Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1822-02-21

As to appointments 10 any Offices unGer
the state government, lei past experience
decide this point. In al the appointments,
which have been made from theyear I7!6,
on the 9th OF February 1901 can the old
est citizen OF our town, name the appoints
ment of any citizen oil Alexandra, TO any
office in the gilt Of the. government OF VII
GINA. except that Of justice OF the peace
hav. made deligent inquiry Oh this suo.
ject and have rot been able to ascertain
single instance; what reason then have we
70 If thinking that il we 60 back to Virgi..
MIA. she will NOW estimate the talents ana
virtues of our citizens more than former
~. The writer well remembers the con
duct Of the Virginia legislature in appoint
m ent OF brigadier general, in the year
1898 or 1894, of the militia for the ebrl
gade, which included Alexandria. The
veteran Fitzgerald, whose memory IS dear
to the hearts of some Of my tomnsmen,
who having fought by the side OF Wash,
ington, the battles OF bis country, ana
carried through life The scars OF his valor'
resided and died among US. tie was no..
minated by some OF his brother officers OF
the revolution, these members OF the le-
gislature, to the Office of brigadier gene
raj. The result was, that this brave SOL
der was rejected, and a young man OF the
county of Loudon, untaught in military
affairs, was taken from the ranks and pla-
ced over our honoured townsman's head. !.
As to appointments under the general
government, our situation forms no constr
tutional objection TO their being bestowed
on an inha bitant OF Aiexandria--As the
fact proves, for some of our citizens have
received appointments, lhough confess
more ought to have been made. This is
not the fault oil the system. but OF those who
are appointed to administer it-coJld we,
il we were attached TO Virginia alter this
Gould we change the administrators.-
Supp sc we were a part of Virginia
what would be our benef. in this respect
would the executive of the Union. II
vacancy occurred in the offices to De
exercised in the town, select citizens OF
the town? They would not. As an illus,
tration Of the truth of this assertion, l VIII
mention what has occurred respecting the
collectors Office of Norfolk. Some years
ago it became vacant by the death OF Mr..
Lindsay. The citizens of that town sent
an almos. unanimous petition TO the fresi
dent of the U States, soliciting the ap-
pointment of gentleman residing among
them. He did not receive the appoint
ment, Mr. Otwey Byrd who resided IN
the county between Norfolk and Rich
lAond; on his death, Mr.. Larkin Smith OF
King William county was appointed; upon
his death, Mr. Wilson G. Nicholas OF Al
bernarle; when Mr.. Nicholas resigned,
the citizens of Norfolk applied TO have
one of their own citizens appointed. tie
did not receive the office, but Mr.. Mallory
who resided in Richmond. was selecte d by
by the President. Mr.. Mallory has been
succeeded by Mr. Johnston, a resident OF
distant county. Such has been the prac-
tice of the government; which a recess
sion will not alter in favour Of Alexan-
dria.
The situation of the people Of Aexan,,
dria cannot be so CALLING as some pieteno
it is, and that of The people OF Virginia
so enviabIe as represented, or why is 1t,
that whenever an opportunity offers, the
patriots of that state, SO readily yield up
the delights of their political situation for
the sake OF Offices, or a prospect ct Prac-
Using the learned professions, or OF carry
ing on their merchandise or trade, remove
to tbi. place of political bondage. They
find whenithey come we are not oppressed;
we enjoy our liberty, our property and the
earnings of Our honest labours, and have
none to disturb or make US afraid.
Property in Alexandra must be consl-
dered as more valuable than property 10
Virginia, otherwise certain knowing
and influential farmer OF the county OF
Fairfax. would not have exchanged va
liable farm in that county, not 80 miles
from the town, for houses and lots in the
town Of Alexan ria, which were valued
high by the seller of them, who being
fair ADD correct man would not have held
property in declining place, as high as
IN prosperous town.
viii the recession add TO our wealth? IN
what way? 1t will not raise the price OF
produce, or of town property, or OF stocks.
If such will be the effect on US. why has
not this been the case with those towns
which have remained and still are under
ths government OF Virginia Their siua.
ton is al this time rather worse than that
of Alexandra.
SO far as the increase OF the number OF
buildings in town. is evidence OF 1t:
prosperity, Alexandra has in this respect
the advantage OF every town in Virginia,
(Richmond excepted.) 1t has since the
District OF Columbia has been under the
government of the Usted States doubled
in size,
AN ALEXANHRIAN.