Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-03-17

mong the different counties, according 10 The ratio Of re-
presentation or taxation. or upon whatever other prin-
cipls that might be deemed most equitable.
means to accomplish the end, which i have proposed.
am aclua,cd by no desire 10 assail 'ae Literary Fund.
Without calling in question the patriotism or wisdom Of
effects produced by II, I will only observe, that that
Fund is now so large. that its annual interest ought TO
supply the literary wants OF our peopie-and having
provided the means for improving the minds Of our cii-
zens, the Legislature, by giving a different direction to
eschea's and militia fines, would provide some what for
the physical wants Of its citizens. We have had an eye
long enough to the head of the body polite, and I now
beg that a little attention will be given TO its bodily
wants.
l am not so much pre-possessed with this scheme Of
agricultural societies, as to suppose il would smelorate
the condition Of every individual in the Commonwealth.
The science Of government never has, and never will be
so perfect as to enable any Legislature to render every
member oil society contented,? happy and virtuous. AL
that can be done, is to advance the interests OF the great
est number in the best manner. Nor have | tho vani-
~ to suppose that my scheme is best adapted to attain
TINS desirable object. or this, feel assured, that II ID
better calculated to promote the prosperity and welfare
OF my fellow citizens than roads and canals. l do not
wish to be understood as being opposed TO all roads and
cana's-some are almost Indispensable; but I am mimi.
cal TO the prosecution Of an extensive system, bcliev-
ing. it not only inexpedient at present, but pregnant
with many evils. AGRICOLA.
FOR THE ENQUIRER.
While he Legislature ar engaged IN putting into
opera,i n the Governmtn Of Virginia under the
Amended Constitution, il may no, b. sm,ss to cell
IL dttenVOn, tnrOugn the medium Of yOrr n trer, 70
one su'ject whose bearings. as we'll Ia regard to the
Legislative body Itself. as to the whols community, Il
ven worthy their serious considerauoo.-I sliuds 10
ms Elee',onee'ing ,y.'em. and especially % that part
Of u usually termed treating, as ~practised IN various
counties in tbs Western part Of Virginia To say that
gentlemen, whom l believe to be honorable men, have
yielded themselves as willing instruments 10 promote
a lrac'ice, repugnant 70 the existing laws. and 10 moral
duty,-is more than 1 would Wish to say: yet. sueh
Is the irh fence Of a msasure, long in use. that 10 de-
part from il, would seem to the candidates 10 be ss.um.
ing an independent and naughty department., unbe-
coming persons soliciting the public favour. Hence,
'ney are led by precedent, by a wish &, please; but
above all, by a desire to succeed, which is q very natu-
raj propensity greater Lengths, than even them
selves would justly under other circumstances, and to
which necessity, alone, could have urged hem to 90.
1 am one Of those men who have never been, and
who never expect 10 be, a candidate for public favour;
so that l feel myself perfectly at liberty to give my
views in this matter.
are requisite to make a good repres .nlaiivs?" Arc
,hey not, capacity OF intellect; Acquaintance with the
laws and genius OF our government, The situation AID
wants oil the community; and an honest heart impell-
.ng MIN TO the performance OF duty! Is il, then, on oddi.
fondl quahhcatop, that he shall have seen almost all
his constituents at their own houses; .haiI have talk.d
with individuals for hours togother, in using his inhu-
ence upon their minds u favour his Newfoundland he
shall have distributed large portions Of ard-nt spirits 10
MS fellow citizens, with a view to have an effect ia
vourable TO him?
Is it for the good OF the community, and does il qua.
MY him to be the better representatives. the candidate
shall attend every muster and public meeting he can.
purchase kegs OF whiskey and brandy, and distribute 10
the people?
Is he the better qualiied-if he has meeting, called,
Tor the express purpose of treating his neighbours with
a view to have a bearing upon his elections!
IL may, however, be asked-have circumstances
transpired in any section of the State, TO justify these
remarks? | answer, they have: and | could ma me in
~dividuals and facts to bear me out. But the doing SO
might give offence, which is not my wish. NV wish
is, that none OF my fellow citizens would so act, as 10
force into the pubic councils, persons whose merits do
not entitle them TO those high trusts; but that every
man may be left free to select those whom he believes
pest qiailiIed to represent him: and I am sure the peo-
pie, IT let alone, would generally make the proper seIec-
tions; because they would act from principle, and not
through constraint, or from selfish motives.
l have conv-rsei with various in iiviiual., who I
thought had equal, p rbap, superior, cis inns ou tho
community, TO others who had bsen -'ec'ed,-wby
dd ihey not present themselves be ore The public or
uer sunrages' They have told me, that TO expect
probable success. they must descend to The practice of
mir predecessors or competitors, and that they could
not do. Therefore, we have not BEN able to COM
by mrn less deserving.
But what remedy Can be applied 10 correct these
e wiz The most certain preventive woult be, So
briefly and indepeI dence in the voters, and a yiew IN
the public good, by which the heterioraang il 6uenee
acted.
Unfortunately, however. for Us, the COZ muni,v. At
least a number OF them, have their weaknesses and
Their iailings; and designing men will take advantage
Of these circumstances. The unwary will re caught;
the aissipated will be entangled in the net: and The
more thinking and resolute will have ultimately 10
leave the field as var guished combatants, unless yir,u,
ahu uiscreuoh become general, or the strong arm of
the law inierpose.
The Legislature are, therefor, bumbly and respect
tuiy 'olieited. to do som-tbiog more eff .c,uai than that
Wheh t'ey nave a'reaiy done, to prevent these mis-
chiefs. The present lew has never in one single jn-
stance that l have heard of, been enforced, po,with-
stan ing its frequent violation; to attempt is applica ion
would Do to bring down a mountain Of contempt that
would crush The agent.
Let he purifying begin at the fountain, and The
streams will How, possessing those ~salubrious Qualities
mat WI renovAie every corrupt member, mi conse-
QuenIy tnb Woe sVatem of ths hnIv pof;s,- ID
son, r"Paining her throne, will govsrn in wisdo,.
s'riie and tiscord will be measurably r,strained: and
the vo ce OF umitamWelie6 and unbiased raiuds. viii
call 10 The CoIncls Of the State, men possessing those
talents and virtues, that will safely guide the vssseI IN
her oe tined haven. A WESTERN MAN..
TO II EDITORS-
In your Report of Proceedings in tho House of DeIegates M
hined IN tho Enquirer Of last Tuesday, IL is stated tbat Mr. uaso,
OF Frederick moved to ameBd the bill regulating the oen,,oJ 49,
mons I'm such manner rs TO cause tho elections TO bo held an ,hs
same day, IN the several counties Of each ConeREssro,.r n,s.
Inicr'"-fou will do me the favour to correct thai repot in ,bis.
The amendment proposed, that all the elections, al we'll n, nsm
eIs oi the General Assembly. as Tor Congress, should be held on
the same day throug hont the State. W ""
IL .he same paper, in reporting the debate upon tho Bill 70 con-