The Asheville citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1885-1889, 1886-01-29
IFor the AshevlIle CITIZEN.
RESPONSE TO TAXPAYER. "
AsHEH1LIE. N. G. Ian. 2s. 1885,

AsHEvILLE, N. c., Jan. 2S, 1856.
Editors Citizen This morning in look
ing over the Adrance, was greatly sur
prised on reading an article entitled ga
Word to our City Fathers" The bold
ness and originality of Offering advice to
'tour city fathers" is something that is
bound to command the esteem and res
pect of his fellow citizen. We should
not, however, allow this to detract our
attention from its other merits. The
main feature in his article think is the
refreshing verdancy, the childlike sim
plicity of the article. To quote from an
esteemed friend IN this line of literature
he has reached "the green sward on the
acme of the cupola." The simplicity of
the article is SO striking that on coming
to his signature of TAX Payer" could
not help but wonder if he had ever paid
any tax on school books. Now, my
friend, talking of your signature | do
think that you are just a little egotistical
in signing yourself "Tax Payer" This
nom de plume by common. consent is the
private property of Economist his
taxes being so vast that the tax collector
after a years work has not yet collected
them. Why not sign like this (his <
mark). This signature will affiliate with
your style of writing.
Another striking feature of your article
is the ease with which it can be made to
fit either side of the great political dis
cussion of the day. Now am willing to
admit that as "word to our city fathers"
it is excellent, but think that it would
gain the most laurels as an argument
either pro or con on the high tariff issue,
the civil service reform or in fact any
thing else. After Congress has adjourn
ed you can then use it as lecture on
temperance or any other subject that
struck your fancy. If you don't like to
travel don't let this deter you. Deliver it
in town and you will be surprised how
quick you will cultivate taste for travel.
he energy with which you will strike a
bee-line for some other place will be no
less qualification to your friends than a
are satisfied with lau1els already won,
why not get the town to lay pipe from
the reservoir to the Smiths bridge, and
give you and Economist the job of btoaO
ing the water up town. AS either one
of you are perfectly capable of perform
ing the job alone. Economist could do
the blowing while you run the town, and
you could DO the work while ne was
figuring" in the sand to find out if he
owned $1,000 worth of property and the
tax was ninety cents, (which he had
never paid, ,?)and the town authorities
threw away $4,000 every year. How
much of his money was thrown away?
This is only offered as suggestion /
notice that with a modesty that does
you credit that you say that "a gentle
man of extensive travel and information,
informs you &C., &c. Now Mr.. Tax payer
you can't hide your light under bushel.
I am the only gentleman of that descrip-
ton in town, and | must decline to ac-
knowledge being the originator of the
ideas put into such lovely language by
you. To your brilliant intellect and
to you alone does the honor belong. You
have, however, made a few mistakes to
which would like to call your atten-
ton. You seem to think that the S., 600
that the town is thinking of investing
in Electric Light, includes the purchase
of the machinery, the Standard Oil Co.,
the r & d Syndicate and few other
triaes. There you are miataken. The
| S., 900 is only an annual rental TOR The
li17ts. Then you say do away with the
bonded debt and make the French Broad
do the work Now the Electric Light
Machine, &c. will cost.$25, 900. Dam
pump, water main, ETC., $4,000. Will
Tax Payer tell me where this money is
to come from Possibly out OF his
/ taxes.
"A GENTLEMAN OF Extensive TRAVEL
AND INFoRMATIoK.
l.