Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-12-10

S me Enquirer, which, ever since its establish
ihen'' mas oeen addressed To the Erecutipe-sboud
be stopped but this is not the first time the Cover
nor mas undertaken, without consultation with his
Council to prescribe to them what papers they shall
in itself-but, "straws," &c.--t was n siyn of tie
spirit which prevails, and prelude to the attack
which L. X. might cxpecr.
The main attnck, however, at last cnme on in tho
slinpe OF AN attempt to the Editor from lin,
Office OF Public Printer; and one who has been us
socnted with him, for many years. in the execu
ton of the work, was brought out against +. r. aud
against his consent. Had not the work been
well and faithfully done? There was not even
whisper of complaint made against il. Every one
admitted, whether friend or foe, that the printing
nad been most correctly, promptly and faithfully
executed. What then the great ground assign
ell ior The removal? Tint L. Richie was no prn-
Ter, OUT the Editor of newspnper-nnd ti,e purity
OF the Press WINS sad for the first time, to be in dam
ger from the patronage of the representatives of the
People. And what the facts? That the Pub
lie printing has been given to an Editor of paI,er
from the foundation OF this Commonwealth. 1t had
run through Old Pur.ie, Augustine Davis, Meri-
wether Jones, Samuel peasants, down TO T. Richie.
Inc last had held it for IS years-ccrtainly, not
without interruption, but never openly opposed be-
ioIe on the ground of his being an Editor. Another
Ed''or had been moro than once run gainst him. md
JAILED. And 1t was only when that Editor found the
grapes were sour, that he turned round and cautct
out that on the whole he ought to congratulate him
sell on ms isappontment.-Ycs-h had first the s,-
preme folly to seek the Office and then to rejoice mt
the thraldom which he had Observation-Disclosures TINT
though his independence might have been corrupted
ny tue possession, he still had wilfuy sought tho
offce. But never had this principle been officially
brought up against Il. X. And now for the first
time, in these hot multiplying times, do some of the
very men who have SO often voted for him, trump
up this excuse TO indulge their political
In tho pursuit of their object it is scarcely neces-.
sary to say that we could expect full Justice to
De done to u.s. Men of the highest honor were mis-
ed oy erroneous reports that were thrown into cir
cuation. 1t was said, TINT Il. II. paid no attention
10 the public work-that he employed Mr. S. Shep-
nerd at saary--and that after the work WINS dome
nc SKINNED all the cream of the profits. On
friend applying for the facts of the case r. r. made
out statement, which he presumes WINS lai, before
the House. He says, "presumes," because he did
not near one word Of the debate, nor will he see one
me Oh u, I'LL goes to the press. lie stated, that
nc nad Deen Tor long time associated with Mr.. s.
IN the job office, where the public work was done;
that Mr. D received salary of $780, lit was stated
guy ny mstake;) that there also n foreman ut
S6OO--that 100 was allowed to him (,r R1 out of
the common fund, for reading of proof sheets. &c.
and that after all the expences were paid the nett
profits were equally divided between Shepherd and
nnc.e: In word, that they were equal, associated
But the most unpleasant part of this whole trans
ncuon-morc unfortunate even than the running
against him, for political efect-the unkndest cut
friend and his partner-without his own consent
ana contrary TO his declared wishes! We know TINT
ne was selected, because he admirably qualified
ior the office, and because he the strongest man.
But there are surely other considerations i'm the case
which, in our humble opinion, ought 10 have made
!hem pause in the selection The contest, however
overland with this expose, we wash our hands of
the business.
| As for those gentlemen "of very tender conscien
cess" wheheri in or out of the Legislature, who NAV
honestly fear, that the independence of the ENQUIRER
may be trammelled by the office of printer, beg
leave to lay before them the following letter which
IS extracted from the Journal of the House of Dele
gates, OF January 3Ist 1876 1t is i'm this spirit that
we have always held the Enquirer aIoof from the
Legislature And il is in this spirit we mean always
| to conductit. =.
('The reader will be good enough to excuse the
mperiecnons OF this letter. as well as of this article
1hey were both written in great haste-at heat
but not an heat. The former was penned within
~ minutes after the idle impuation was thrown ONT
ngni1st him i'm the House Of Delegates, and direct
e s 'uos TO the House The Document which
ne was suspected OF sending in large tyne to the
Iiouse related to some political matter on Federal
!Seiations IN which he took deep interest-and the
Document .o which he was suspected of post2oning
was a Bill for chartering some 20 odd Banks ,lrou PIP
out the Commonwealth, on the Kentuckv md pS
syHania scheme, which he is proud 10 saw he on
posed with oil his might in the Enquirer He re-
guested an enquiry into his conduct by the House:
Out they deemed 1t unnecessary, and declined itI
Sir- beg leave TO address through the Speaker ,h
lew remarks on what told has lately fallen
III mat Honorable body respecting my conduct "a Public
t'nrr. II sin against the rules OF the House /, will
be through ignorance, not design For the Iso;.a,
oil Virginia, can have but one sentimeot-,nde = 49,
| OF its rules e ''o""o"
am ied 10 make these remarks be cause prze the
ounce wmch ioId but the good opinion which gave IL
nave lived without IT, and live without il sgain -
inc moment which calls for the eighties, sacrifice
OF my independence, shall part foeverVbut so long a.
40 hoiu ~ mean 10 discharge its duties faitI,fIvin
the words OF The oath Of office, faifhfuy impariiajI,
and justly according TO the best of my skill and ;ud
ment." " ' J""e-
am told, sir, that have been charged on the floor #
your mouse win delaying portion Of the public bIsi
ness, 10 suit my particular views or opinons tn
eFPec' whch ieei Tor The Legislature fobids INV deny-
ing the impu'ation in which my feelings ron,d AZ,
tate. scorn the act charged. ~ "'''
| IL the Bank Bill not executed in NV oF;.. :.
was because l could print It, The accmnv,
| ton oil the public work, during the present see
sion, mas been such as TO employ all nv hands AMI
materials Not so much public work has ever a a
conscienionsy persuaded, been ordered or erecn,J
as during the present session. I am sorry that ill.,
circumstance should have retarded any public worL
Dut the delay was inevitabIe. At the moment when ,
BANK bi TO for printing re was
W my once voluminous report from the Audo,'s de-
parment, comprising years OF the revenue of ~.
yoIuInnous Than any that has ever been printed I'm the
State, and which, verify believe, all the types in The
commonwealth cannot execute entire. With tIess ..
porte before me, and the journal continually pre sn C
publication, and other portions Of the public work Ser
moment expected, II impossible for me to nr;n, ~
Bank bill-and Mr.. MHnford was pronpIv iofornat -
the fact. But did every thing in nv poyyer q, e.,
another printer, and 10 accelerate his
him, in the meantime, responsible not 10 me- but Inv hi
own receipt, to Mr.. Munford NV '"'' ny MS
As to The oher fact, alleged 10 have been stated IN ~
hocr, p'edge my honor, that ignorant of the de-
'crip'ion OF y pc In which il was printed nn,I % az
| ia IN ,l..s