Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-08-08
COMMUNICATED,


The democratic convention will meet at
the Court House on the 9th Instant for the
purpose Of placing a candidate for the Leg
lalure in the field The most prominent
name now before our people is that of
Alfred Leigh, our present representative.
We have heard that there are few simon
pure democrats in Fairfax who are not in
favor Of sending Mr.. Leigh back to Rich
mond Some of these very men insisted in
1883 that Leigh was the best man we could
nominate against Broadwater; that he was
good democrat, solid business man, and
particularly first. class electioneerer. Mr..
Leigh was nominated and verified in every
particular the statements made above. He
beat Broadwater, the best man The opposi-
ton could ind in the county; he needs no
word from me in proof of this assertion.
Leish's majority in 1883 was the largest by
which any candidate has been elected to
the Legislature from Fairfax for many years.
While in the Legislature, we are informed,
Mr.. Leigh favored bill 10 remove the five
per cent penalty on failure to pay taxes on
or before the 1st day Of December If Nlr.
Leigh did favor such, he acted certainly as
q friend to every poor tax payer in Failtax.
A. is rich man, his taxes amount to 500
IA year. He can, al any time previous to the
1st day Of December, step up 10 Major
Chichester, our county treasurer, and hand
him check or the money, and the Major
gives him his tax receipt. B., poor pan,
large family, poor farm he lives upon, his
taxes amount to $40. He has no check.
book or bank account. When ten dollar
bill comes into bis hands an empty meal
tub appears for replenishmenl; the meat
;Fn NH l.
are destitute Of comfortable clothing,
dozen things are needed, essentials at that.
He wants to pay his taxes, but that SO bill
will keep body and soul together for
month perhaps, and ,. is compelled to let
his taxes run over until the penalty comes
in with its benign ~ influence. Perhaps
B. can borrow Of a friend $40 at per cent,
but not until after the 1st day of December
man the per cent. penalty and BIS.
friend gets per cent. on tho money loaned;
so B. has to pay | l per cent. becau-e he is II
poor unfortunate dog, while Il. saves that
amount because he is n Itch gentleman. a
large majority of the tax payers in Fairfax
are poor men, but honest. The law treats
all men alike, the rich and poor, white and
black, but the poor mans opportunity for
meeting any advantage that the law may
ctfer is limited therefore we are in favor of
a law removing the penalty. IL works in
the interest of the rich man and against the
poor. Place all men upon an equal footing,
and allow the advantages of the law to he
of benefit 10 poor man as well as to rich
gentleman. The passage of such law
would not take any money from the State
only give, perhaps, the tax collectors
little more trouble; but they are paid for
their trouble, and if they object to taking
any more care upon their overwhelmed ~
shoulders, let us look around and see if we
can't find some poor man who can be per-
suaded to take the Office.
Alfred Leigh has always been the friend
of the poor man. He does not care fig
about the 5 per cent. penalty, as he can pay
his taxes at any time. The county of Fair
fax does not get the per cent. penalty it
goes to the State, nor does the collector
lose il. DEMOCRAT.
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va, Aug. 7, 1885.