Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1890-03-13
Letter from Norfolk

Correspondent of the Alexandra GaZette.J
NORFOLK, Va, March ii There seems
to be some sign OF waking from, stupor oi
$50 years in Norfolk just now. But the
councils have so often gaped aud yawned,
as If they were about to wake up, end then
relapsed into profounder stupor than ever,
it would be unwise to huzza yet awhile. 1t
is true they have done good deal of paving
with Belgian blocks. executed good sewer
and fairly good water system, nut the Oh
structioDs to some of the principal streets In
the heart of Inc city yet remain. They are
about to erect special market house on
plat O. ground which can be reached 10
high tide only in boats cr wheel carrisges.
rs pity lis 80, but it s, all the same. The
city fathers have recently been kicked up
by some of the people and exchanges. aud
theY hnVaturned over, yawned, rubbed their
eyes, and really seemed to be about to real
!zs that somebody wanted two banks estab-
lished in the east and west of old Norfolk.
Bu: they have iu ether things so often re
solved, re resolved and disd the same" that
il is feared they will relapse into another
profound stupefsction before they can act
What pity we can't have board of super
yisors, ono from each ward, we'll paid, to
give their whole time 10 municipal affairs!
The meat tax hss greatly exercised our
papers and people. Really, 1t would eeem
that CT ell people in the world our people
ouph: TO care least about i5. We have 30
many, and such variety OF fish, CLAIMS,
crabs, oysters, fowls. and other meats, it is
strange they feel so keenly the one cent tax
per pound on Chicago beef, especially when
it is not half so savory as our own. Your
correspondent can see but one objection to
this tax, and that is the same that applies
TO the tariff tax on the necessaries Of life.
Apart from the principle, above alluded to,
he can see no objection to it. 1t is patent
that almost everything the farmer buys is
taxed for the benefit Of other people, and
why such complaint should be msde by
town people, when he Graves a slight pre-
lection, is remarkable, especially since oil
tne prosperity of the Giles must be derived
from the country.
AZ present no Virginia farmer can pre-
dace wheat, corn, oats, -four, meal, pork,
beef mutton, &c., at price which they
now command in tho market. The result
is, that fer flour meal, oats, sugar, coffee,
bacon, mutton, sc all the money from the
cities howa away otl to distant States,
none of which ever returns for
the purchase of merchandise. The ef-
feet must inevitably be that since the
farmer has nothing to sell be vii! have moth
ing to buy with, and the merchant will ult-
mately be the loser. When. however, the
isrmer cells his goods iu the neighboriog
city, be purchases his supplies where he
sells, and the money is Kept at home. Now
it goes never to return. 1t is problem the
inevitable solution of which must result in
the utter prostration and impoVerishment of
both cities ard country. If toe farmer is go
benefited by the beef tax es to enable him
to sell his bseves at o profit, no one will be
more benefited by the tax than the mer-
chant.
1t is impossible. think, to determine as
vet the full extent of the loss the truckers
have sustained from the cold snap just pass
ed. That it has been very great there can
he 40 doubt The bravest people on earth,
it seems to ne, ara the farmers OF Virginia.
They have to contend with winds and tides,
rains and droughts, heat and cold, exhausted
lands as we'll as the rich fields, and the prai'
rie bseves Of the far West. And yet in pow
erty and want, with strong arms and brave
hearts they struggle on. Long live the Vir
ginie farmer HANOVER.