Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-05-12

hundred respectable citizens, residents of, and in
the vicinity OF the place, acquainted fully with the
general conduct, character, and pretensons of the
person by them recommended, and who were par
ucularly interested in the proper execution of the
duties of the Office, had expressed decidedly their
wishes anu preferences, we could not hesitate as TO
the course it became our duty to pursue. Acting
upon the principle that the wishes of the people
residing at the place, and who of course had the
hrs and greatest interest in the result merited to be
regarded, the undersigned adopted their expression
as rule OF conduct, and entertained hope that it
would equally have claimed regard before the exc
cutive magistrate. They were the more disposed
10 this belief for the reason, that the individual pre-
seated by them as well qualified, had for ten
years been an acting deputy in the Office, and in
every point OF view, had sustained an upright
moral, and irfeproachable character. We pretend
not to urge that there is any actual obligation on
the part OF the president TO regard the wishes of
the representatives of any particular state; yet in
relation to such appointments, we know that this
has heretofore been recognized as governing prac-
ce. The reason Is obvious; 1t is because they are
presumed 10 be best acquainted with the sualiiica-
tons of applicants, and with the wishes OF the peo-
pie whose interest may be affected by the decision,
and Tor the further reason that the executive mags
trate, on such subjects, must necessarily need in
formation, and hence repose, in confidence, on the
representatives OF state. BY what other rule can
OF applicants for Office, but through the people or
their representatives: Certainly not through his
cabinet or any member thereof, who If they act
except IN relation 10 the state whence they come,
must do so without iuformstion, without RESPONSE
bily, and apart from any influence which reason
orjudsment may dictate. 1t was for this that the
undersigned, when preierrng the individual they
did, readily concluded there would be no objection
10 the appointment. We repeat, it is with great
regret we are given 10 understand, that in this par
ticuar case before Us established practice is 20
De broken down against gentleman every way
qualified, and who as deputy has OBLIGATED in
the Office for ten years; and this too in favor Of
one, who being the editor of paper, by the rule
heretofore laid down, and yet IN force at the de-
ps'tment, stands excepted from the number ofthose
who have been considcred eligible to the holding
such appointments. What if he should be urged
10 surrender that situation! and what too if he
should comply with the condition annexeds How
easily Nigh; II be rendered mere evasion of the
rule and nothing more But it is not because he is
the editor OF paper that we object; nor mean we
10 urge any thing OF a personal consideration: req
sors already presented are deemed sufficient lis
sufficient surely, that the representatives from the
state, and six hundred respectable citizens in and
about the town, have presented one, against whom
! or whose character and standing no possible ex-
cePtion can be taken; and if So then should their
wishes be heard and regarded.
We would respectfully represent, then, the pro-
pretty OF comforting this appointment on Mr. Curry
whom the great body Of the citizens had select ed
and recommended. We do il upon a princInIe
heretofore recognized, and which in government
constituted as ours is, should be held sacred
regard and obedience 10 the recommendation and
wishes OF the people who directly concerned
and particularly interested in the result. Against
, departure from this, claim not to enter any
formal protest we prefer in more respectful
language Tor and in behalf of those we represent
10 demonstrate with the President, and 10 claim,
I THAT he may not treat with dsrespect s. disregard
the citizens OF a community, who having direc,
interest IN the appointment 10 be made, have ex-
! pressed iuiy and warmly their desires upon the
subject. We cannot adopt the belief that in virtue
OF his nominating prerogative, the President will
be disposed TO place the citizens of Tennessee and
! her representatives On ground different, from what
has been uniformly conceded 10 all in relation Ia
appointments, or to practice towards them rule
OF conduct and decision, which is done in reference
TO no other state, or territory Of this union
We claim TO be entitled 10 equal rights with the
other states OF this confedcracy, and hence in
virtue OF acknowledge practice. 10 determine as
TO the fitness OF applicants and the appointment to
local offices OF such as are shown TO be most
acceptable to the people. This we urge, not indeed
as right, but as rule heretofore practiced upon.
and until aow not departed from. 1t has been
praeticed upon by the executive, and even by the
senate OF the United States. We maintain thar
this Is an Office OF local tendency, inasmurh as the
citizens OF the place are principally be effected
md because all & every interest appertaning 10 it
IL theirs, savea strict accountability as If reyard.
the moneys that may be received
We ask then for the appointment Of Mr.. Curry;
we ask it because Of his intrinsic worth, and his
good qualities; because he has been presented nv
every member from Tennessee except one and for
the further and stronger that six hundred of
the citizens Of Nashville aud Its vicinity those i'm
mediately inter asied, have desired it 10 be done -
We cannot perceive why it should be- that one
thus presented and sustained, who is eminently
qualified, against whose standing and character
even whisper has never breathed--,yho has been
IN the Office actively engaged for ten years.
should, under existing circumstances, be thrown
aside to make way fol- another, who Is not recon-
mcnded by the people, the parties in interest. We
claim 1t to be departure from every thing OF usage
and right, and apart from mere sic uol0 is in NO
reasonable way 10 be accounted for.
we have the honor TO be, very respectfully,
JOHN II. EATON.
SAML. HOUSTON.
a tue COPY C. JvitoheH
POst-OGice Department, eth March, 1926.
Gentlemen Agreeaby 10 your request have
Ntd the enclosed memorial respecting the appoint
meDt OF a postmaster at Nashville before the pre
sldent, and he has requested 10 return it TO YOU
as paper not proper for him to receive
lie has instructed me to state to you that II, con-
talns objections to the appointment Of Mr. III win
which we're necessarily considered By him, when
MS preference was at first indicated, and essen
TALLY diiercn. from those which he had been given
to understand would be made
The objection on account Of Mr.. Erwin's con-
neCtIOu with a ha ,,;e,