Thomas's Massachusetts spy, or, Worcester gazette. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1811-1821, 1821-03-07
[coMMUNIcA
Jdessrs. Manning { TrumbuIl,

suessrs. Manning & Trumbull,
A correspondent in your last paper, under
the signature of AN Elector,'' has put in nom
ination, for the office of Register of Deeds the
Hon. Aaron Tufts. Had this writer contented
himself with enumeratng the qualifications of
his own candidate, without endeavouring TO
detract from those of others, he would have
passed unnoticed by me. But he has seen fit,
by dark insinuations which cannot be misun-
derstood, rudely TO assault the feelings and
character of the present Register, and indeed
of all who have pressed their claims on the
publick on the score of poverty. Besides the
cowardice of this mode of procedure, where
alone direct charges ought to have been made,
which would have met with proper exami-
nation and refutation, it is such departure
from good breeding and the common delicacy
of civilized life, as should meet with the decid-
ed disapprobation of every one; and, as far as
| know, it has had this fate in an eminent de-
gree.
1t has hitherto been supposed that poverty
constituted fair claim upon the compassion
and humanity of mankiGd and sympathy and
kindness have been its usual attendants. This
humane writer, however, has boldly discarded
the influence of such Uulgar feelings, and with
philosophical sang .frOid held it up as subject
of publick reproacn, and mark for scorn to
point her finger at. In the distributions of the
blessings of life it may be that property has been
or is TO be assigned to him as his portion; but
we are yet to learn that this is to give him
right to trample coolly upon the feelings of
those who place their reliance upon other gifts
of Providence.
-, This writer says, that DR.. Tufts /" is not pro
posed because he is poor, and wants the fees of
his office; but because he is willing to labour
for competent support for his family, content
ed with the legal and proper fees of bis Office;
because he has sufficient property to be above
temptations to do wrong, and is not SO rich as
to be above his employment Without adj
.yerting again to the nature of the attack, the
principle contained in the remarks is not true.
Men of property are as apt to be rapacious and
mercenary as the poor; and notable instance
is now before the publick, of man Of large
property, a Judge of Probate in one of the
neighbouring counties, standing impeached be-
fore the Senate of this Commonwealth for talk
ing exorbtant fees. If you wish to determine
whether man will discharge the duties of
Publick Office with honesty and liberality, look
to bis private character, and not TO his condi-
ton. If he is upright and liberal in his own
affairs, he will be SO in those of the publick.
To this test we are willing to put DIR. Fiske,
and We have no doubt the result will be fa-
vourahsl to him.
trust feel as much respect for DR.. Tufts
as his corresponding patron does, and have no
doubt his honorable feelings win sustain as
much of shock at the manner in which he
was brought before the publick notice as mine
did. But the circumstance that he is already
IN the enjoyment of handsome property, is
with me a conclusive reason for not giving him
this Office. Where there are two candidates
for Office, both qualified, one of whom is al
ready well provided for, it is but the dictate of
common humanity and justice to give it to the
other; as in this way both are made comfort
able. A POOR MAN.