Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-03-16
GENERAL ASSEMBLY or VIRGINIA.
SENATE OF VIRGINlA-TL ursdaD. Starch TO-

SENATE OF VIRGINIA Thursdag, starch 10.
ELECTION OF COUNCILLOR or STATE.
Mr.. TOD sad he certainly had desire, Al this late
period Of the session. to he Instrumental in opening the
door 10 pro,racted dIscusson hut he should do yo.
ence to his own feelings and perhaps injustice TO the
Commonwealth, he TO observe silence the pre-
sent occasion Private friendship, well proper
regard for the faithful performance of his public duties
demanded that he should say, least few words, in
behalf of the gentleman who had been put in namlnn.
ton bv the Democratic party. Most of the members
Of The Senate we'll acquainted with Mr.. Byrd
MANY of them had personal knowledge OF the ctli-
Gent services rendered By him In lhe Stale during the
las, session of the General Assembly All had enjoyed
the benefit of his acquaintance during the present
sion, and lie fa;tered himself there were none who
would deny TO him The possession of superior qualihca
TONS both moral and Intellectual Nome could doubt
that he would discharge the duties Of this office with
credit 10 himself and advantage TO the State.
Mr.. T. had been on terms Of great intimacy with
Mr. b. during the present and tue last session Of the
legislature and afforded him great pleasure TO bear
his humble testimony 10 the high order Of his attain
mcnts. As gentleman, he was above reproacl-Pns-
sessing the incest OF honor and Tie most nnbend
ing integrity Of character. As scholar and lurist,
he was Justly entitled 10 rank with the first oil his
aye and experience IN the country. Indeed, SAID
Mr. Tod, his qualifications such as 10 leave,
in his opinion, donht upon the mind Of any gentle
man that, should he receive the appointment he would
greatly distinguish himsefn promoting the best inter
ests OF the Stale Mr. r. had cltcn listened 10 the
plants Of Western gentlemen OF the injustice done
their section Of the State in appointments made by the
Legislature. He hnd often beard them appealing 10
sectional feeling in behalf Of candidates for Office &c
ncrally speaking he had deprecated such course. be
ering that their complaints not founded in fact
lie willing, however, in the present instance To
admit the business Of their clam. lie believed it was
true that the West Ind enjoyed its due proportion
Of representation in The Executive department of the
Stae-at least the adoption Of the new Constitu-
ton. Since that period, he was not aware that any
Councillor Of State had been selected from TINT por
ton of the State lying west Of The Blue Ridge Of noun
tans The West had therefore now, If ever, rghtful
claim 10 the election of their own and he WAS
happy that they had brought forward man whom he
could take peculiar pleasure in supporting, because he
believed him peculiarly fitted for the office. As an
Eastern man, he really happy 10 have it in his
power TO do ample justice TO the West and he trusted
his course would convince gentlemen from the West,
that Eastern members capable Of surrendering
their local predlecions when the justice of The case
really demands the sacrifice. This election, SAID
Mr. Tod, is now in the power of Western gentlemen.
If they are sincere in their complaints, and would be
true TO themselves, they could now place Western
gentleman of undoubtcd character and qualifications
in the Executive council II on the other hand, these
appeals made but 10 secure certain party ends by
the aid of sectional feeling, that fact will, III all proba
bilty be made apparent in this election, and gentlemen
NAV consider themselves hereafter forever cstopped
from renewing their appeals 10 Eastern men. Mr.. 7.
trusted they were sincere and that it would be cvlnced
By their unanimous support Of the gentleman now pre-
sentcd 10 him No man could, hr honestly believed,
offer any objection to him. He was both honest and
capable Mr. T. not himself DESTROYS Of invo-
king any sectional feeling in this election II was
was very far from his intention Ills only desire was
10 tender to Western gentlemen candidate from their
own country-une xceptonable, in every respect, and
altogether capable Of sustaining in the Executive De-
partmen of The State, the peculiar interests OF their
section of the country lie hoped they would avail
themselves of the offer, and that the Commonwealth
minht be favored with the able services of Richd E.
Byrd.