Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1843-03-16
For ,he staun,on Spccta,or.

Capt. HARPER-l read in your last paper com,nuni-
cation from "some Of my friends begging leave through
that mcdum TO present the people Of Augusta,
proper pcrsoa TO represent them in the Lcgsla
turc After setting forth correctly, far they pre-
my qualifications in manner hattering to
me, that they indeed all they profess 90 be- they
call upon me to auswer the claims oi my friends" At
the same time that can but feel pleased that any por-
ton of my fellow citizens should deem we worthy Of
station honorable and responsible tho alluded
TO- SUM- feel reluctant especially thus early, to give
an unqualified assent TO their call Their numbers aud
general diffusion the county, as yet unknown
to mes and such calls ought usually any rate, be
the result of afall free interchange oopnion among
whole people, as nearly practicable leave il my
friends acting upon these principles, to their dis
creuon at future day about announcing rs a cand
date am not quite cautious and polite however,
to expect them to ascertain that be elected that
they should be satisfied that there is within the limits
the county body Of voters who favorable uc,
respectable IN numbers to make desrable that o
Porfunty should be- afforded them at the polls Of giving
expression to their wishes and Of exercising their
husncc Ter the procurement OF their choice
will add further in relation TO my political princ-
pies, that should be put i'm nomination and elected,
the most decided principle of my legislative action would
be, the full of my capacity influence entire
~ TO discard from that body all consideration and
cusson of federal relations That has been the prolific
source of more time and money absolutely lost and squan
dercd than other topic that before them And
Is OF annual occurrence. Every winter there is
least one, and often two three times that number
OF federal questions n be discussed which the orators
OF the House, in quest Of fame and political distinction
come with specchcsi had liked TO have said volumes
written outthc gradual Accommodations of the whole
vious ycar-or the PURPOSE Of display aud il other
opportunity afforded hcm string Of abstract propo-
sons resolutions relation TO the General Govern
ment introduced fran ned fit their speeches.
This prodigal system Of l,gislaon need repeat,
meets my most decided rcprobation In times like these
when the is laborine and grooming under heavy
weight OF dcbt-when tho march of internal Improve
mcnts has To sudden halt for The of funds
TO advance them, when and rigorous system
ton has just sen fastened upon the neccssa-
ry demands OF the govcrnmvnt-whCn private fortunes
are shattered and the cries Of suffering and embarrassed
people bcsicgng the halls of the Legislature and
asking for relief to the staying of that process
which has gone forth from urtS oil justice with per-
haps but single short interrup)p from the foundation
| OF our government; i say under these circumstances
the order of the day should be Economy. And where
economzc than in shortening the sessions OF
our legislature, and how shorten them
ccssiuy than by limiting the wild range of debate to
the affairs and the interests of the
people, themselves at least with the assistance of the
agents they have appointed for that purpose take
good of the General Government. Nor is the evil
which have been deprccatng confined to the loss
time and money but iii these exciting deb ,cs, the two
parties in the House become heated and cmbttcred
towards one another, by the Incorporate zeal and reck
less vitupcraon oil their respective champions that moth
ing like union and OF action be had between
thcm dor dcyisng the best and speedcst of &C
comprising the only business they attend to-
Divided counscl and aggrav acd JUDGES reign thro
out che entire session. whilst the interests of the
swallowed up those of the Union, and the CON-
plexon of parties impaired questions of gcnc
al interest and universal operation DO mol deem nc
cessary sir, under existing circumstances TO occupy
greater space in valuable paper than have already
done. entertain opinions that would wish 10 con-
ces to them, and defend them too if .ccssary to
the best OF my humble abilities.
Very respectfully, SC.
| CHAPMAN JOHNSON. jr.