Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-02-19
SPEECH OF MR. FERGUSON, OF LOGAN,
In the House Of Delegates pending the election Of an Ando
of Public Accounts.

Of Public Accounts.
Mn SPEAkEa-Before proceeding to reply to me remarks
10 this House. we'll myself, that should submit
word or two Of explanation in regard TO what said lew
DAYS since when the charge of aboonsm made against
Col THOMPSON Ii will De recolcced that the charge
that Col Thompson occasion, over the wne-cup
svmpathscd with the negroes engaged III the Southampton
instructions which charge, upon the authority VI ilend
OF Col Thonpsons then in the Hail. pronounced untrue
The evidence furnished by the gentleman from Petersburg
Mr Syme) proves that the charge as originally made was
moi true and that the Speech then stated was made
previous the Southampton insuecton But regret 10
say that while il is not true that my friend sympatMsed
with the Southampton instruction he seems by the extract
Just read the House. 10 have sympathsed with another
negro instruction. And while believe that COL Thomp-
son now as sound upon the question OF slavery az any
gentleman within the broad limits OF the Commonwealth YET
mus, be permitted say that in the present excited state
of public opinion upon the question OF slavery could not
under any circumstances have consented TO cast my vote
for that gentleman had have known that he had,
OCCASION uttered tho sentiments just read in our hearing
shall nov proceed, very briefly, TO notice the remarks
of nv friend from Elizabeth City He arragns the Demo-
cratic majority here before this House and before the
try for being guilty of contemplated act OF prescription IN
refusing to eelect Mr. James f. Heath Auditor of Public
Accounts And here permit Inc TO say that differ with him
at the very threshold Of his argument deny that il Is an
act of prescription the part of this Legislature 10 elect
Robert Johnston in the loom OF Mr. fieath any more IMAM
would be on The part Of The people whom / represent
10 refuse re-elect if again 10 present myself
as candidate for their suages. In both cases the Of
flee is vacant and the eecng body have the right fill the
vacancy with whoever they choose to elect But must ex
press my admiration OF the ingenuity of my Wing friends in
manufacturing humbugs Of every description and particular
ly cases of proscri ption.
Last winter Democratic Legislature elected Samuel Shop
herd, Wing, public printer short time after he died,
and We called upon TO fill the vacancy by another
election Mr. YIN. F. Richie nominated and elected
by the Democrats ar Colin The Wing partner of Mr.
Shepherd the office where the public printing was execut-
oar,v ~ nase Of prescription Now let US see how they
made il Why DIR Colin was the partner Of Mr. Shep-
herd and Jointly interested in the public printing; and al
though the name Mr. Shepherd alone had always been
usrd i'm
10 the election of Shepherd Colin, as well known
that the printing done by the firm. But, Mr. Speaker
the case being altered alters the few days since
resolution offered by myself declaring that all the print
paid for of the pubic treasury should be done BY the
public printer he should be willing 10 take IL nj the
prices paid This resolution offered because Mr.
Heath and other Wing Office holders refused 10 give the print
ing under their control TO The public printer
| the Attorney General had decided that II OF right
belonged TO him. then stated among other things that the
public printing had always AT least for great years.
done BY the public printer But the moment took my
seat the gentleman from Richmond City sprung the floor
with volume Of Graitans Reports in his hand and read
the a page prove that tho printing OF those reports
done by Shepherd Coin and not by the public printer
had stated So that when II was necessary to manu-,
scture case Of prescription, Mr. Colin and always had
been real bona de public printer but when II is necessary
prove that portion OF the public printing mad never been
given 10 the public printer the idea that Mr. Colin had ever
connected with the public printing IS preposterous-
Again. when at The commencement OF the present ses-
sion of General Assembly, the House Of Delegates
refused reelec Daniel Ward and VIM Chambers 10 the
offices of SergeaniatArms and Second Doorkeepe not
wi;hstandng il well known mat Inc refusal 10 reesci
Ward grew Of the dissatisfaction which prevailed In con-
sequence the in which he treated members last
summer the Fauqucr Springs; and that Chambers, al
though as honest soul lived physically incom-
neen 10 The discharge OF any active duty yet these
were heraded forth the country as cases of gross and
atrociouS prescription.
Now sir while shrink from no responsibility in the dis
charge of any public duty here or elsewhere Whiggey
shall manufacture of prescription, 50 far as am
concerned where was intended. The motives which
influenced me in these can be stated in few words
considered il settled question that these gentlemen should
not longer be retained in office Wings and Democrats con-
Cured the propriey Of filling their places with better
men, and determined, their places were TO be filled to NIL
them with Democrats cannot, in the conscientious dis
charge or my duty consent TO pension lmoece individuals
upon the treasury OF the State. regret rs much any
the msforunes by which VIM Chambers was rendered
incompetent discharge the dnea Of his Offices but was
satisfied that lie could discharge the duiies Of the office OF
Second Doorkecpcr then there for tia Office,
and ought be abolished if the office necessary
it wa, duty OF the House of Delegates to elect new
officer So much ,hen for the afrocous inn'nan, blood
thirsty prescription Of the Tong tried and faithful officers,
Daniel Ward and VIM. Chambers.
Let us now 10 Mr.. Heath, and before proceeding
further let me here correct statement Yesterday saw in
he published speech OF the gentleman from Elizabeth City
am represented saying that the Democrats intend TO
remove Messrs Heath and Lawson, "a order 10 retaate
upon General Taylor for the proscnptive he has
thought proper pursue. The gentleman from Elizabeth
CITY has wholly Inexperienced me; made such
mark On the Contrary said expressly that should
stop discuss the pToscrpive of General Taylor
that did If he removed every Democratic office
holder in the Union and that hoped he would do So as
did rot think Democrats ought 10 hold office unds him My
reasons :r wishing place another in the Office
held by Mr.. Heath altogether of political charac
Ter desire change Of the Board Of Public Works.
and DEW the assertion % friend that Heath ia the Ajax
Of that board FIR from IT, CONSIDER him like canals
behind INC age The Second Auditor, Mr. James Brown,
IT. consdey the spirit or that board, and for him
shall checrully voe but desire Mr.. Heahs place 10 be
flied with gentleman imbued with the spirit Of the age