Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-02-15

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ton of the community in wishing to sec country -four
in mgh repute The demand for flour of.firs quality
greater than the supply, and the greater the sup
ply the greater Still will be the demand. Let US fur
nsh Soo,oo0 instead of about 2OU, 600 barrels and
let It all have name equal superior to the best
now made, and our river would be crowded with
vessels TO carry 1t off There is no danger that any
quaDtlty we furnish, of such a SUPERIOR art
Gle, would overstock the market It's well known
superiority would always attract purchasers The
chy MINIS Ulour and the country, far from iniur-
ing one another. would thus united, and on such an
extensive scale, command the same hirh price, and
meet With the facility in the disposal as some
OF the city millers have the good fortune to en-
JOY. Richmond would then become one of the first
flour markets in the Union.
Having thus epdsav ored to show that there EXISTS
In reality, no cause of enmty between the city mil
lers and the country millers but the reverse [ will
turn to the Report and examine some of it's arpu-
ments more particularly.
/ Your Committee say; that in the exercise of the
power with which they were invested by the House,
they caused TO be summoned before them number
I OF gentlemen Of long experience in the wheat and
Hour business In so doing, they acted correctly
But why In the name of common Justice and common
sense, did they not summon the City Milers Had
they ne interest in the enquiry? Gould they throw no
light on the subject Are they not who have
spent long tues in the Wheat and Flour business ,
Have they not large families whose happiness might
be jeopardized by the decisions of your Committee
And yet, strange it may appear and contradictory
to the dictates of sound wisdom, and the planest
principles of Justice your Committee have not IF
my information be correc,) made single enquiry of
them They have made their Report upon ex-parte
testimony entirely.
| They wanted TO know why City Mill Flour sells
| higher than Country Flour Would it not be almost
the first idea that would suggest sef,o an unpreiu-
diced mind, to mind not acted upon by private in
terests or secret agency to send for the CITY Mlers
and ask them, what was the popularity in their mode
of grinding, or in their machinery or to what other
circumstance the superior standing of their Flour
might be attributed? Would it not have been Justice
hlilerS. HIM rd
the inspection fees to have asked their opinion about
making reduction? Are not the opinions of men
who have contributed so largely to raise the reputa-
ton OF our Flour abroad, entitled to some respect in
an enquiry where the opinions of those engaged in
the business, have been deemed essential Just and
impartial decision? Common courtesy entitled them
to hearing. After hearing them, the Committee
might have given their evidence such weight as in
their opinion it deserved But more of this when
come to examine another part of the Report
OBSERVER.
a. We give below the end No. Of" An Observer -
showing the improperly fchangng the mode OF ap-
pointing the Richmond Flour Inspector. The facts
and reasons he advances, must carry conviction to
every mind.
No. H.
! l come now to the reasoning of the Committee of
! Agriculture and Manufactures by which they arrive
at the conclusion that the mode of appointing the
Inspector of Flour for the city of Richmond ought
! be changed At present he is appointed by the Ma
gistrates of the county of Henrco The committee
propose that the county court OF Henrco shall nom
mate and recommend annually two fit and peten
persons for that office, of whom the Governor shall
select
| The magistrates of Henrico ore farmers; moi to-
bacco nor cotton planters, but wheat growers Their
interests completely identified with the interests
of the same class all over the State But the COM
mtee say, 1.-THE citizens of Henrico have greater
interest in he fitness and competency of that off
Ger than the citizens of various other counties
Very true! but is sufficient, my humble opinion
to qualify them to elec that officer! that they have
an equal interest in his fitness and competency. And
the best proof that be adduced, that they have
faithfully discharged the duties OF the important trust
reposed in them, is, that the Richmond inspected
flour is in higher estimation, in every market
TO which 1T Is sent, than it ever has been when
the magistrates of Henrico betray their trust and
prove themselves incapable of the duty assigned
them, it will be then time enough to them,
and publicly pronounce them unworthy But the
Committee tell you, Complaints have arisen, ms
may well be imagined, against officers appointed"
can well imagine that; and every member of your
honorable body well knows, that however competent,
however faithful, however Just and righteous the in
tentions of public officer may be- no matter how
by whom appointed, complaints will arise. You may
change the appointment of the Flour Inspector,
sion after session. and complaints will still arise
less you make him infaible and the mllers and
farmers perfect in their respective caIings. The
Committee farther say, THE appointment of pub
lie officer should be made by those to be benefited
or injured by his good i'll conduct in Office by
Court of Henrco is, quoad hoc Irresponsible THE
first branch of this argument consider answered
by undeniabe fact, that the private interests of
the MAGISTRATES &C Hennco arc deeply involved
in the good or i'll coDSuct of the Flour Inspector of
the city of Richmond the interests of the citizens
Of any other section of the State, and If they abuse
their trust, no part of the country Will sufier
than the county of Henrco-But the Magistrates of
Henrco are irresponsible. That is TO say, if IN
derstand arigh we cannot turn them out if they ap
point bad Flour Inspector, and put in others who
will choose good one. Suppose the mode recon-
mended by the Committee adopted: How much
nearer arc we attaining that sort Of responsibility
IN the appointing power which is desired by the
Committee, if the word they use means any thing
Is it to- be believed that capacity for appointing
Flour Inspector for the City ofRicbmond will weigh
.he tenth part of hair with the Legislature of Vir-
ginia in estimating tho qualifications of the candi
dates for the Jfice of Governor' Or, that init
dicous appointment, when he mas bur two to choose
from, will be judged by your hon rable body, suf
fcieDt grounds for impeachment? For in that
way only punish bim and make him feel his
responsibility Hc is out of REACH and, the