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Staunton Spectator: April , 1870 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: "Waynesboro'" asked a series of questions on the subscription to the Valley Railroad. The Spectator answered Waynesboro's questions and announced that the vote has been postponed.

Full Text of Article:

WAYNESBORO', April 13th, 1870.

I wish to ask two or three questions in regard to the vote to be taken in this County on the 28th inst., for $300,000 to aid in making the Valley Railroad.

1st. What majority is requisite to carry the subscription? Will it require simply a majority vote, or will it not require a two-thirds vote to carry the subscription?

2nd. How, or upon what property will the tax for the $300,000 be levied? Will it be upon all persons and property, or only upon real estate?

3rd. Who are entitled to vote on this subscription? Will those only who are not disqualified by the 14th Amendment, or those who pay the tax, or all?

Be kind enough to answer these questions for the information of many in and around

WAYNESBORO';

By way of answer to our correspondent, we say that since the order of the County Court directing the vote to be taken, it has been ascertained that, under existing laws and owing to the change in the County Court system, new legislation may be necessary in order that the sense of the people may be properly taken on the subject of the subscription, and that, therefore, the vote must necessarily be postponed. -- We presume that the tax will be assessed on all property, and that therefore all legal voters will be entitled to vote. That was the case under the old law, and we presume it will be the same under the new. We will, however, publish the act for the information of our readers when it is passed.

The Valley Railroad and Mike
(Column 02)

Summary: "Next time" wrote to the Spectator in favor of the Valley Rail Road subscription. He chided those who would vote against the railroad simply because they do not gain as much from it as their neighbors. Also argued against those who will not vote because they would not pay the tax if the subscription was passed.

Full Text of Article:

Or rather Mike and the Valley Rail Road, for it will hardly be denied but for Mike the Road would be a thing so far in the future as to attract very little attention at this time. -- But superior foresight coupled with unremitting energy and perseverance presents the scheme for the present so necessary, so easy and so certain, that we feel sure the intelligent voters of Augusta will support it almost without division. There are persons however in the county with an eye single to their own advantage, who will not support the Road unless it is to be made through their immediate section. They will admit the general importance of the work, but, if they are not certainly to receive the most benefit, why then they are opposed to it. The tax necessary, if it shall be made their route is a very small matter, and the county should pay it cheerfully. A child sometimes refuses to take bread because it cannot have the largest piece with the most butter on it, but such conduct from grown men is hardly excusable. It is true that an individual should guard his own interests with zealous care, but it is equally true that, whatever contributes to the general good confers corresponding benefit upon the individual. The desire to have the largest piece or the most benefit, is both natural and laudable, but to make it a condition precedent, is we think absolutely wrong.

It is said that only those who pay the tax should vote, and there are voters influenced by the argument. Of all the arguments in opposition, this is seemingly the most plausible -- the most reasonable, but when examined by the experience of the past and the light of the present, none will be found so worthless, so hideously erroneous. Apply it effectually to all those secular affairs in the creation of which the laboring man and the mechanic do not contribute directly, and the meanest despotism is hard by. The time was, and it was a long time when the people had no vote or say, in the affairs of the world, because they were slaves -- because they were not taxed or because they were not "lords to the manor born." And you may to-day track that time by its bloody foot prints.

But in the case before us it is enough for the laboring man and the mechanic to know that the law gives them the right to vote. Do not let your employees keep you from the polls by telling you you are voting against their interests. Baldwin, Stuart, Sheffey, and many other competent gentlemen tell us that it is in the interest of all to vote for the subscription.

NEXT TIME.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The State Council of the Friends of Temperance will meet in Waynesboro on Tuesday. Encourages subordinate delegations to attend as well.

Lecture at the Baptist Church
(Column 01)

Summary: The Rev. John W. Jones delivered an address on "Religion in the Army of Northern Virginia" to a small audience. The editors praised the lecture and lamented the sparse attendance.
(Names in announcement: Rev. John W. Jones)

Commissioners of the Revenue
(Column 01)

Summary: William F. Taylor, auditor of Public Accounts, appointed John Towberman and John G. Stover Commissioners of the Revenue for Augusta.
(Names in announcement: John Towberman, John G. Stover)

The Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Institution
(Column 01)

Summary: The superintendent of Staunton's Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Institution went before a committee of the General Assembly to plead for the importance of funding his school.

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: J. Henry Clemmer and Miss S. Jennie Snider, daughter of Adam Snider, all of Augusta, were married on March 24th by the Rev. A. A. J. Bushong.
(Names in announcement: J. Henry Clemmer, S. Jennie Snider, Adam Snider, Rev. A. A. J. Bushong)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: George Rivercomb of California and formerly of Augusta and Miss Mary Jane Blakemore of Augusta were married in Mt. Solon on April 7th by the Rev. James M. Follansbee.
(Names in announcement: George Rivercomb, Mary Jane Blakemore, Rev. James M. Follansbee)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: Miss Catharine Colhoun died at Glen Allen, Augusta County, at the late residence of her brother-in-law, Gen. Kenton Harper, on March 27th. She was 76 years old.
(Names in announcement: Catharine Colhoun, Gen. Kenton Harper)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: Willie Welch Bumgardner, infant son of Capt. James and Mollie Bumgardner, died near Staunton on April 11th.
(Names in announcement: Willie Welch Bumgardner, Capt. James Bumgardner, Mollie Bumgardner)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: Justis George died at his residence near Waynesboro on April 8th. He was 78 years old.
(Names in announcement: Justis George)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: Mrs. Mary Ann Hazel, daughter of David P. Garner, died near Sherando on April 8th after suffering an illness of 12 hours. She was 17 years old.
(Names in announcement: Mary Ann Hazel, David P. Garner)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: Henry T. Sheets, son of Benjamin E. and Mary A. Sheets, died in Spring Hill on March 11th. He was 2 years old. "Little Henry was a very interesting child--the darling of the rest of the family. O, how he is missed at home!" A poem of mourning accompanied the notice.
(Names in announcement: Henry T. Sheets, Benjamin E. Sheets, Mary A. Sheets)