Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-08-16

burke, In OIuer tnat MAYOR NcCue might Oe III
formed of what had been done and might have
opportunity of correcting anything that was wrong
in the statement, of facts. understood Mr.. limbo
den to say that the letter gave fair and correct
statement of the facts. Maj McCue seems to have
availed himself Of the notice given, for he pub
| fishes letter from the Adjutant General, written
while the question was pending.
1t appears then that al least two of the supern-
tendents of election concurred in the propriety of
the course pursued, and the letter of Capt Burke
will show that the case was fairly stated to the
Governor.
| AS To my connection with the affair." have stated
precisely what did and my reasons for it. If, in
stead of this, had chosen to give the advice asked
for, have very little doubt it would have been ia
ken; or, if had felt disposed to contest the cleo
ton, and had protested and demonstrated, had a
perfect right TO do so,-a right which Maj. McCue
will hardly deny, and one which, by his own show
ing, he has exercised on more occasions than one.
| | suppose it is hardly necessary to notice the
statements of the Major TO what occurred on the
day of the first election had nothing to do with
the mode of voting adopted. | only know that il
was said TO be in conformity with the established
usage in the Regiment, and that it was agreed to
by all present When McCue and myself were
run to ascertain which should be dropped, he beat
me by one vote, and then and most of my friends
voted for him and elected him. How the absent
say, nor is it important 10 enquire. | made no OBJ
lection 10 going into the election although urged to
do so, and when it was over submitted very quiet
ly to my defeat. quarrelled with nobody, nor did
tear board of of any ones fence!
I'd. The next ground of complaint is, that be-
came candidate in the second election in the face
ola well settled public opinion, and against the
wishes of some Of my most intimate friends.
If there was such public opinion, how did it
bopn hat off fha
ton? How is it to be accounted for that did not
lose single one of my former votes, but gained
| number Of new ones. The Major informs the pub
lie that at the first election had but eleven votes
when elected received twenty eight
| 1t will hardly be pretended that public opinion
in the town of Stanton against me for the
Major complains that such was the feeling there in
my favor, that no one but Baldwin man. could
be elected to company office.
| any Ofmy intimate friends were opposed 10 my
running again, they satisfied themselves with in
forming Maj. McCue oft; certainly was not ia
v0red with their views
| The fact is that was very much disposed to
permit the second election to 90 by default and |
so informed several OF my friends; and it was only
after it was ascertained that Bell again in the
| field, that | consented again to be candidate.
think hazard nothing in supposing that the
Ma. objects less tony having rum than to my having
been elected; and that he is less concerned at the
outrage upon public opinion and the disregard of
friendly counsel, than he is the fact that the e.
lection resulted in my favor by majority of two
votes!
Major McCue makes various objections to this
second election which will proceed to notice.
| j. He charges that the officers were called to-
gether, as before, by newspaper notice, and con-
tends that the election is therefore invalid for the
same cause which led TO setting aside the first
In Ic trnn fhoro nf IL.
second election, but there was also personal notice
given in pursuance of the Governors order, and in
conformity with the militia law. AS Captain of
company, received such a notice.
The Major seems to think the law regulating the
service of militia notices, is obsolete from extreme
antiquity, and has been superseded if not repealed
by the general establishment in modern times of
newspaper presses have been under the impress
sion that the whole militia law of Virginia now in
force, consisted of the act for the better organiza
lion of the militia" passed March S, 1884, and
the amendments made since that time: the provi-
sion IN question is part of that act. How far it
has been observed In practice, am not able to say
1t certainly ought to be either enforced or repealed
g The next objection to the second election is,
that could not have been elected but for the votes
Of five officers of the new company then recently
formed in the town of Staunton, and the Major
complains that this company was Improperly, ifnot
|
The history of this matter has been Industrious
ly misrepresented and much misunderstood 1t
suited the views of some persons to excite the peo
pie of the country against the town. Such preu-
dlces, however pitfu and contemplate they may
appear to a reasonable man, have not unftequenuy
furnished the principal stock in trade Of small deal
ers in politics.
The militia law requires that no company shall
exceed in number one hundred men, and provides
tt,,N 90 kali L. Al
does exceed that limit, it shall either be divided
or such an adjustment of its boundaries shall be
made as to reduce its numbers.
The Stanton company, before it was divided,
numbered PA men-belng considerably more than
double the number allowed by law.
This is shown by the official returns for the year
l848, from which it appears that of the two com
panles formed out of the Staunton company, that
commanded by Capt. Hartman numbers 1876, and
that commanded by Captain Huffman numbers o.
1t would then seem to be clear that the compa-
ny ought 10 have been divided, and it appears that
the division which has been made gives to each
company its full complement Of men.
The Major contends, however, that the effect of
this division TO give to the town of Stanton more
officers than it is entitled TO. suppose the Major
would hardly refuse TO allow five officers to each of
the two volunteer companies. The company COM
manded by Capt. Hartman, numbering 80 men, is
certainly entitled to five, and that OF Capt. Huff
man, numbering 90, might well claim five more.
Where then is the surplus7
Again: 1t appears from the official returns of the
regiment for the year l848, that excluding volun-
eer companies, there are ten companies in the reg
Iment, containing together between 900 and 1000
men, which gives TO each company an average of
, between 30 and 100 men the two Stanton COM
panies as we have seen exhibit an average Of ll7
= men. Truly, the Major is most unfortunate in
his statistics
If there was anything unjust or unfair then, in
the division Of the Stauhton company it must have
! been in the mode Of accomplishing it.
How was that division effected II will no