Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-07-26
For tie Enquirer.
LETTER EROM Jesse HARGRAvE. ESQ.

Sussex County, JrLy ~, 1850.
f;entlnmcn-Sincc YOU informed me that was nominated
by the District Convention, held in the town III Jerusalem.
IN the 18th July, as candidate 10 represent u part, the dig
trict composed Of The counties OF Southampton, lse of
Wight, Nansenond Sussex, Surry and G'Gcacs:ilic, in the
coming convention 10 amend the present Constitution OF
this Commonwealth, | have upon mature reflection. come 10
the conclusion that | am not at liberty To accept The
nomination. If were at liberty 10 do So, there is 4
doubt about my eligibility. IL Is known 10 most Of you,
Gentlemen. that | am, a, this tine, the acting Sheriff Of my
county, and as the Sheriff il an officer VI Tie Court, the
cour, has the rigat Ia require and Ia delnand his attendance
ON the Court; and besides, the law requires that the several
shcritis of this Commonwealth shall conduct the elections
IN their respective counties; and the act Of Tic General As
scmbly providing for the election Of members 10 the conycn-
ton, makes il the duty of the officers who conducted the
elections in April last, 10 conduct the elections for members
OF the Convention it also requires mat the several officers
conducting said elections, shall meet at certain places 10 COM
pare the polls, and To declare who are elected, and 10
make out and sign certificates OF elections; and, In the
cycrt of two or more candidates having an equal number OF
votes, 10 decide between them, DC. ], rs the Sheriff. Of my
county, conducted the election at the Court House thereof,
ia April last, and my deputies conducted The election al the
scyera! precincts. In the case of a Sheriff being Il candidate.
md the election in his county il conducted by his deputy,
and on comparing the polls, there should be Il lie between
the Sheriff candidate and some other candidate, or person
| voted fol. the deputy would, through motives OF rlrtiality.
decide in favor OF his principal, when he has 10 take an oath
that he will not be guilty oi any pariialliy for any person or
candidate voted for. The law also makcsi il the duty If the
deputy TO sign his own name and that OF his principal, 10
the certificate required 10 BE- furnished 10 the person ar per-
to certify 10 his own elcction-as the deputy cannot net in
dependently of the principal. ] very much regret that by
my indiscretion, these impcdiments have arisen. or that |
should in any way be the cause ofany embarrassment what
ever; for can assure you, gentlemen, and every member of
the Convention. that so far as my individual sell is concern
ed, do not regret that | am excluded; for even a doubt in re-
gard To my eligibility, would be sufficient for me 10 exclude
myself from being Il candidate. Ii is true that | was appris-
ed prior To the assembling of the district convention in Je.
rusalenl) tina, my name, in connection with the name of
another gentleman of any county, would be presented 10 the
delegation from Sussex, on their assembling NJ Ierusalcm;
bur from what had heard, | had no right 10 believe or TO infer
that my name would be presented 10 the Convention, there
fore did NOT nut myself 10 the trouble even 10 think of the
position which | occupied. \ man cannot always have his
wits abou, him. and il | have erred i'll This matter, il Is 10
bc attributable To the head, and not to The heart.
l therefore beg YOU, gentlemen, 10 have my name stricken
from the list Of nominets-in doing SO, | am sure that ii will
not prejudice the claim or success of either Of the other no.
minces, as the blank can be filled with the name Of some
gentleman better qualified than myself 10 be presented 10
the voters Of Tie district.
Very respectfully, your obi serv';,
JESSE H~ARGRANE.
To Messrs. prcntiss, SebrclI, Butler, Mason, billiard and
L MI A.nitt