Arizona weekly enterprise., 1890-02-15
QUARTZBURG.
HE PAYS HIS RESPECTS TO VARIOUS
 WEAKNESSES.
Dull Times in Tombstone-Active Work Wanted---MOralizes Somewhat Remarks Upon the Heavy
 Taxation.
TOMBSTONE, February 4, 1890.


 Taxation.
 TOMBSTONE, February 4, 1890
 EDITOR ENTERPRISE :-The prospect here is still worse Very few mines are being worked at all, and these few in desultory manner. Times are getting worse and our only hope lies in the possible action of the present Congress in relation to silver.
 The grippe has been pretty prevail ent here and several have died-eight in the past ten days-besides the mur- der of Al. Richards in this town, on Friday night, while asleep in his bed. No certain clue to the perpetrator of the crime has yet been found, but sus- picion is rife and the murderer may yet be discovered
 The weather is, and has been for the past ten days, delightful
 We expect Judge Sloan here to hold court on the 10th inst.
 It is generally believed here that the owners of the principal mines are about to make an arrangement for the working of the mines below water lev el, and the increase in the price of sil yer gives color to the opinion. And let me say here that it appears to man up tree unaccountable, that nation as great as the United States should take the principal part in de- preeiating its own product, as we have done since 1873-unless it be owing to that eternal struggle of the few to make the many labor for their enjoy ment.
 l see by your issue of January 25th that Governor Stafford takes about the same views of the politics of this terri tory as MT. Samuel Hughes and Quartzburg. I have a mere speaking acquaintance with these gentlemen, and don't pretend to know whether they are good or bad, popular or other wise, nor whether Governor Stafford resides in Arizona or the Sandwich Islands; nor do think it at all to the point to inquire into these things But I have always noticed that when of informing the people of the mis- deeds of their so-called servants, but real masters, the select and respect able body of tax-eaters will immediate ly commence the business of villifying him; raking up his record-here and elsewhere-and, as no one is perfect, they generally find or forge enough of his history and character to prove him more dishonest and less trust worthy then they are, or, failing in that, they cast ridioule upon him; ad- init his honesty, etc., but assert that he Is crank; impractical a theorist, and they will even attempt to prove these things by showing that he failed to gather plunder even when he safely could have done so, and kept out of jail. And whether they use libel or ridicule, they are generally shameful, for if there be one newspaper to favor the reforming crank, there are certain ly three, perhaps six, to take the side of the tax-eaters for the plain reason that they can afford to pay for such services, and even when they do not, the hope of sharing in future plunder will generally prevail, for, though news
 
 run them are, and want support. And the people generally go with the side that appears the strongest And he must indeed be brave man who will continue to write, speak and act in the interests of the people against the torrent of villilication or ridicule, or both, which will usually be brought to bear against him.
 But l intend, if find space in your paper, to continue the subject and, ir- respective of party or other consider ations I will discuss these questions: lst, are the people of this territory overtaxed? And are these taxes used to bribe away their rights at elections in the legislature and elsewheref And to begin let us look at the decision of Judge Kibbey, published in your issue of February 1st, on act No, h of the last legislature Now 1 do not pre- tend to criticise the judges decision i; i it may be, and doubtless is the true interpretation of the law from a legal standpoint; but why was the law pass ed? who did It, and what was its nov ing cause? Before that time the boards of supervisors of the various counties were allowed $5 per day and 20 cents per mile for travelling, but not to exceed $350 per year for the per diem of each. This allowed an average of 60 days per year-far more than sufficient time to transact the business of any county in the territory. Then what could be the reason for making this law, unless the colored gentleman was in the wood pile? Now the business of supervisor is a good and very profitable trade, particularly in counties of the first class, for the board or any two members of 1t, can make business for 9 session on any and every pretext-a petition 10 ap- point constable, a justice of the peace or road overseer, is good cause for a special session, and if any one presents bill for $2, more or less, a special session may he called and bill allowed at further cost to the county of at least $15 or $20 and the only limit to this is the number oi days in the year, But t may he said supervisors will not be such swindlers Perhaps not, for every $2 bill, but more or less they will at least in some counties do it, if experience be any teacher, and l think it is.
 Yours,
 QUARTZBURG.