Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1896-05-27
The Last Ditch Of Desperation.


last Saturday the business combine"
of the First Ward filed a bill of injunc-
ton against Mr.. Coffelt and Mr.. Funk
houser, two of the judges of election
in that Ward, to inhibit them from
acting as such judges in the approach
ing election. Mr.. Coffelt one OF Staun-
toms most upright mechanics, who is
an old one-legged Confederate soldier
and added to this misfortune is poor,
but who has been a republican fol
years, and for about twelve years has
served in the present capacity without
previous objection, is accused in the
bill with not being republican. I'm
til now no complaint has been made on
this score Mr.. Coffelt himself says he
is a republican and this ought to settle
the matter The trouble is not that
Mr.. Coffelt is not a republican. but
that he is an upright, honest man, and
for this reason does not suit the repub
fican tricksters of this town.
As to Mr.. Funkhouser, they have
gone so far as to attack his personal
character. Mr.. Funkhouser has been
serving as Judge of election in the
First Ward for six or seven years with
out objection. Now the combine
has become 80 desperate they have as
sailed his characteristic character of
man whose reputation for integrity,
honesty and fair dealing is as enviable
as that of any man in Staunton, and
in the estimation of many, far abovo
that of his assailants. Mr.. Funkhous-
er is one of the most prominent young
business men of this city. He is secre-
tary of the Equity Life Insurance Co.,
of this city, of which Gen. Fitz Lee is
President, and he is director in one,
if not two, of our banks. His word
goes anywhere, and we are informed
on the market, is worth decidedly more
than the bond of any of his assailants.
This malicious and libellous attack,
this unparalleled and slanderous as
sault, on the good name of two as rep
utable men as are In our city indicates
a desperation that is almost unpar-
allelled in the city's history, and shows
that there is a deep and determined
purpose in the combine" to fasten
their fangs upon the throat of this
city, not for two years or five years,
but for the balance of their natural
lives, with the remainder over to their
heirs or assigns.
It may console many people to know
that we are not taxed as high on our
real estate as in Alexandria or Norfolk
or many other Virginia cities where
the assessment may be only half value.
But the tax of $1.25 per hundred which
is provided by the old council is on our
property. II any city makes it's IL
cense tax, or it's water tax, any higher
than ours the Lord preserve them. We
pay on an assessment which we guar
antee is nearer the market value than
any in Virginia. True our tax rate of
$1.25 on our real estate has not been
raised but we will have to do it to run
the city, and no figures ever made can
change this fact.
In five years how m UGH money have
the present council spent?
$4,000 of taxes annually $45OOOO
Increase in bonded debt 263O0O.
Total S7l3,O0O.
What have they to show for it.
A Market House $4,000.
The Market House Lot $500
Fair Grounds 10000
Parsons land Loo
Add to this Mr.. Tams full bill
of street improvements 9O,5OO
Now allow fol smallpox 10000
$149,2OO