Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-06-22
THE RICHMOND ENQUIRER.
To The Editors of ths Enou,rer.

To The Editors OF ths Enquirer.
Gentlemen: An article appeared in The Whis
OF The lst ins, signed an sup Country Man, IN
opposition to the recent appointment OF Judge
Mason as President OF the James River and Ma
nawha Company. The writer Of this article
characterized the appointment az "ihe most un
looked for and astounding thing be ever heard
or" and The editor of The Wing heralds this an
nouncement with The declaration that "lhe ap
puDlmsnt was subject of unbounded asIonlsh'
ment 10 This entire population" A subsequent
article appeared in The Wing OF The 9Th inst, over
the signature Of County Stakeholder" whose
osan OF Marvellousness appears to be no less
prepondeIant than that OF his predecessor. In
deed, from The "ear-marks" il would appear thai
both articles emanaed from the same "organ
However this may be, whatever may have
been the disappointment Of certain ambitious as
pirants Tor Stallion once held by Washington
and illustrated by The energy and talents OF Ca
bell, there are good and sufficen; reasons iof Inc
selection OF Judge Mason by The stockholders,
with such remarkable unanimliy, without re-
sorting 10 the violent presumption that II was tine
result Of an intrigue or the work oil The enemies
Of The Improvement
The author OF authors OF these paragraphs
propounded various enquiries with respect 10 Inc
qualifications OF Judge Mason and the character
o The Vote by which his election was secured.-
To all of these he seems anxious TO obtain satis-
factory answers and is even willing ITO pay The
clerk OF The Company" for copy Of The names
Of those who voted Tor The respective candidates.
The Secretary of the Company has furnished me
with this information and doubt not will cheer
fully afford every facility in his power tol the al
Iainment oil The laudable objects OF this wrl'er.-
Like many others who have called Tor iniorma.
similar Ihia ~ md
when il is too late, that he has been Hltted with
his own pelard."
IL is conceded, that Judge Mason possesses
"hish character, that he is an amabe, talented,
elegant and conciiiatory gentleman" and that
ms hne qualities designated him 10 TRENDS Tor
this pest" YET, is regarded as "a strange con-
currence OF iorluilous circumstances" 'ha! one
thus gifted, should have been selected IN prefer
ence 10 those "who have suffered odium and CHI
minaIon Tor their support OF The improvement"
who have watched over The canal Tor quarter
OF century, while, like wounded serpenl, ii
dragged lis slow length along; "who have been
abused by every body and in every way, on &c
count oil II" who have passed through the fleTy
furnace, been oslIacised and suffered martyr
DOM"
Il has been objected 10 Judge Mason, that he
IS from an anti internal improvement section oil
the State, and that he has been totally disconnec.
ted from This subjecl. In answer 10 these objec-
lions, IL may De well 10 state that Judge Mason
has passed much Of his life OF usefulness in our
mids, that he had selected Richmond as his per-
manent residence, previous 10 his appointment,
and thai his liberal views and enlarged public
spirit and experience will contribute much 10
Inc removal oi that harrow and selfish sectional
feeling which has been The greatest obstacle TO
improvement in Virginia. His lofty integrity
and upright character as a Judge his industry
and capacity for The details OF business, exhibited
in the administration OF The affairs Of the Navy
Department, his successful career as Attorney
General OF The Unilei States, and his reputation
as an old fashioned Virginia gentleman, emi.
nelly qualify him Tor station requiring
knowledge OF mankind, conciatory DISPOSE
lion and character 10 inspire public confidence.
Are the duties oil this station such as 10 re-
qure long probation and familiar acqualn-
lance with The details oil railroad or canal con-
s;ructon2 Where then was the So much lauded
fitness Ul Mr.. Cabel Tor he station al the lime
OF his appointment, or the necessity vi employ
ing the most eminent engineers 10 our country 10
supervise The wurk2 it'll an able Chief Engl-
neer, and al experienced Directory, there can
arise no emergency in The Administration ol The
affairs OF the Company Tor which Juage Mason
will mol DC fully competent.
The yolumnous publications Of the Stock
holders and the ample records and documents OF
the Directory are within his reach, and will al
lo!d every facility for The acquisition OF an init
mate acquaintance with The affairs and true poll
cy OF The Company without making very heavy
drafts upon The versatility oi genius" which has
been ascribed 10 Judge Mason.
When The result Of the election was ascer-
tanned, Mr.. Mcfarland, who had voted Tor Co
lionel Bonduian proposei that the Chairman
announce 10 Judge Mason his election, with an
assurance that The Stockholders unanimously DE-
sired his acceptance OF the office The PROPOSE
lion was acceded TO by the meeting without
dissenting voice.
The following is The vote: