Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-12-15

served with his his shoulder ia the Of the
counirys defenders BY trade he printer and be
had followed that business all his life and
passed him in skill, prompncss and accuracy OF these
facts stronger proofs wanted than the fact that
for many years while Thomas Richie the nominal
Public Printer, Shepherd the actual officer, and per-
formed the duties TO the satisfaction Of all concerned
which Thomas Richie was duly praised-and il now
pretended that Shepherd capable OF filling the
Office; Mr.. Gregory knew very little, personally of
MIR. Shepherd--he had not known him until last year;
but he had proved himself faithful public officer and
he had rendered services 10 his counry--so that
while rewards the order OF the day, MIR c. did not
know any man better entitled TO be rewarded than MIR s.
lie presumed, II MIR. s. here asking for pc nsion
he would be fair candidate; but candidate for
ton IN which he could ably the State, his claims
were to be postponed-so argued genemento those of
partzan Editor This contest seemed most absurd
The Legislature wants to perform IA mechanical
duty-a mechanic is offered, in whose capacity every
has perfect condolences but instead of electnp him
we arc told, that must elect Editor OF
who has no more knowledge of printing than he has OF
any other mechanical trade But this absurdy is 10 be
tolerated, because this inefficient candidate is jealous
leader OF the triumphant party III the people Of Virgil
MA satisfied that this thing shall be done, they
fully prepared to be slaves. The press is gradually be-
coming more and more corrupt, BY the fundamentally
oil rewards, in the shape OF offices and sinccures,
most reckless conductors. lie sorry perceive
Tie course which the Administration party taking
In this atair-Ihis the very issue which he wished
10 make up, between the people and the Legislature
lie wishedto know how far the people felt interested in
rewarding the Editor of the Enquirer, and whether they
were willing that he should receive this office The
exclusion Of hard working mechanic. Mr. G.. sup
his conscience dicta,ed-a not one of his immed-
ate constituents had found fault with him for it. But
all the Administration men had complained OF him, be-
cause he was against Tom Rlichienot because he
against the country-O nothat would Ina We been
ter OF minor importance Mr. G. could how the
House could reject Shepherd without violating sound
republican princple-that the emolumcnt should be
given To the who does the lcbor--and they knew
that Richie could not do it, But he would ask, whe-
the eyes of people? WHAT incentive would there
be to honest industry if the public work, for which
every good printer has right 10 be competitor
Is to be given as reward TO violent politicians on
party considerations alone? What they going to
say to The young mechanics who growing up the
Stale DO we not, by such decision, tell them that
politics IS the only honorable and profitable trade and
that is useless for them to perfect themselves in their
BUSINESS to be made the diudges and of
party man?
When Mr. G. asked gentlemen, why they were intent
upon turning out MIR Shepherd, their answer was 'why
you did wrong IN putting him in last ycar-we are very
sorry, but we must redress that wrong. 1T was wrong
10 turn out Mr. Richie because he had been SO long in
the office. and had never been turned before But MIR
VI. doubted very much whether, if Mr. Richie had ne
yer been candidate before and first applied for the
Office single man would for him. The fact of his
being an editor and not printer would be sufficient TO
prevent his obtaining But having held the office
many years, sharing the profits and performing none of
the duties il is therefore saidnot argued for no ar
ment be founded on such folytat il must be
to him again. When the Farmers in the country come
TO view this matter i'll its proper light they will form
correct opinion upon it. When they come TO see that
Shepherd is discharged from the Office because he is
chanc, and TO make way for who knows nothing
OF the busness-hey Will think that injustice has been
DONE and VIII be no consolation TO them he told that
partzan editor has been rewarded But gentlemen tell
that guilty of prescription at the last Session
that having The power in the hands of our party we
mndc unmercul of it prescribe our opponents
We were guilty of two mighty of proscri pton-
and what were they Why we turned out Tom
Richie aud put in Sam Shepherd as Public Printer
and we turned out one honorable gentleman and put in
another Councillor of State. This was all orr nro
scripon-this the "head and front our
But do gentlemen intend assume that men are 10 hold
offices during their natural lives as a right If not
for great number of years, and when good reasons
were presented for giving ii To another man. he had no
right To complain. But, supposing did wrong last
year-is tins proceeding to cure that wrong Win
1t redress the wrong of last year TO do another
this? If Shepherd has failed in his duty-say so If
there IS any harm in him, let know it, He was Sc
ected for his business talents and good character alone
and ms election had no political objection he was a
printer and politician Had been the wish of those
who voted for She herd 10 make use of this office for
SAID by the gentleman from Abcmare, we might nave
elected party Edor--we had Editor on our side
who might have served that purpose, and TO whom Nj
o. presumed the salary Of the Office would have been ac-
ceptable.
In every point ofview, Shepherd was more deserving
oil this office than Richie. He had done more for his
country, whether IN the field, or in his office He knew
was IN vain to appeal to mems when the pas
sons had the sway; but he had hoped that gentlemen
would come here, cooly determined to for the best
As to MIR Shepherds political sentiments, Mr. G. did
not know them and he doubted whether any one here
could tell him what they 1t was not a question
OF much Importance, so long he possessed the qual
cations for the Office. MIR. c. hoped that the House
bring himself to believes that they would elect an editor
paper, IN preference 10 practical mechanic TO fill the
post of Public Printer.
(T0 be continued)