Staunton Vindicator

It may not be altogether amiss, after the elections in some of the Northern States to look at their probable effect upon President Johnson's policy for reconstruction.

The Republicans have thus far gained the day, but we learn from our Northern Exchanges that the Democratic gain has been large. We have been unable to compare the results with former elections, save in the case of Ohio. Brough's majority for Governor two years ago, was [unclear]. Gov.'s majority now is 26,257, which shows a clear gain for the Democratic party of 71,713, which looks pretty well for a party that some have pretended to believe dead. The fact is the Democratic party of the North has made a gallant fight against Radicalism, which will result in a future triumph. President Johnson understands this. He knows that the Republicans, by ignoring or leaving in doubt their policy on important measures, have gained only a temporary triumph, and that, with the defining of the issues, between the Republicans and Democracy, which must take place during the session of the next Congress, will come the further strengthening of the Democratic Conservative party, and all that is necessary for him to do, is to continue to pursue his eminently wise policy, to ensure a successful restoration of our country.

Besides a reference to these facts in every State, Republicans, as well as Democrats, have endorsed his policy. If he does not reason thus, how can we reconcile his acts since these elections have taken place? Has he not relieved Kentucky from martial law, and liberated Stevens, Campbell and others from imprisonment? Does he not still continue to persevere in his policy, heedless of the storm which is gathering to vent itself in the next Congress? which he understands so well to be the last blow that will be struck by the radicals and in which they will vainlessly spend their remaining strength. With all these things and the earnest desire expressed, and acted out, by the South to unite again in a harmonious Union, and with his ambitious hope of restoring the old Union, with the equality and rights of the States unimpaired, we do not doubt that the result of the late elections will cause him to adhere more firmly to his wise and Statesman like policy.

We suggest for the consideration of the Town Council, the propriety of the Town taking entire charge of the water works, and employing a competent mechanic, at a fixed compensation, whose sole duty it shall be to keep the hydrants, &c., in proper order, thus relieving those having hydrants of the necessity and inconvenience of having to hunt some one to put them in order, and then let the Council fix a tax on each private hydrant and persons using the water.

There are about 300 hydrants in the town, which with a moderate tax would pay all expenses and leave a margin for revenue to the town. Taxing the hydrants and use of the water, may be objected to at first by some who have not reflected about the matter, but when they sum up the expenses they pay for fixing their hydrants &c., during the year, most of which is for labor, they will find they would be able to pay a considerable water tax and save money by the operation. We hope the Council will take the matter into consideration and also the improvement, much needed, of our water works. We have now nothing to draw upon, in any emergency, but the water pipes, the Reservoir serving but one use, at present, to stand a solitary monument of its own stupendous failure.