Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-12-03
;, he Editors nf the Enquirer:

!, TO he Editors Of the Enquirer:
| SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
Gentlemen The meeting Of the General Assembly 0
Virginia. presently occur suggests subject which as
viii specially occupy the attention OF that BODY, at TN
very threshold of its proceedings may be MADE inc occa
o of some expressions of opinion upon it in advance.
The tonic 10 which refer usually commands the pubic In
crrs and attention. through the active agency and zeal
party competition lis greatest consequence however In my
s,innton is rcteabe the laudabe pride which am fair
10 believe stimulates the ambition III every Nslnan 10
serve as il exists the reputation of this meonored Com
monweal,h reputation strongly reflected In the marked
dignity OF her Assembly in the prevalent harmony oil us so
cal character amidst divergent political differences and th
greatest decorum always conspicuous no matter how in
tensely aeated her Legislature may be- These remarks re
veo Win sufficient dstinctness the auson making
10 the election OF Speaker to the House oil Delegates III
an important election in my view under any circumstances
20 much so that am free say that parliamentary BODY
il rarely called upon acqu itself of function nvovn!
higher responsibility, duty OF saver import. The per
son upon whom the distinction Of the Chair is THROWN be-
the distant public sort OF type OF whole com
munty and the representative especially Of that STANDARD
OF elevation moral intellectual and polite, which the body
over which he prcses rrescbes for ITSELF and offers
example for the imitation Of others.
Such my general Impressions OF the significance o
such an election and hence may be traced the socude
express that sinister Influences improper combinations
shall produce result otherwise than in the highest degree
creditable the sound Judgment and discretion OF the e
neral Assembly. repeat that the pre.elincn claims upon
the rnbc consideration which the State Of Virginia NAV
Justly advance Of the exemplary style which dis
tngushcs her legislative proceedings strengthens the obi
cation 10 organize the House in the selection Of It's prn-
cipa officer as that there shall be loss OF the public
speci and confidence.
emphasi you will Of course, expect that he whose ankle
ties thus awakened should suggest proper man for the
spcakership To this there can be no objection II was my
purpose The ousctand in doing, obey prescrip
ZION founded il is fair 10 dcduce upon The public approba
ton OF the practice
am then clearly and wIthou, hesitation in favor of Col
(iforge w. HOPKINS Of the county OF Washington. and
strenuousy advocate his election Speaker OF the House
shall -uccncy in The first place, the general argu
men, in his favor mpesses inc, and conclude win
some personal and political details they may tend TO clu
cidate his public or illustrate his prlvalS lie
This gentleman, let premise Al the start, has long
praced the theatre of public life various POSITIONS and has
proven himself capable OF discarsng the duties OF any STA
ton and especially those which belong to the presiding o-
Ger Of "A Lciberaive body. While member OF Congress
parliamentary business II knowledge of his prompt
ludc and familiarity with the rules aid practice oil Congress-
md with their proper application TO The questions which
arose there that often induced the Speaker 10 place Mr.
Hopkins in the Chair These are complimentary and
timing facts notorious that they my not be contro
vcrted and cogent with respect to the position they are IN
voked maintain that il would seem 10 be needless to add
more can scarcely think from any knowledge have OF
the present delegation, from any report OF the abilities
and experience Of any member OF the House. that there VIII
be rival nominee presenting more perfect combination oi
the qualities necessary Tor Speaker.
But beg leave Aessrs Editors before conclude TO give
short narrative OF this gen'lemans political course IN
spircs something extraordinary interest," commencing
rs did in ca e and preceded, AS was win the de-
pressing circumstances Of orphanage with slen-
preliminary OF mental culture nnd Win
poverty for patron These dreaded and dreadful obstacles
which quite ovcrwhem ordinary spirit, have an opposite
and nvgoa,ing effect upon determined characters and
such the results here.
Col Hopkins though lio halls from the Wost, was, az
learn from person familiar with his personal and political
history born in the county of Goochand the son OF an eS
emplay Episcopal Divnewo diving while that son was
child LETT the latter pennyess But the energetic youth,
as he cvinccd himself 10 be- in the true spit OF enter
prise and serliancc hravrd the Ridge and penetrated that
distant South District since often represented
hy him There no alternately taught school or became
pupil The OF remission when 40 occupied no seda
lousy devoted the study of law, and coming quickly 10
the bar in Russell county he with equal rapidty to
Professional distinction His tate seems 10 have bcen thl
~ many brilliant young the legal profession 10
1923 hi; amaiion stimulated by the popular favor, TOOK
political direction and in Tie mentioned he was sent 10
tp Icnslatnle memorable under the soubrigue o the pa
mic session. In 1854 lie returned again. In the year
1855 hc was run Congress- against Mr. Fulton, IRON
whom the Democrats had become alcnated and elected
by triumphant majority
celebrated Little Tennessee district that district which has
So frequently pcrsonacd the luorn hope and borne ao The
standard victory. Duiins tss long congressional ser
vice no one was often called 10 the Chair lie presided
OYER the long dcbae the question OF the annexation
Texas and the general applause. lie presided IN Inc
wear 1916 when the tariff discussed In me session OF
1856 he was the choice Of tine Southern delegation Tor
SNEAKER OF the House. He candidate for Congress
when President Polk gratitude for his distinguished ser
vices and entertaining high opinion oi MS diplomatic Ia
Tents wh required only the opportunity toT thelr display
offered him the mission Po.tua and II IS certain thit me
archives Of tbs State Department will well attest the Saga
civ Of President Polk in the appointment he made and tha
the documents Of lie legation Viii reflect The highest onor
upon the American representative
Finally Col. Hopkins has been recently honorcd with
seat in tic Virginia Convention
Such are his claims The Of service and eype-
cncc The West Of Virginia, too, has strong claim IN
some one of her citizens the honor Of The SpeakershP
The West has had fair distribution OF The puoc ~
vos in nj. rcspcct IL would be opportune III this
crisis 10 be egar4ul of this Injustice and atone for past
ra'''cct VIkGlNIAN. !