Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1839-02-28
From the -llsraadria Ga.eiis.
HON. JAMES m MASON.

In the last Charlestown Virginia Free
Press. the following letter. addressed to
the editor Of that paper. is published.
Here follows in the Gazette Mr. Ma,on's let
ter which appeared in the Free Press of the I4,h
inst
The tone and manner Of the above let
ter, would fully justify US in replying to
II In corresponding strain Of harsbness
But ~e do not choose. because Mr.. Ma.
son has done US gross injustice. to forget
that respect which 10 due TO his station.
and which also. IS due to ourselves. IL
will DO sufficient for our purpose 10 place
the facts Of the case before the public.
and II these facts, in the issue which has
thus been made up, between Mr.. Mason
and ourselves. and which bis constituent,
ara now 10 try. do not completely put him
tors dc combat, we will, without q mur.
muir. submit 10 the condemn alton Of our
judges.
And. first, II will be proper to quote the
article, on which Mr.. Mason Comments.
and which has so much provoked him.
as to call forth his unnecessary letter.
That article was as follows:
In the list of ayes and noes. on the vote 10 an
point the Investigating Committee Of the House
Of Representatives, by ballot, we are SURPRISED to
see the name OF Mr.. James VI. Mason recorded
IN the negative. THIS We did no, expect from
his whole course, and especially after the re-
marks ne made IN answer TO Mr.. Cambreieng
few days ago. He advocated thea certainly an
election OF the Committee by the HOUSE and
not by The Speaker. We are aware that the vote
was on the motion TO stnke out viva yoce and
insert by "baliot;" and Mr.. VI. may have pre-
ferred the viva voce mode. Bur, under
stand the case, according to the decision Of the
Speaker on the point of ORDER had the viva yoce
plan been adopted, It would have required ma
Ioriy Of two-IhirdS To have passed the r.sou-
uon-and thus, the whole investigation might
have been defeated. So that, IN effect, the vote
for the ballot, became the test vote. We make
these remarks, because our disappointment in
Mr. MS vote has. we know, been shared by
others, who are his friends aud constituents
Now. ve ask any candid. unprej udiced
man. II he sees any thing unkind, unfair,
or improper IN this sniclel Does it con.
tain, even. any harsh structure upon MIR.
Ms vote. Ii simply stated that Mr..
Nj. speech In reply to MIR. Caubreleng
had led Us to expect that be would have
voted differently from what be did-tha,
we were disappointed. therefore, in bis
vote; that, 70 doubt. .Dr. NJ . preference
for The uiva roee mode, vaS he reason Tor
his vote but, that considering the actual
state Of the case, that preference nigh,
have endangered the whole inquiry, and
defeated the proposed investigation. II
~, for Publishing this article, not one word
Of which Mr.. Mason can gsinssy. that hs
has thought proper TO accuse US Of mis-.
ESr0enfiag" him
hut mark how plain tale shall put the
a -
-" lined soul
That struggling To b free Is more engaged.
What did he. in reality. say in this "a.
nous reply TO Mr.. Cambrsleng on the oe
cision referred to- lie said -
4, one ssko should sois for ~ spyoiaimeaf e5
Ccms,iii,s ~ BALLOT-Nf. NJ. cared not 81
What political complexion the pecnlsiors nigh
be- the American Peopie disclaimcd ibc ides
that public trusts were only Go h. eouhded Z
iho,e vho we're Of one particular way Of think
ing N politics.
Again. he said -
Ne he'd ssis H. ,Aoaid rois Ter eoamiiisS 40
poiHisd nv BALLOT. u was not needful Ia
he should disciaim the belief .hat a proper com
mulse would not b. appointed BY The presidtul
eiicer Of the House, n he should be enirusie.
with that duty. for he entertained no such belief
bat h. would vouch fOf u. that the partisan pres
m opposition 70 the Administrator, wouid M
fat, be- The complexion Of the eonfnsiiee What
might, 70 attribute ia appointment 70 wrong mo
htcs. Let the committee, ihen, ~ appointed D
such way that no such suspicious could b. "a
tersined win any color Of reason.
Again he said
For one, n vss desiross n eSnualffss sppoi's
"a BY BALLOT, IN order that the Amsrcs
People might feel assured that u would be suc
commiitce, and conduct the iBqairy IN such
manner a. should secure 70 them he ethcier
protection Of this House.
Again. be said -
The gsndem a had asked, II the Commits
should b- appointed By ballot, Who woald he p
sponsble Tor IL A most extraordinary qaestis'
Who wouh ~ responsiblei Whai' did .
frnllrman mean % throw out ths iunpaiatio
MAJ any commiuse q this House feposod it,
"A u,