Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-02-06

The counties Of Clarke and Hampshire.
Also, OF ciliZsn ms OF the county OF Clarke, for
the passage Of an act 10 be applicable 10 said
county only, 10 Impose a lax upon dogs, under
certain circumstances.
The joint order Of the day, which had for its
obyectlLe election Of certain officers OF Govern
ment, was taken up.
Mr.. PENDLETON moved to suspend the rule
OF The House, in order tina, lhe vote might be Ia
ken upon the election OF al! The officers al the
same time.
MI GOODWIN opposed The Suspension Of the
rule. He wished 10 place in nomination ire
names of certain gentlemen as successors 10 the
present incumbenlS. He did not approve OF The
coalition between The Wings and a portion OF The
Democratic party.
Mr. PENDLETON cid not know By what
process The gentleman arrived al the conclusion
that he would be deprived oil the privilege Of no.
minating any candidate by the suspension OF the
rule. lie would treat with merited contempt any
%al!usi~n 10 a coalition. He had no doubt OF the
reelection OF the presen! officers, and his only oh.
ject was 10 save the time Of The House.
Mr.. HARVlE was IN favor OF the election OF
lie piesento officers, and thought tina, the division
ot lhequestlon would produce unnecessary delay.
MI. MCPHERSON said that a suspension OF
The rule would mol prevent opposition TO The re-
election OF certain Of the officers, and no time
would be saved.
MI. pENDLEToN wiihdrrw his motion.
The House then proceeded 10 the election OF the
Auditor of Public Accounts.
Mr.. CHlNN nominated James L. Heath, Esq.
he spoke in high terms Of his qualifications Tor
The office, of his experience, ability and fidelity in
The discharge of his duties.
Mr.. GOODWIN nominated Henry L Hopkins,
Esq. He did not doubt that Colonel Hopkins
would be most acceptable 10 the Democratic
Party. That party was entitled 20 some share in
the public offices. No man has ever done more
10 promote The success OF the Wing Parry than
Mr.. Heath. He was a constant contribu or 10
the Wing journals, a b~rawling politician, and
had written a Play, which was exhibited at
the theatre in Richmond, buTlesquing The De-
mocratic Party, and representing lis members as
rowdles and blackguards. II had been said that
The success ofthe Democratic Party, al the Spring
Elections, would be endangered by turning out
these officers. Democrats who would shrink from
The course he recommended, would not be respect
ed in his county. II is also said that offence
would be given TO The citizens of Richmond. To
this he would reply, that he was not 10 be seduced
b. bright eyes or sparkling champagne from a
! fearless discharge OF his duly.
Mr.. KlRTLEY said, that when he came to
the House, il was very far from his intention 10
say a word on this subject. Upon this question,
ne WOuu lake the position mat peCdIle dU UbuO-
bic man, and no one on that floor, of any party,
should hold him responsible for his course. Gen.
tlemen are a~rraigned before this House upon
grave charges affecting their standing as public
officers, and who arc their accusersl Where, sir,
is the evidence Of their guill2 There is The accu-
ser, and here is their defender. Let earth, crea-
ton, and heaven know, that none shall be con-
demned without a hearing. He would never
vote to remove a Wing from office, who was
faithful in The discharge ofhis duties. II you de-
clare tina, public officers shall be prescribed for
their political opinions, will you not destroy all
independence of character2 II such are the in.
t%entions OF the Democratic party, they are much
mistaken in This man kirliey Where such a
man as James L. Heath Is 10 be voted for, be he
Wing or Democrat, kirtley is he man.
Mr.. MCPHERSON said that, whenever a
Wing and a Democrat, OF eqaal qualifications,
were presented before him as candidates Tor any
office, he would always select The latter. II is
Just, when The Democratic party is in the ascen.
dancy, that there should be an equal distribution
OF offices. Where is The advantage Of a political
triumph, il no change is made in the officers OF
Government Do these officers exercise no in.
iuence upon pariicsl If they permitted all the
offices 10 be held by Wings, would this mol be an
Involvement with many 10 become Wings? There
are but seven Democrats out OF the one HUNDRED
S SaSe f 1gss 0i ti ine IF , G9g y fg nro mhsse ,s Sii sss:
UdbG OSC1 al iliO liiJuCu1C v llOiiOc htN ob~-
cess OF their party. The ~ulterior object Of al
parties is promotion. Democrats are continually
applying to the Presiden OF The United States IL
turn out Wings, while they have not the frmness
themselves TO take this stand publicly. This
course would strengthen The parry in the Spring
elections. They do not now propose 10 turn out
any officers; but, their terms having expired,
thew would elect Democrats. The Wings, when
in The ascendancy, have not hesita,ed to remove
.n,.,r, Frn,, nN,ro II vvoe bn, E,ir Ibot tho
Democratic party should have al least two Of
these Offices. He only spoke Tor his party, against
which the influence OF these offices had teen
used.
Mr.. PENDLETON said, i, was evident that
a portion Of The Democratic party was deter
mined, If possible, 10 remove the present incum.
bents. An effort was about 10 he made 10 intro
duce a system which he regarded as a great pub
lie calamity; a system, according 10 which, com
potency waste be no claim 10 Office. MIR. Heath's
official acts for the last twenty-five years were
before the country. he would defy any gentle
man to place his hand upon a single exceptions
BILE ACT in his official capacity. He had nothing
10 say against Col. Hopkins. We are asked,
because The Democratic party is in the ascen-
dancy, 10 turn out faithful public officers; ami
next winter, if The Wings have the power, Inc
same scene is 10 be enacted, and w shall have
no guaranty OF the competency Of the officers of
Government. He had supposed that The princi-
pies Of the Democratic party had reference alone
10 the conflict of powers between The Federal and
State Governments. When We have a public off
Ger, whose ability and fidelity ale acknowledged,
he would never assume the responsibility Of re-
moving him from office, and incur the danger
Of appointing an incompetent successor. He
would sooner see the Democratic party scattered
INTO fragments, than sustained by a resort 10
such expedients. Where shall a precedent for
this course be found7 There were only two or
three instances, in the last sixty years, OF indlvi-
duals being prescribed for their opinion. The
Wing party, throughout the Stale, disapproved
of The prescription Of Colonel Rutherford, and
their dlsapprobalion was manifested at The polls.
The Democratic party should stamp with the
seal Of their adherence every attempt at a re-
currence to such principles.
The gentleman from Page (Mr. McPherson)
says there are only seven Democrats ont of one
hundred and fifty officers 10 the Stale. He was
not acquainted with the sources OF information
on this question. He would leave such investi-
cations 10 The gentleman himself. II there be
any officer, Wing or Democrat, who could be
shown TO be unworthy, he was ready TO vote
against him. FIe belonged 10 no branch Of tie
Democratic party; and he would not hesitate 10
stand before the Democracy of his county, fear
lessIv proclaiming his principles.
MT. " WIN SdM lie Uu UVt OIIOsc WI.
Heath because he was a Wing merely, but be-
cause he was a brawling politician. 1t was not
the prescription OF MIR. Rutherford, bur the Tex
as question, which had produced The defeat of the
Wing party. AT the commencement OF the ses-
sion every thing was decided by caucus-now
certain gentlemen choose 10 withdraw from its in
huence because they can thereby better attain
their object. :,
MIR. THOMPSON, Of B., said he had voted
against the sergeant at. arms, Col. Ward, be-
cause he understood that, at the time OF the cleo
lion, he was The high Sheriff Of his county. He
mir. T) had throughout his life been regarded
as a Democrat, and did nc, expect 10 forfeit The
name by supporting faithful officers, even though
they were Wings. None doubted the qaalifca-
tons OF The present incumtents.
MI. HARVIE rejoiced that a change had Ia
ken place in the sentiments OF a portion OF the
Democratic party, on the subject OF caucuses.-
Prescription was the twin sister OF caucus. The
whole country would congratulate them il they
succeeded in delivering The Stale from proscrip-
lion and c,pcuSes His Deople abhorred the doc