Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1882-04-22
Eds. Independent,

Eds. Independent.
Through your kindness am invited
and permitted to make the following
statement: F4 sd
Whilst regret the use of my name
publicly In this particular connection. II
have, NJ the solicitation OF the Ma;of.
freely given ii to the vindieation ds
himself, for the reason that have no pef-
sonal knowledge of any snch outrage
having been committed ''nefere the ewes
of the May or and further, in iussice d,
the editor of the Herald, as he did not then
and does net now hold me in any sense
RESPONSIBLE Tor the charge named in his
editorial. | am not his witness in the
case as touching thai particular.
But whilst IN this particular, IN justice
to the Mayor, J say have no knowledge,
IN justice to the editor Of the Heysid do
say that have personal knowledge and
am willing to testify tina, hogs and cattle
do run at large, and that have been am
noyed and suffered damage because OF ID:
g a, drunkenness and corner loafing IL
freely INDUCED in and because OF II have
been annoyed by the profane and indecent
language OF surh. and have had NV wav
obsiructed to thaextsut that either must
tace 1t or take 10 the street: that bosh by
day and by nighS. when in the street. aud
In my bed, hare been annoyed and dis
turbed by the carousals and brawls of
drunken men, that many of the pavemen n
are in very bad condition, and because
OF II have suffered hurt to my body and
damage to my clothing; that certain uaer-
chants have blocked the pavements with
boxes and other distractions to my very
serious Inconvenience; that whilst by no.
tice served ! have been restrained from
allowing slops and filth TO flow or be
thrown upon the street in front OF my res.
idence, which 10 but light, | am annoyed
by the freedom which in this particular ID
allowed to Others. But enough,
Now il is because of these and ether
such undated nuisances and violations of
the city ordinance that the citizens have
and do still complain, and their cem-
plants have been heard through the COLI
umns OF the Statesmaa and Herald and
are asking for and seeking redress n, +.
This morally unwholesome and MATER
ially disadvantageous condition OF thi, gs
does exist to the very serious bindrance Of
the best interests of the community.
Where does the responsibility for this
rest Since both legislation and execu-
ton have beer committed by the citizena
to the hands OF u chosen few, whatever
defects exist whether in the law itself or
in the proper enforcement of the same.
must lie, mainly, with them as officials of
the town. Is 1t proper legislation which,
is lacking or is II a more thorough and
determined execution of the law, or is it
both these
II the above matters of complaint are
violations of the ordinances as they now
stand, and the Mayor is the duly author
lied official to see that they are enforced
and yet does not, then, to say the least,
there is need of a change in the office Of
Mayor. If bis failure is attributable 10
the inefiiciency of his subordinates, the
sargeant and police, then there is need
Of an immediate change in these Offices.
If such be the case, that the council has
by any OF its acts, rendered powerless the
chief executive so that he is left without
authority to enforce the laws, then ought
their seats be filled by other and better
minded men. No successful financiering
even, may atone for the many wrongs
they have directly or indirectly done
those whom they represent, in dispossess-
ing the Mayor of his rightful authority
and power and making him simply an ir-
responsible fpurehead.
There is wrong somewhere, but |
doubt that simply lighted streets, wheth-
er with coal oil or gas, will enable us to
find it. Light of another kind is needed.
Let the search for knowledge of the truth,
go on with undated zeal and soon we
will know where and how to apply the
remedy. Respectfully,
j. A. HoFFHEIEs.