had nothing
to say. And here is where the great
power of the sergeant was abused /;
men property holders) presented
their votes which were rejected be-
cause of non-payment of taxes; they
could not get the money, the candi-
date did not feel like running the
risk, but he secured from the ser
geant a certificate instead of re-
ceipt; the man voted for that can
didate, he has his certificate yet. and
the taxes are still unpaid. But to go
deeper yet into the cOnnivance by
which men obtained power through
this section of the suffrage qualifi-
cations: The sergeant has the ar
rangement of the delinquent tax list
entirely in his hands, gives his
securities for the amount of tax as
sessed, and no one has any right to
ask further until he fails to report.
Meanwhile, the election comes on /;
he may wish to be re-appointed, or
he may have friends DESTROYS of
office; the names of those who are in
favor of such candidates may not be
entered on the delinquent list, while
if there are any delinquents opposed
to him, it is not likely that their
names will not appear in characters
as conspicuous as John Hancock g
signature to the Declaration of In
dependence.
AT the last meeting of the City
Council, on motion, the Senators and
Delegates were requested to oppose
the bill in question, in regard to
which the statesman precisely ex-
expresses our views when it's saws
sour delegate, Mr.. Evans, is a
citizen OF this town, well posted as to
it's needs, and perfectly well ac-
quainted with the manner in which
orr corporation affairs have been
conducted. He is therefore, both as
citizen and representative, well
qualified to suggest such amend
ments as will prove beneficial to our
town government, nor is he under
any special obligations to be instruc-
ted by resolutions passed by the
City Council any more than he would
by any other ten citizens of the town.
Instructions to legislate are not
among charter privileges, and are
unbecoming. to say the least