Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1848-04-19
/ IHstice 20 Mr.. Lcmer.

Of our democratic friends in Dubuque to-
wards our talented, efficient and highly
esteemed Representative in Congress, the
Hon. SHEPHERD LETTER. The remoy-
al of DIR. Langworthy from the Office Of
Receiver Of Public Moneys at that place
appears to have called down upon Mr.
Letters head, whether justly or unjust
", the indignation of a large portion Of
the democracy Of Dubuque, who, in 9
public meeting, have expressed their dis
pleasure at his imputed agency in the
matter, in terms neither temperate nor re-
spectful. We know very little Of the facts
in the case, except that violent strife
ensued between the different applicants
for that Office last fall, when, without any
Intervention on Mr.. Letters part, a
change appeared inevitable.
The right asserted by the meeting in
question, to-wit; the right of the constitu-
cncy to hold their public servants to a
strict accountability, and to express freely
their views respecting the acts Of their
representatives; never has been, nor ever
will be denied by Us, nor, we presume,
BY Letter himself. In the present case,
we hesitate not to say that he will cheer
fully submit to the most searching scruti-
ny into his conduct-nay, more, that he
will court an impartial investigation.
While we think he is not the man to
shrink from responsibility, his general
fidelity to the trust reposed in him, and
the relation which he sustains to the De-
mocracy Of the district, demand for him
at least, respectful treatment and fair
hearing.
Though our confidence in that gentle
man is such that we were of opinion that
injustice was done him in this matter, vet,
for aught we know, such an investigation
may show him deserving the censure
heaped upon him by our Dubuque friends.
This is not for us to decide.
Being DESTROYS of avoiding anything
which might tend to sow discord among,
and endangerthe success of the Democra-
cy, we should not even thus far have de-
parted from our first determination, but
for the appearance of the following ex-
tract from the last Miners Express,
which we think does fragrant injustice
to that gentleman.
awe see by our Congressional reports that Mr..
Letter has given notice that he will introduce bill
for grant of land by Congress, for building rail-
road from Davenport to Council Bluffs. Is his time
SO completely employed, that he give no atten-
ton to the subject of railroad from Dubuque to
Keokuk, although petitions after petitions, both
from the Legislature and the people, have been sent
to him for this object? why is it that he has been
SO tardy in this matter9 There seems to be a mys-
terry about this, which we do not understand, and
upon which we should like to be enlightened"
Here is somewhat serious charge byI
set off and embellished by the
ntimation that Mr.. Letters conduct is
involved in ga mystery!' Since the Ex-
press processes such profound ignorance
IN the subject, it cannot, Of course, be ex-
pected to give satisfactory solution of
hat my stery. Its readers are left to solve
t for themselves, and to draw their own
nferences, all unfavorable to Mr.. L., ac-
,ording to their respective localities and
sectional prejudices. |
Iowa City being an intermediate point
IN the proposed railroad from Keokuk to
Dubuque, and the Reporter having been the
irst paper that ever mentioned the pro-
ect, we may be supposed to feel quite as
leep an interest in it as the citizens of any
,ther point. 1t therefore behooves us,
equally with the Express, to enquire if
Mr.. Letter is really obnoxious to the
charge here implicitly preferred against
lin. In the first place, let us ask, is the
Express quite sure that Mr.. L. has s'given
10 attention to the subject Of railroad
rom Dubuque to Keokuk?" Does that
heet mean to say that he has neglected
o present the memorial for that OBJ
ect from our Gen. Assembly, as well
IS the ''petitions from the people, if any
such were sent, and to see that they were
appropriately referred and considered?
We deem it equally derogatory to the
character Of Mr.. Letter and to that of the
constituency who have hon.
bred him with their confidence, to sup
pose that such preposterous charge of
to their interests can gain
,redence. A little closer inspection of
he Congressional proceedings will con-
vince our contemporary that Mr.. Letter
has done, and is doing all that lies within
MS, or the power Of any other man to do,
in this matter.
We have before us two railroad propo-
sitions, both Of which we hope will even
tually succeed, but which are entirely dis
tinct, both in their character and the
L Il. L