Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1841-01-19
To he Editors of N. Hhi-.

Gentlemen In looking over your paper see !,
recommended TO the Senators of Virginia to INQUIRE
INTO the constitutional eligibility Of the members of
Their own Sody, instead OF adiouInins three ,yseEs
Tor Christmas holidays-and your remarks seem TO
he directed towards the honora bic Senator from
Cu'peper, II being strongly suspected that he h,s
Oee"r ana SUI Is, interested In some contract or
contracts for the transportation Of tho mail
u an investigation of this kind should be institu
ted' II seems 10 me that the benefits Of such an in
vestsauon should be extended to other honorabl.
senators Tor strongly suspect that there are other
senators who hold their seats i'll violation of the
Constitution and Laws Of Virginia
The trainers of the Constitution Of VIRGINIA ,v.
desirous OF preventing the Federal Executive C,on,
exercising an undue influence over the State officers.
To prevent which, they wisely provided that no per
son should be eligible to hold an ofice under The
SIa'e Government, who at the same time held any
appointment or office Of profit under the Federal
Government. The object Of this probibition ,VDs IN
Keep pure the ermne OF Justice and particula,l,,
the legislative body, thereby preventing the law
makers oil The State from being operated upon by
gS'r'neous influences IN their legislative action
lie Legislature have the right, and IL is their dn,v
10 appoint Senators 10 protect the RIGHTS NJ ,bs
STATES and surely those that make these npnoint-
ments, should be free from Executive influence
Now, as one OF the People, would respectfully
inquire OF the honorable Senator from the Monon.
e'.ia District whether he has not been directly or
indirectly interested in contracts for the transnort
ton oi the mail for years-whether he has not sold
out, seeond-handed otherwise contracts for IN.
transportation Of the mail since he was elected n
senator OF the virginia Legislature, If rot in his
own name, IN the name Of some other oerson 50
that he, the honorable Senator, was the beneficial
Piry-and whether such sale or sales have NOT
oeen approved OF or acquiesced in by the Post OF
nee Department.
The time is close at hand when abuses of this kind
can be exposed TO public view, and doubt not bnt
that II will be found that many Of our State oacers
VINO express great love for Democracy and the
rights Of the States, will be found to have sold ,hem
selves 10 the Federnl Executive for mess of NOT.
tage. f''
] hope under the new Administration. that s,scu.
iaton upon mail Contracts will I've disspnroved ~
ana that we shall not contracts for the tronsnor
iauon OF the mai divided amongst a few pouci,ns
hnd by them sold out ut profit to persons who
ought 70 nave mad the contract IN the FIRST instance
perlntend its execution.
have heard Of a notable instance Of an nttsnnnt
OF one OF the Federal mail contractors Of hi, roun
~ interfering with the commissioners at one of our
oISrct elections, (SnoJgrss,) and threatening to
ay violent hands upon one Of the commissioner
who IS an aged and highly respectable mani for
dong his duty, rs the law requires he should do.
~ judging Of the rights Of persons to exercise the
right Of suffrage
call upon the public press to discoun,ennnee
and howh down all attempts Of this kind, come
from what sourc hey may. The Jullies under The
Administration Of the elder Adams, ATTEMPTED 10
control the right oi suffrage by violence and mimi
Jaion, and We have seen the Ike attempt under the
redemi Loco Foco Administration Of Martin Van
Buren,.
Let the Federal ofiee-hoIders attend 10 the duties
oi thef office or appointment, but do not let them.
~ force and violence, inumldato the voters NJ the
polls, or those who, by law, gre authorized 10 So.
perintond the election.
And hope, for the honor and glory Of our good
90 Commonwealth, that the patriotic members Of
The senate Of Virgins who have not sold themselves
oouf fedeTal rulers Of Washington, will institute
an inquiry ~ T. the constitutional eligibility of the
members tbcrcof-and that ", upon inquiry, !,
should be found that nny Of the members Of their
BODY hold their seats IN violation Of the Coostitu.
Ton and Laws Of the State, that they will scharge
mem ION the service Of the State until their disa.
D'lues are removed One Of the Psopls.