The southern press., 1851-10-29
THE SOUTHERN PRESS.
!. MisslssippI.

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Our readers are aware that Che Hon. JEFFEk.
SON DAVIS resigned the Office Of U. 8, Senator
Immediately upon his a. ceptance of the nomina-
ton for governor of Mississippi. But his CON-
petitor, Mr. FooTE, who has for several months
been canyassing for the gubernatorisl vote Of
Mississippi, has but recently merely avowed an
intention to resign before the election. He says
he, would do it sooner, but he believes that Gov.
GUIoS would appoint a disunionist" lie will
therefore place his resignation in possession OF
the recently elected convention, to dispose of as
they may think fit. Now we cannot imagine
what the convention can possibly have to do
with an Office conferred by the Legislature of the
State, but we can very readily understand that
Mr.. FooTE, in anticipation Of the defeat that
awaits him, means to have two strings to his
bow" If defeated for governor, he will claim
that the vote on the convention was not merely
an acqaiescence in the compromise, but an en-
dorsement Of his per Sc advocacy OF it. Hence
he will continue TO hold his place as q senator
from Southern State. .
But Gov. GUIos has, in the letter which we
annex, effectually taken from under him the
plank upon which he processes to rest his excuse
for not resigning. The governor does not think
the occasion requires the exercise Of the appoint
ing power. And for other good and sufficient
rcasons he declines to fill either place. This,
says the MisSssippiGn, was his answer to Mr.
FoorE, more than week ago, to question put
by Mr.. F. as to what he would do. But FooTE
still clings to his commission.
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,
JACKSON, October 18th, 1851.
Messys Barksdale d Jones:
GENTLEMEN:-The resignation of Col. JEFF.
DAVIS, as senator of the United States, from
the State of Mississippi, has given me an oppor
tunity to exercise the power to appoint, tempo
rarily, an incumbent for that Office Many in
quiries have been made whether will exercise
the power. To satisfy all eDquirers, take this
method Of declaring that will not appoint a
successor to Col. Davis, or to Gen. Foote, IT he
should resign during the period for which shall
exercise the powers Of governor. | exercise
those powers, not by the popular will, but by
virtue Of my position as president OF the senate,
and will in few weeks retire from the execu-
tive department the State.
! General Foo'e, one of the senators of the
United States from this State. candidate for
the office of governor, has publicly declared that
he will not resign his seat in the Senate, because
he believes will appoint disunionist to fill his
place, and that he will place his commission in
the hands of the convention, which is to assem-
bic at the capitol on the second Monday of next
month. What that convention has to do with
his commission, 1 am at a loss to conceive; and
am but slightly concerned at the slanderous
charges which that parsonage is in the habit OF
venting at his political opponents. My object
is, to apprize the people OF Mississippi that do
not intend to exercise the appointing power, by
filling the vacancy occasoned by the registration
of Col Davis, or a vacancy 10 be occasioned by
the resignation of Gen. Foote, if such thing
mot very probable) should ever happen. My
reasons for not exercising this power are brieh9
these: | hold the Executive Office not by the
popular vote and will; in a few weeks shall
surrender it. In the meantime popular election
will be held, by which the people will declare
the political popular will. That will so declared
should be truly reflected by all the political
agents of the State. My successor il the Elk
ecutive chair will have ample time, after the elcc
ton, 10 appoint a senator or senators, rejecting
truly the popular feeling, and truly representing
the people Of the State, until the Legislature
shall make a choice. There is therefore no ne
cessity at present for my exercising the power
of appointment, and shall not do so unless a
special session of The Senate of the United States
shall be ordered, which is not very probable.
Respectfully, your friend,