Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1882-04-08
FLOR THE HERALD.

-HiTs ISulCOT - "A cerLttlil y ldApaye ct
in last weeks 25th ult.) issue OF the
Independent seems disposed to take
you severely to task for your open talk
| in Corporation matters, charging you
with "ignorance or Spleen in the
statements which you make-that
they are unqualifiedly false and to the
serious injury Of the town, and are
therefore such one as those who have
the real interests Of the town at heart
would care little to have in their
midst.
Let us see. You speak of battered
lamp-posts, break-neck pavements,
pasture ground for hogs and cattle, &c.
A Taxpayer says, "Think of it prop
erty owners, you who are interested
in having your town appear in its
true light abroad.' Should he not
rather have plead with those who
would try to deceive the world abroad,
by representing things in a false light.
For is it not notorious fact that the
lamp-posts are out of joint and the
lamps give us no light the streets
are very much out of repair-that the
CROSSINGS are more ornamental ca
than useful, ard those lately made on
Main ST., beyond the railroad 1--WE sug-
gest that the Corporation instead CT
paying for them, better sue for dam
ages THAT cattle do run at large and
pasture where ever they can find a
sprig of green,- (if we remember
rightly, the Mayor or Sergeant gave
them some fine cabbages out of their
lot last fall, though quite unWillingly)
that hogs and geese do go about as
they please-that the pavements are
in very bad condition, the good ones
being the exception, and that notice
to repair is seldom heeded-that loaf
ing on the corners is allowed and pre-
walls undisturbed to the great incon-
venience of the citizens and especial
discomfort ofladies, that drunkenness
and carousal meet with the least posi-
BILE restraint and are on the increase
that many town ordinances are disre-
garded with impunity and thatwe are
in danger of going from bad to worse
now these things may look too ugly to
be sent abroad and even for our own
eyes, but because of this shall they be
allowed to pass unnOticed, with no eff
fort to remedy them. No, a good
doctor will probe them to the very
bottom and apply the severest rene
dies, rather than the whole body be
so corrupted that it die. 1t is because
the things exist that there is such Il
loud Cry for " Reform" / do not hest
tate to say that ana satisfied that it
is neither ignorance nor spleen that
induced the editor of THE HERALD to
make the statements that he has
neither to hold us up to ridicule be-
fore the world, nor by them to work
injury to the town which he has made
his home aad in which he is identify
ing his own future. No, it is the peo-
pies murmuring, not grumbling
that he hears and he is with them.
Taxpayer appeals to the verdict of
/" Newspaper mGn." Would any one
for moment suppose hat the news
paper men who happen this Wy ana
are kindly taken in" will on Their
return curse the dark streets and un-
even pavements whilst the taste of the
hospitality of which we have reason
to boast, is still on their lips. Editors
generally are not made of that sort Of
stuff. No, Martinsburg with all thy
faults we love thee still. Her streets,
homes and people are our familiar
friends. But our love does not blind
us to her faults. Norare we too utterly
utter to speak Of them. We have
some little sentiment, but acknowledge
to large share of sterner stuff and so
we are willing some times at least to
work with "de shubble and de no."
and if possible root out the bad that
the good may flourish the more. We
know too something Of the "beauty
and attractiyeness" of the town-its
beautiful location and surro findings
its healthfulness, its good society,
for we have class Of people who will
stand comparison with any other of
its size-its advantages for manufac-
ture as well as for agriculture snd
know that within the past ten years
improvements have been steadily go
ing on, so that we may be proud of
our churches, schools, hotels and other
public and private buildings, but yet
we see the need of a still further stir
ring up and Improvement, and es-
pecially in the morale of the town and
stand ready to do our humble part.
But enough for this time. In the
name of the well-wishers of the town
we urge you on, and subscribe us your
friend, but not of OSCAR WILDE.