Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-12-19


appoint committee to examine the facts he would en-
gage to prove, that Thomas Richie had not, during the
number OF years he had mentioned performed the duties
OF the ohce either in experimenting the printing, in
Mr. WATKINS asserted that Mr. r.. did examine the
proof-sheets.
Mr. DORMAN thought the gentleman from Gooch-
land did not make this his own know
but from what he had heard.
Mr. WATKINS said that he inserted il from what he
had heard from the Speaker of the House
Mr. DORMAN said, that in his public capacity last
year. he obtained evidence, not only from Mr.. Richie
HIMSELF but from others, and he pledged hmselfto prove
that with the exception of cases of Mr. Shepherds sick
ness, Trip TO the Springs, or in examining the Cover
nor Message at the commencement of the session. Mr.
h did not examine the prooshees-an that with the
latter exception, MIR did any time put his foot
IN the Office during the session of the Legislature Mr.
Doman pledged hnselo prove this if he were allowed
MT WATKINS said, that since the gentleman from
hockbdge had brought up this question: he would say,
mat he had evidence satisfactory To himself and he be-
eved t-tha Mr. r. did occasionally examine the proof
Sheets and that therefore both of the gentlemen were SUI
pernendents Certainly Mr. Shepherd was not the la
oossr' Tor no one pretended that he set the types.
Mr. DORMAN was glad that the gentleman had pared
Gown ms statement TO the fact, that Mr.. Rche did
oasohaIiy examine the proof sheets MIR ID. stated in
nus specihcaton that Mr.. II. did occasions
perform that duty-and this the ground on which
he put his remarks, that Mr. r. did not habtuay per
form any part of the labor of the Office On the contra.
was Mr. Shepherds daily duty TO examine
them and to his correctness the House owed the
creoltable performance of the public printing, at the
time when the merit was bestowed on MIR. Richie The
gentleman from Goochland at the statement tina,
MT % was practical printers but MIR ID could but
perceive IN that fact the strongest ndaon of
Mr. s. He in reality practical printer for he had
followed that business all his life with the exception of
short period during the war; when he shouldered his
musket and marched into the wilds of Canada After
his return, he went into business with Mr. Richie and
from that time was at the head of the firm of Samuel
ohepherd ~ Co, carrying on large business, which
embraced not the public printing only but other PRINTING
TO large amount-whle during all that time Mr. r. has
been at the head of party newspaper totally
wi he printing Thus conducting another md entire
y distinct business shared the profits the public print
ing as well as the other printing done in the office per.
formed entirely under the superintendent of
but MIR. d. would not detain the House However Gen
temen here might be induced act he could veniure
TO say that the honest yeomanry of the country would
not sustain them in turning the laborer to place in
Office one who did not perform the duties of his station
On the contrary he believed that, il the question was re-
erred to the people whether they would give an office
requiring mechanical skill and experience TO a partizan
Editor or TO laboring they would sayeect some
mechanic OF your own party, you WILL but do give
IL TO mere parzan, who has qualification for the
station and nothing to recommend him but the zeal and
violence of his political writings He did not be.
iIeve there was in the community, unbiased
on this question: and fully understanding its merits
who would not say that the office ought to be given
to the honest, industrious mechanic, recommended as
ne has been by gentlemen this floor, and known
TO possess all the qualities required. They had heard
much of late of Democracy and Aristocracy. The De.
mocrat would say give TO the laboring the reward
oil his labor; the Arsocat might say, give il Richie
as he, in point of worldly station, would probably be
classed with the Aristocracy.
MIR. ID. would allude some remarks which had
fallen from the gentleman from Goochland and which
he had heard with regret. That gentleman asks who
is Samuel Shepherd And speaks of his bav in0 becn
made the tool OF party, to supplant Mr. Rchie-im-
plying that he had been guilty of ngrattude in having
consented to become candidate He hoped the gen.
teman said these things his own responsibility and
not on that of Mr.. Richie
Mr.. WATKINS did say what said on nv own
TesPonsI6Ilty say nothing on the responsibility of
Mr. DORMAN resumed. If the gentleman from
Goochand knew Mr. Shepherd and his feelings towards
Mr.. Rltchie he could not have insinuated that Mr. 8
irue thatM
gratitude TO Mr.. r., but it also true that Mr.
owed gratitude TO Mr.. S. The benefits conferred bv
heir connection in business had been mutual Nor was
nlr shepherd man who wanting in gratitude =
Mr. d. ventured TO say that if his feelings had been
alone consulted he never would have been nominated
Tor ts oce 1t was unnecessary into particular
detail OF facts this head; but such detail would be
found to reflect honor upon MIR. s. Mr. ID would tres.
pass no farther having extended his remarks only for
the purpose of defending Mr.. Shepherd from what he
thought an illibern imputation.
Mr.; WATKINS said, his principle was when he
uhited hinsef with man. to go with him TO the end
and ne believed that, had Mr. Shepherds feelings been
consulted he would not have opposed Mr. Richie: but
he allowed himself to be made the tool of party for the
ieoVa oil MS partner IN the public printing which
tanly seemed to Mr. w. a censurable course In vbo,
ne mad SAID he had not spoken from the prompting of
MT htchle he was liable to- and content receive
all the anathemas of the Wing party his own account
Mr. PRENTISS said, he of the unfortunate
majority OF last year, who voted for Samuel Shepherd
ne dId so then, because s. n mechanic and Mr.
hked Nun Tor he was mechanic himself After he had
voted for Shepherd at that period he met Mr. r. in The
s''""u pctO" anu what 90 you THINK he said? He said
TO me Tins day you have dug the grave of Gales and
Seaton!" lie spoke, and 10! il has come TO pass lie
predicted, that his being turned of office woud be
resenedb by the Republican party-that they would paw
II upon Their enemies And he was right lie knew The
principle upon which his party acted And do Won
know where that principle came from? will tell Won
Ii came from Martin Van Buren, Early in his service
OF The Jackson party he devised scheme for what h
called the improvement Of the condition of the press
In ii Senate OF the u. States in 1927 when The snb
ec of the election of printer for the Senate was
der consideration he announced that "the condition of
me press, as well here elsewhere must be improved
The Improvement he contemplated has been going on
under Jackson Administration to this day. We have
seen its operation in various instances-and the election
OF Thomas Ritcbe this day, will be among the fruits Of
that great Improvement"
MIR. STANAltD rose to make a statement which ,yos
due to the character of Mr. Shepherd and which world
snow that modesty was among the many good qualities
possessed by him. Mr. Shepherd had never spoten ono
word 10 MIR. s. this subject; aud all he (NIr Stonar
had said IN his behalf he had been induced 10 say in con-
sequence OF the position in which he stood towards him
ME- Stanard had nothing to to the other nominee.
he had desire TO render this discussion personal f
her than justice required Blu. he could not patiently
keep his seat when the gentleman from Goocbland " no
stands here the peculiar of the Democratic
party presumed TO taunt Mr. Shepherd as the mental of
thomas titche Is this the Democracy which is to be
dInused throughout the andi is the man who has fifth
rally performed the duties Of public Office To be sneer
ed at as "menial because he is not connected with
The political aspirans of the day? Because he is not ss
ained ~ luxury and case by the profits of siDecure
bestowed Tor party services? Mr.. Watkins dsayoU.
ed The intention Of speaking in conemptnous language
OF MIR Shepherd Is IL 10 be borne, that man who
mas served another shall be treated with contnmev
because he has the presumption TO aspire TO an oices
snail he be branded with the odous term of me nj.
al and his presumption treated with contempt when
ne asks Tor an Office the duties Of which he is eminent
~ htied To perform, and for which he has the nm
oouD'ed right to be competitor Mr. S. did not wish to