Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1834-12-09

naofa particular cast ofpotcs But Sir called to
elect printer, not public journalist; and have
thing To do with the politics Of either Mr. Richie Mr.
Shepherd. l make my selection the very grounds
designated by the gentleman from Botetourt-tlat MIR.
shepherd has Tor many years done the public printing,
and entitled himself 10 confidence by the neatness
accuracy and despatch with which he has executed it,
Gentenen seem TO forget that others have the right of
freedom of opinion, less than who may
happen to he candidate for Office, and that character
izing as prescription, vote against whose senti-
ments condemn, they put i'm practice against me the
very prescription which they denouncc-and that too,
with tendency infinitely more injurious than can be
charged To my voc--because i'm doing so they strike
blow at that elective franchise which constitutes the very
essence OF popular liberty and popular sovereignty But
SIR the weighest for my preference this par
tcuar case is that the candidate have presented
the conductor of newspapers while the other is-and
VIII always cndeavor, far my power extends, to
parate the public patronage from the public press be-
cause hold their union be in the highest decree
corrnpung and dangerous in its tendency. The
public press necessarily possesses most extensive
and commanding influences and in the exercise of
the high trusts committed to Us, il is duty to
deny TO II every thing that can possibly subsidze
fearful engine, TO uphold the Interests of any po-
iitical party. Let our public journals contend with
each other for popular favor and for extent of influence
by their ability, and by the dissemination of truth; but
So long have vote here, will lend il boil
ster up any one Of them, whether of my own or of the
opposite party. In reference to Mr. Richie personally,
no man of amy party be disposed to concede
to him than do the of private claractcr.-
rs man and gentleman entertain for him the high
est respect but were he OF party in politics.
could not give him my vote for this Office, long he
Is the conductor of public journal. cannot think
the union OF the press with the patron
age other than dangerous; and here pledge myself to
the extent of my humble Abilities (at cas attempt
divorce them. The question submitted to the con-
sideration of this House, whether they will elect
mechanic, who is honest faithful and capableor. whe-
sr they Will elect an ovcrsccr Tor him who powerful?
VIII you extend the patronage of government edi-
tor, and thus dsfranchise the efficient the humble me-
chanic? or viii you elect and encourage your mechanic
IN opposition TO the leader of political Journals, Cen
tlecn may call this aag name they
please, but it shall not deter from acting upon my
sense of duty, drive from grounds which have
deliberately adopted.
Mr.. Weher said, that extracts had been read from
the Journals OF proceedings six years ago.
when he member of the House, and was on the
committee by whom the resolutions referred to were re-
ported he felt 1T to be proper for him par
tculars of the evidence placed before the committee al
ludcd To iii such extracts He should do solely from
recoccons the general accuracy Of which he could an
swer for, though lac might in some of the minor de-
tails AT that time, charge had been made that the
public printer received than was Just for extra
printing; and to this point it that the investigation
OF the committee appointed the occasion ordered
to be directed II turned out that the charges for extra
printing higher than were customary and proper
during the investigation, Mr. Ramsay
amned, who then was in the Office of the Wing, and
between whom and the rival establishment to which
Mr. Shepherd belonged, there certainly no good
ieeling. lie stated that though the work might
be contracted for at lower this city, yet the pri-
ces charged, were not higher than MIR. Shepherd was
in the habit of receiving private work by reason of
his superior skill and promptitude MS a printer There
was another fact disclosed the investigation which de-
served notice Among all the numerous witnesses ex-
ahmed on both sides, at that time of high party excite
nent, there was not single individual who did APP
pear to take pleasure in testfyng the skill industry
and moral worth OF MIR. Shepherd. Others present
could recoect the same. Mr. Witcher again alluded
to the extracts from the journal which had been read
remarking that the public printing at this time
cuted with the neatncss and despatch there men
toned but that the whole credit then, well as now
was due TO Mr. Shepherd, who alone attended TO the
work. MIR. w. said he should give his for MIR.
Shepherd; and he would give information which
he had received on occasion of propounding to Mr. S.
s. certain queries to which he had required
IN that
date Ii would be recoleced that in the debate at the
election OF Public Printer last winter it stated that for
the 10 or ~ years during which the present public printer
mad held the Office, Mr. Shepherd had actually all
the printing, receiving for inadequate compensation
The facts were, that Messrs. Shepherd and Richie were
co partners, but Mr. Shepherd only the printer Mr.
ltltchie did not know type from another Mr. Shop
nerd would obtain the private printing executed the
once, IL nc mad no connection with Mr. Richie, while
Mr. itltchie could not obtain such work by himself
cause of his inability it, Mr. Shepherd con
sequenty brought the private printing done the Office
as his share of the capital stock while Mr. Richie only
broughtin INTO the the public printing given to him
by the Legislature amounting to between four and five
thousand dollars YET for many years past the private
work of the establishment had far exceeded in value the
amount received for the Public Printing; that for that
come OF the co,partnershp, than the entire
proceeds of all the public printing whilst he had
performed no portion of the abour. But it was on
that occasion said, that Mr.. Richie read the proof
sheets, and had the general SUPERINTENDENT of
the work He (NIr. Witcher) had called OH MIR.
shepherd on purpose to ascertain the facts in regard
to this, which these Some rs or l6 years ago
when Messrs Richie and Shepherd were i'm parnersip
with third person. who subsequently left the concern
an arrangement made, by which in addition to his
share oil the compensation OF the partners Mr.
RItce was to receive 800 for reading the proof sheets
oil the Public Printing; hut about IL years ago that task
somehow came to be actually assumed by Mr. Shepherd
who stIll performed IT, Yet Mr. Richie still continued
to receive the 500, though he read any proofs
and indeed rarely visited the office during the whole
session of the Legislature These facts had been elicit
ed from, not volunteered by, Mr. Shepherd In the
course of the nterrogatores by which they were elected
he (Mr. w had enquired the effect which the election
of one of the present candidates likely to have upon
their connection in business and ascertained i'm reply
that the contest of last winter had produced jealousy
between the paTesso much so, that if either of them
obtained the Office ut this election the successful cand
date would probably purchase out the other and so
the partnership would be dissolved. This was the
amount of the information which he (AIr. W. had
risen to give In reference to the cry of prescription
raised by the member from Botetourt, lie would ask
that gentleman if he did himself intend TO exercise
the same species of prescription in another contest which
was expected to take place before the present session
was at an end He cOntended however that the CHARGE
OF prescription did not apply to this election of printer
IL only applied where person turned out Of office
by an opposite party. But here, the law would turn
out the present incumbent the first of January next
Every citizen had right to be candidate and surely
whom he pleased, without being obnoxious TO Tho
charge of prescription. Indeed, prescription was inn
possible in the case-or it an election to an Of
fec expiring annually, and not held at pleasure
III had often been question with him. whether il was
wise Tor Virginia TO put of her hands, the very little
patronage which she held by the Constitution II
would seem that, her wealth poDula-