Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-12-15
VIRGINIA. LEGISLATURES.
DEFERRED DEB.aTE.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES THURSDAY, Dec


The joint order of the day, being the election of Pub
lie Printer for year, taken up.
On motion of Mr.. STANDS, the House proceeded 10
the consideration of the joint ORDER and the Senate was
informed of the same.
Mr.. STANDS said he rose to bring 10 the notice of
the House. as candidate for the Office now abont 10 be
filed the name of Thomas Richie Mr. r. was for a
series of years the public printer the Commonwealth
during which time he served it faithfully in that capac-
ty At the last session of the Legislature reasons
novel IN their character and to MIR s. totally unsatisac
tory, MIR. r. was removed He hoped it would now be
the pleasure of the House him. and thereby
show to the people of Virginia, that the bcsowal of an
office merely ministerial was not TO be operated opon by
political views.
MIR S'rANARD said he would present to the House
the gentleman who had during last year performed
the duties of Public Printer Mr.. Samuel Shepherd
The duty which MIR. S. was performing properly
appertained 10 him the immediate representative Of
that gentleman He had had opportunity of know
ing MIR. Shepherd-his reputation--hs character and
his qualifications for the office He took il for granted
objections had been offered to MIR S. on this floor
that he free from all repioach the manner in
which he had performed the duties of the Office. He
presumed on that ground objection would be offered
to him. The duties of the Office itself mainly me-
chanca-and Mr. s. had by regular service in his voca
tOn specially prepared himself for their performances
1t 10 be observed furthermore that the practical u
ties of the office bad been for years performed by MIR
Shepherd while nominee of The gentleman from
Prince George, the incumbent. MIR. s. had during
long period been the working of the station on
whom the duties devoved and whom especially be-
longed whatever praise due for the proper perform
ance of the work Besides these facts-Mr Shepherd
an individual was worthy and estmable free from
ton as public officer. Mr. Stannrd knew how vain il
when party feeling had been excited, and political
Office to be supplied, 10 expostulae with that feel
ing of partizan preference which occasions as
the form Of political prescription. And If this was
Office in which ind yidusl ght exercise the small.
est degree of influence on the political balance as il
termed he should look for appealing to the
majority of the House stay the feelings of party on this
OCCASION But when office is TO be filed, which cannot
operate upon poitcs-wh the public is to be served
not by the politics Of the officer, but by his labor M s
thought he might found such an appeal on the grounds
public justice and proPety asking of the majority 10
consider alone the qualifications of the candidate for the
performance ofbis specific duties Under such crcum.
stances, he thought he could consistently ask of them
not to put aside the man who IS qualified for the office
and place it, in effect sinecure the hands Of no
litca parzan. Mr. ). asked genteInen if that shirt
which had existed was never to ceasewas there 10 bc
returning 10 the consideration OF the public service
and of public justice, in the bestowa of oicesf He ask
ed them, whether they could stand before their consti-
taents-not before band of pariZans, but udepend
ent and loving peopleand rindicate their con-
duct in giving this office 10 patzan who has no Claims
qualifications TO recommend him, beyond those arsing
out ofhis political opinions and excrons and reject
ing individual who has all tho qualifications required:
who has filed the Office with credit, and against whom
there IS no shade CT Objection lie trusted that these
considerations would not be without their weight -
He trusted there feeling here which would re.
spond TO them. There was time when MIR 8 was ror
nerly member of this Legislature when he could have
appealed 20 such feeling. He trusted that such feel
ing still remained in some degree--fhai The prucnle or
justice would not be dIsregorded--that Offices would
not be scattered forth rewards TO aborers in the cause
Of party, in the spirit of the modern political maxim,
"that the sp0s belong To the VlcOrs He
the qualifications OF the candidate to BE- ampled
under foot, the zeal of the partzan
the only qualification required, in merely mechanical
oice.lt seemed, indeed, 10 be carrying such a prnct
pie a dangerous length, when office from which no
political influence could flow should be made prize
10 be dispensed TO individual who deserved well of HE
party 70 the total disregard ohe higher claims ofanotber
candidate presented to this house for its preference
Sir, said Mr. 3, the time will eome--f we are not on
the of stupendous clange-egen The feelings
Of the passing moment viii have subsded-and when
the people will Judge these things on the prineipIcg 81
iustceand unless there can be total perversion 81 l
public mind defy the gentlemen who support tbe mo-
innee Of the member from Prince George TO show Then
that they have adhered TO justice IN bestOwng this Office
on their candidate, when another before them so
much better qualliicdwith Che perfect cerfainV-
great degree snecure. The people may for fine lao
hurried by the heat Of party excitement but sbeo
must ultimately view the acts Of their in
their true light-Ihcre must time whom Ill.,,
transactions Of the day will be- dispassionaclv eonicn
plated, and Judged Of IN spirit Of oandor undsurhsd
by party heat or temporary excitement
Let me call the attention Of tle House to some other
considerations, not less important. 10 would seem even
party considerations that there were arguments which
might influence gentlemen 10 arrest The fccliD0 under
which they acting. the very case now before
the House We well know, Mr.. Speaker, the violent
state OF political cOnvulon Or IL has almost apo.
10 tba) m which this State las been involved We cell
know The very especial part which has been acted in e
struggle by the nominee Of The gentleman from Prnce
George. In the course Of that struggle il Ia foe, f
said, that the zeal manifested by th6t individual III ai
tanning the Of bis pnry founded on veGsL "a
mercenafy motges--that DC looked 20 the enov,et ~
the emolumens Of Office as consequence Of the nye
dominance Of his parfyand hat to this consjder.t;oo
were the sources Of his exeriions TO be traced NJ,
Stanard did not pretend 10 justify the accusation H.
imputation repelled The public was given 10 ,nd,
stand and the community assured, that al his zeal was
the dsinieffsed oblaon Of patriotism to the cause in