West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1891-09-24
UNCLE TOMMY CONES UP
SMILING AND FRESH
FOR THE SECOND
ROUND
lie Lands A Hercules Blow On
Farmers Defective Argu.
ment and Knocks Him
Across the County
Had

In my FORMER communication TO
pay no attention to Farmer and
Taxpayer unless he signed has
real name to his letter, but as he
seems to be laboring under the i'm
preston that he is public bene-
factor, and the special champion Of
the farmer and taxpayer, / have
concluded to let him display his
wonderful talent in that direction.
II given sufficient space in the
ARGUS he will not be long in con-
vincing the average newspaper rea-
der that he is regular dolt.
1t was real amusing to me to
read his last effort. His logic and
reasoning would do credit to sub
ject for the insane asylum. II any
one can tell what lie is trying to
lmpart to the suffering public they
are entitle to much sympathy and
should be exempt from paying tax
and working the county roads. In
his vain effort to exculpate himself
from his misrepresentation of his
fellowman, he assumes the role of n
wag. 1t is evident that he has no
honor for the principle taught the
Grecian youth---"Tcll the truth"
But let me notice some Of his silly
mutterings. Now listen to him ::
'lncrease the wages and you in
crease the taxes" There's logic
for you. The idea that man who
receives S1.50 per day will not have
as much Of the filthy lucre" to
pay his taxes when the Sheriff
comes around as the man who re-
ceives but one dollar per day, is not
worthy of serious consideration. l
will leave the reader to pass judg-
ment on such argument.
There is one item in his letter
do wish to take notice of, however,
and the only one which need repu-
tation. Here it is: g Commits
sioner Shaw tells us that the valua-
ton of property held by farmers
is decreasing. notwithstanding our
roads arc in better condition than
they have been in for ten years."
According to your logic and rea-
soning, Mr.. Farmer, we arc still
living in an age of standstillness, if
may coin the word for this one
time. Men of sense believe we are
living IN an age Of progress, and
only such fogies as You believe the
contrary. You have been living SO
long in the state of fogyism that
you refuse to come ont of the woods
and have the moss rakcd off your
back. You believe in clinging to
the old system for the simple reason
that it drops dollar IN your slot,
which clearly demonstrates the fact
that your objections to the new
system Is not prompted by patriotic
motives or your love for the old
farmer and taxpayer, but to crafty
your own avaricious appetite for the
almighty dollar. OF course the
county roads arc i'm better condi-
ton than they were ten years ago.
No one denies that. 1t would be
strange indeed, if, after years Of
work OF the county roads they were
not in a better condition than they
were when first made. Years of
hard work and experience ought to
count for something, and in place
Of the county roads being in pass.
able condition i'm bad weather they
should be IN prime condition.
Hence my objection to the old sys-
tenn OF working tho county roads.
The old system has lived its days of
usefulness, just like you, and it is
time it was regulated to the rear,
and If all signs don't fail it will be
at no distant day. Such mossbacks
as you cannot stem the tide of pro-
gross which is sweeping over our
glorious country.
havet no idea your quotations Of
Commissioner Shaw are correct.
You quote our worthy Commits
siOner as saying that the valuation
Of property held by farmers IS
decreasing. lam not prepared to
speak adyisodly on that point, but
] have IT from gentleman who is
interested aud posted on such mat
tiers, that annually there IS from
fifteen 10 twenty thousand dollars
sent to tho south and veot from,