Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-04-22
THE MARTYRED HEATH.

So much has been said in the Wing prints a.
bout the 'martyred Heath" that short sketch
of his life may not prove unacceptable TO our
readers. We copy from the Richmond Exam
er the following extract:
We shoot no arrows at venture we repeat
it was by opposing and turning out an incum-
bent, hlgh.minded gentleman and an excellent
officer, that Heath procured the office he has
SO long enjoyed by the liberality OF the party he
has scandalously libeled, and ungratefully Wilt
fled, whilst living upon their bounty. The
facts connected with the transactions are fresh
in the recollection of many,-nay can be yerf
ed by the record. Mr. Samuel Shepard, an a.
vowed Federallst, and not even native of Viz
ginia, but an upright and dilligent officer, was
annually and for many years elected Auditor of
Public Accounts He voluntarily resigned that
place. great portion Of Mr.. Shepard's ser
vice occurred during periods of political excite
ment as intense as any which the country has
witnessed. Throughout that service, so over
whelming was the Democratic maiorities in the
Legislature, that every hue and adversely of OPP
position combined, would scarcely have told
twenty individuals yet Mr.. Shepard was never
assailed nor objected to for his political opinions
So up to this resignation prescription was un-
known. Under Mr.. Samuel Shepard, John
Burfoot, the brother of Lawson Burfoot, the late
respected Treasurer Democrat, and the son of
revolutionary officer was brought up in the
Auditors office and for his merits and capaci-
ty was there advanced 10 the post of first Clerk
With all the duties of Auditor he was from long
training and experience perfectly familiar
Upon the resignation Of Mr.. Shepard, John Bur
foot was chosen almost as of course his success
sor The character the qualifications, every
consideration, indeed, gave TO this gentleman
peculiar claims TO the appointment About this
time James E. Heath was member of the Ex-
ecutive Council; and hence an officer receiving
salary, tho a salary not SO large as that of the
Auditor Of Public accounts. Such then being
the situation of these two individuals, James f.
Heath became an applicant for the office held
by MIR. Burloot and according TO the Wing
slang OF the day, prescribed the latter, and turn
ed him out by a vote Of some two or three ma
Jorlty How far the difference of salary NAV
have been the incentive to this prescription, it is
difficult positively to say; certainly it could
have had no foundation in superior knowledge
OF the duties of the place on the part of the ap-
pllcant, nor III any superiority of social standing
and private responsibility. 1t is equally true,
that no defalcation, more delinquency, nor ncom-
potency was brought home to the incumbent
nor ever charged against him, and should any
thing OF the kind be now ihsinuated triunl-
plant vindicatlon from any such malignant aud
puny effort will be found in the fact, that mme-
dately after his election from the place Of Au-
ditor, Mr. Burfoot was appointed by the ENecu-
tive Clerk OF the Council of State. and held that
office until forced by i'll health to relinquish it,
short period before his death
Now if the Why habbers viii rrate about
prescription, we would advise them to begin at
the beginning. Here we give them casp in
point, both as to the very man and very office
They will see in this instance that this james
r. Heath, the subject Of SO many wailinos and
oblurgations, is himself the father and promi-
nent exemplar of prose ription-nay more; OF
ranton sel6A prescription fol he at that time
protested 10 be- Democrat and coud not even
plead the preteyt of political or party obligation
or necessity i'll palliation of his conduct No
SELF: SELF; SELF was ut the bottom Of Ms whole
proceeding
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, EEetioa Of a
Cterk.-By reference to The proceedings of the
House OF Representatives it wiz be seen that OH
the 9th blllot the Hon. Richard Youau, Of Hi
nos, formerly a Senator of the a,nite,l States
from that state, and recently Commissioner Of
the Land Office. under President Polk was yes
terday elected Clerk, to- fill the vacancy occa-
stoned by the death of Col Campbell. MIR.
Young IS Democrat SO that nearly ALI The Of
ficers OF the House a9e now of that party San
HaRRrsBuRG. April IS.
:. Hon. Linn Boyd member OF Congress from