Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-01-17


one was aware what qualifications necessary in
the discharge of this high and important trust Strict
integrity habits OF industry, and superior ability, and
| legal requirement. lie was, therefore, amazed that
with such man as Mr.. Conrad before them, members
should hesitate one moment, if party considerations did
not influence them He had served for several years
to many in the House. While in that body he had ac
CURED reputation for talent and legal ability, not sur
passed ii equalled by any member, There was Gle
verer bar in the State than that of Winchester where
Mr. Conrad ranked with the foremost. Mr.. Scott said
that he practiced with him in Loudon court and knew
well his superior qualihcatons-he knew no that
surpassed, and few that eqluled him. Though but in
the prime OF lie, lawyer in his section oil country
joyed higher reputation. Messrs Tucker and Parker
were, doubtless, OF talents, and deserved eulo-
gies of their rends but it impossible in the yery
nature OF things that the claims either could compare
| avorably with those OF Mr.. Conrad. Mr. fuckers
youth made 1t improbable in his case and Mr. Parker
had so TAR Withdrawn from his profession, as first to ac
cept federal appointment, requiring his residence for
large portion OF the year. Harpers Ferry and sub
sequently serve in Congress where he still was Mr.
Scott asked gentlemen ii any one had an important
suit pending IN court requiring the highest talent and
legal ability which of The three nominees would they
be likely to employ! He referred to the letter signed
by 30 many distinguished members Of the bar in his cir
CUT as furnishing satisfactory proof Of his very superior
qualifications
Mr.. FLouRNoy said he supported Mr. Tucker be-
cause OF his qualifications, and not because of his views
in reference to the Compromise or any similar question
lie knew nothing OF any influence work re-
such existed.
Mr.. MASSEY of Alexandra here interrupted him and
stated that ne had heard one Of Mir. fuckers friends
say that he (Mr. - opposed to the Compromise
and that he should vote for him for that reason.
| Mr. fLoURNoY hoped that the Legislature would not
depart from the principle settled in the late Senatorial
| election-and that no one would be prescribed, be-
in hour OF danger he had stood up manfully
Tor the rights OF the Soulh He believed that any 'se
cret influence existed at ALL it was designed TO de-
posed the Compromise. Referring the remarks of
Mr. Scott, Mr.. F. regretted tina. any nvidous compare
sons had been made between the claims and qualica
tons OF the different nominees But such COMPARE
sons had been made, even admitting that Mr. Conrad
possessed all the eminent qualities assigned to him by
the partiay of friends he had therefore no nducenent
Tor further and continued exerton. While, on the 9th
er hand, MIR. fuckers youth and comparative want Of
experience, combined with virtuous ambition and
laudabe desire for attaining the highest eminence,
would act incentive TO steady and constant i'm.
proyement. He cited the case of Judge Caskie to
whose election the objections had been urged and
hoped that the successful experiment then tried would
| be again attempted.
MIR. FERGUSON said that when referring to the rumor
OF Mr. fuckers undertaking support by members be-
ing based upon his hostility to the Compromise he did
not mean to assert the Tact positively attribute i'm
, proper motives any He had risen simply to
enquire whether there any truth in the report 1t
talked OF freely in the House. that such influences
slblty and force to the suspicion was the fact that
nearly all those who voted for Mr.. Tucker were known
to be opposed to the Compromise
Mr. FERGUSON again reviewed the facts of the case
He said that Mr.. Tucker not the choice OF soli-
tary delegate from the judicial circuit and that his
support came from other quarters OF the State; that
, had been twice renomnated. He thought that this
proceeding unusual and extraordinary. Mr.. f.
denied that he was influenced by party in the election
of judge. He supported Mr.. Parker because he was
the choice OF a majority OF the delegates from the ju
dicial circuit # Mr.. Conrad occupied similar ground
he would cheerully vote tor him. He knew nothing
personally ofthe qualifications of any OF the gentle
men,. He had heard Mr.. Conrads legal capacity 500.
ken OF, and knew Mr.. Parker to be member of Con-
. gress, and gentleman OF repued ability. OF Mr.
Tucker he had never heard until his as mer-
toned in connection with this office.
Mr.. MAssEY, Of Warren and Clarke, could see no
necessity for the course the debate had taken The
Compromise, and ten question whether gentleman
had supported opposed it, had nothing do with the
7 election of Judge. Ii that was made the issue, it
: would place him in peculiar and embarrassing posi-
ton For while he supported Mr.. Parker, who favor
ed the Compromise, had opposed that measure before
its passage Mr. Parker was the decided choice of the
residents ofthe judicial circuit, and for that reason
! should receive the support Of the Legislature
Mr.. ScoTT, OF Fauqu err was surprised that any ex-
ception should be takento comparison of the merits
and claims OF the various candidates why, it was the
absolute duty of each member institute such comparI-
son, and besow his upon that candidate which he
considered best qualified and most worthy obe appoint
ment. He had design to deprecate the claims ofthe
other gentlemen, but when any comparison was nsti-
tuted he did not see how any one could deny Mr. Con-
RAIDS decided superiority. He feared that in making
bias their judgments. In regard the question as to
which gentleman would be most acceptable to the Cir
cult he had too much respect for the we'll known intel
gence OF the people not to believe that Mr.. Conrad
was their decided choice.
Mr. Cox deemed it proper to explain the reasons which
would govern his vote. While the Compromise was
| pending, there one who was more bitterly op-
posed to ithan himself but, as it was now the law of
the land, he would abide by ii if its provisions were
faithfully carried out But he did not consider that any
opinions candidates might entertain upon this subject
should influence the votes of members. He had sus-
tanned MIR. Parker, though he original friend to
the Compromise, and should continue to do So
| Mr. MASSEY. OF Warren and CIarke eyp IL
belief that if it should not be,he pleasure of the Legs-
to elect Mr. Parker that the election of Mr. Tuck
er would be satisfactory to the circuit.
Mr.. CRUrcHFIELD had supported Mr. Parker because
he thought him perfectly qualified for the office The
gentleman from Logan seems to complain of Mr.
fuckers denomination under the circumstances He
Was satisfied that Mr. Parkers friends found no cause of
complaint in such course. They were in favor of a
a contest to lest the strength OF the several candidates
They bad no disposition to force him upon the unwil-
ling suffrage OF members.
| Mr.. SPEED would have taken no part in tie debate
but tor the remark OF the member from Logan, " no
nslnuated that those who voted for Mr. Tucker vera
Influenced by the TACT OF his known opposition TO the
Compromise measures of the last Congress While
such charge had not been directly made, it had come
IN sucn an insldious form, that it on that very ac
count calculated to do MIR Tucker the greater inurv
Mr.. JOHNSON here interrupted Mr.. s., and said that
IN justice TO the gentleman from Logan, he wished to
state that he had heard OF Mr. fuckers friends saw
that ne would not vote for Mr. Parker because he mad
| sustained the Compromise
Mr. FERGUSON SAID that he to insinuae nothing
and that gentlemen chose to understand his real mean
ing, they could readily do SO by listening to what he did
| say. Mr. +. recaptulated what he had previously
| stated.
Mr.. SPEED resumed the floor. The gentleman from
| Logan had satisfactorily disclained any imputatiou
upon the motives OF the friends Of Mr. Tucker. When
ever that gentleman spoke. and it was agreeable to
him, he would give him all proper attention. He trus-
ted, however, that any imputaton, though undersigned
upon Mr. Tuck r's views about dsunion would not
be allowed to operate upon the House.
Mr. s. reterred to the fact, that the friends of Mr.
fConrad attached great Importance to the letter signed
by so many members OF the bar recommending him for
the office, and that the friends of Mr. Parker dwet
with complacency upon the idea that he was the choice
OF majority of the delegates from the district He
wished to know however, why it was that no impor-
lance was attached 10 the circumstance, that petition
had been signed hV nersons tho ri ra,,it rao,a