Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1893-08-25
Corporation Election.

The election for the proposed iOS" ~,
the purpose of building new sOnoOi
horsa vas held last Tuesday a con-
.;do,ohla interest was manifested. Inc
~o,s stood III in favor of the loan and ~
ooo;nst II. A number of citizens did not
vote Under the provisions of tho charter
.bs ouestion is to be decided by two
thirds vote Of the proFerty-holders' ibis
restriction was so literally construed toa'
sve,y one was permitted to vote ana a
number who pay no property tax OF any
Ind we're considered qualified voters
.Dd aysn some who upon their own testl
mony are non-residents we're permitted 10
vote and parties who had not been
registered previously were registered on
the day of election
Notwithstanding there was no prescribed
firm of ballots, eleven votes, all opposed
70 tie loan, were thrown ont on techn'-
cality. 1t is very serious question
vbstber the election was held in accor
aance with the laws of the State govern
inc elections. While we were opposed Il
the proposed loan for reasons fully set
forth in our last weeks issue, we regret
that the election was so loosely conducted
as TO give rise to questions of this kind
II NAV be the source of serious and costly
difficulties hereafter. If the bonds should
be negotiated il might possibly efiec'
their validity. and even if it did not, II
might cause costly litigation
If however, the election be considered
valid, tie council can best subserve the
interests of the people of the corporation
bv disregarding the pledges they gave II
order TO cary the election, and make ar
rapgements to meet the obligations OF tn'
corporation by an increase of taxation
We. of course, have no advice of this kin'
70 give. but 1t is selt-evident PROPOSE
ton that we can not successfully ruI
schools. costing $4,000 PEE annum ahC
carry an interest bearing debt OF s5o1o
ON a school revenue of $13OO.OO.
The other revenues of the town are
barely sufficient to meet the necessary e2
pen,es. and wo1ld not be if the improve
ments which have been made IN some
sectsus of the town, we're extended u
all other less favored sections OF The
corporation.
careful canvass of the registration
books and the votes pOlled show con-
cluslvely that the proposition for .osr
was legally defeated. Admitting the cor.
RICHNESS of the construction of the tworo
mpropertv holders" which was evidently
;otsnded as words of limitation, to meat
all legally qualified voters aud the right
of non residents and disqualified voters t.
vote in this election, the proposition re
csived three votes above the necessary
two.thirds required by law. The regis
tration books contain the names OF Zol
voters and I63 would be necessary on
two-third vote.
The question of new school Onlidinl
,inks into insignlf canoe, compared Will
the more important question as to whetne
the rights of property are to be jeopardize'
by construction of law which trans
fornsa nonresident with scarcely an!
property, into a qualified voter in tn
town of Woodstock. 1t appears 10 u
that 1t is the duty of the council and IN
legal adviser of the council TO protect th
citizens of the town from any such con
struction. If thew do not, it is the patrl
etc duty of the citizens of the town Z
appeal to the courts and have their rlgAt
fully protected. We cannot believe tina
.ny court will decide that a nOn-taxpaJ
ing pauper on the town can legally pos
as a property holder and say what t@A'
can be imposed upon the property OF tn
town. liza tax of $4,000, can in this wa
be imposed upon our town, TAX oil slVV
900 can be placed upon our property b
the same questionable means.