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Letter to Editor
March 5, 1832
Phenix Gazette
Alexandria, Virginia
What is this article about?
A heavy taxpayer in the 1st and 3rd Wards supports the current Common Council members for re-election but calls for greater public accountability in the management of internal improvement projects like the Middle Turnpike Road and Alexandria Canal, urging annual reports from directors to the council and stockholders.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
[Communicated.]
To the Voters of the Third Ward.
I see we have nothing like a dearth in Nominations for Members of the Common Council, the ensuing year; and I certainly should not have added another if I did not conceive the present time a fit one to say something more than make a bare nomination. I am a plain man, and therefore I shall speak plain. I am in favor of our present delegation—but, when I say this, I do not wish to be understood as saying that I am satisfied with the present order of our concerns.
Some years ago I met many of you, with other citizens of our town, at the Court-House, for the purpose of making a start with our present operations (in part) of Internal Improvement. It appeared to be a time when we were called upon to decide between capacity and expediency—between canal and no canal.—The result you all know. Since that time, we have commenced, and gone on to make, (in part) the Middle Turnpike Road, and more recently we have commenced the Alexandria Canal. Of none or all of this do I complain. But I would ask you, who amongst you have seen any statement for the last two years of the expense or cost of these operations. I think it full likely our funds may have been judiciously managed; but that is no reason whatever we should not see them.—It would be gratifying to our old men, and perhaps edifying to our young ones: in short, as to myself, I take a lively interest in seeing every thing as we progress onward. Although the distance may be great and the time long, and although I design nothing like censure, yet, in order to have the most wholesome administration of our affairs, I am decidedly in favor of public accountability; and in order to effect this, I am not in favor of the Common Council electing any of their own body Directors either of our Road or Canal; but that the Directors or Agents should annually report to the Common Council, and the Common Council to the Stockholders, and Stockholders in common. This done, and a faithful and judicious management in these concerns, and I care not who you elect, if they are good and capable men. I nominate our present members all of whom will serve if elected.
Heavy Tax Payer in 1st and 3d Wards.
*By virtue of being freeholders.
To the Voters of the Third Ward.
I see we have nothing like a dearth in Nominations for Members of the Common Council, the ensuing year; and I certainly should not have added another if I did not conceive the present time a fit one to say something more than make a bare nomination. I am a plain man, and therefore I shall speak plain. I am in favor of our present delegation—but, when I say this, I do not wish to be understood as saying that I am satisfied with the present order of our concerns.
Some years ago I met many of you, with other citizens of our town, at the Court-House, for the purpose of making a start with our present operations (in part) of Internal Improvement. It appeared to be a time when we were called upon to decide between capacity and expediency—between canal and no canal.—The result you all know. Since that time, we have commenced, and gone on to make, (in part) the Middle Turnpike Road, and more recently we have commenced the Alexandria Canal. Of none or all of this do I complain. But I would ask you, who amongst you have seen any statement for the last two years of the expense or cost of these operations. I think it full likely our funds may have been judiciously managed; but that is no reason whatever we should not see them.—It would be gratifying to our old men, and perhaps edifying to our young ones: in short, as to myself, I take a lively interest in seeing every thing as we progress onward. Although the distance may be great and the time long, and although I design nothing like censure, yet, in order to have the most wholesome administration of our affairs, I am decidedly in favor of public accountability; and in order to effect this, I am not in favor of the Common Council electing any of their own body Directors either of our Road or Canal; but that the Directors or Agents should annually report to the Common Council, and the Common Council to the Stockholders, and Stockholders in common. This done, and a faithful and judicious management in these concerns, and I care not who you elect, if they are good and capable men. I nominate our present members all of whom will serve if elected.
Heavy Tax Payer in 1st and 3d Wards.
*By virtue of being freeholders.
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Political
What themes does it cover?
Infrastructure
Politics
Economic Policy
What keywords are associated?
Common Council
Internal Improvements
Alexandria Canal
Middle Turnpike Road
Public Accountability
Stockholders
Taxpayer Concerns
What entities or persons were involved?
Heavy Tax Payer In 1st And 3d Wards.
To The Voters Of The Third Ward.
Letter to Editor Details
Author
Heavy Tax Payer In 1st And 3d Wards.
Recipient
To The Voters Of The Third Ward.
Main Argument
supports re-election of current common council members but demands public accountability for internal improvement projects, including annual reports from directors to the council and stockholders, to ensure transparent management of funds.
Notable Details
References Past Meeting At Court House On Canal Decision
Mentions Middle Turnpike Road And Alexandria Canal
Opposes Common Council Electing Its Own Directors For Road Or Canal