Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-02-21

49, 81; LIN vi,h d. reelection of duty in his official
capacity as Inspector of Guano. We nave SNOW" n
ell for many years and chee!iuly bear ies''0!
as man and czer and az gen'leh'"n '. ;u
character and ,re believe that any trust confded 10 MN ~
be discharged with fidelity. Thisis the sehe"'a" " -
our neiphbors of the Wing speak oil as onc Do' ,h,
viii, IN mi, spb,c, we deem not amss to say ''a'
we are somewhat surprised TO iearh 'h"' " ,, h ,hc
n ra,s,l Tho inspection We are graVey 'o'o y
,v, Of fish, guano, &C. arc no~ 'e'e
| -. l tho offices ought 10 be abolished. "otiaeiiu
, ;o,s discoveries are these indeed )! Is II ho' q
far, that some of these offices have been heiu ny
oood Wings for twenty odd years. not~l'hs'ahoi"s 'e
,oa,ion and adherence OF the spoils ana now lot
ut ..o,e rho asceptre has departed from udah, the
~ re sinecures and ought to be abolished As has been
,rulv said ooh consistency, thou art a jewel"
= well known to of our readers that these inspec-
,,ou os were the bone of contention for time be-
tween the two political parties in this State AT the extra
ein Of the General Assembly revise the laws,
and animated debate sprung up on this subject The Wing
nress of the opened its batteries upon the Democratic
narty for taking the power of appointment from the hands
of the County Court selfconsltued body responsible
no one for the in which they discharged their du
cs) and placing it in the hands of the Governor 1t
believed by many that these appointments State Offices
created for the benefit Of the people Of the State large
the appointments ought be made in all cases BY State
authority The Governor thcn being the representative Of
the people of the rhole State consequently the wishes of
the people large without regard 10 locality ought TO be
consulted But the Wings foiled in their efforts and
hear the pathetic cry sinecure snecues repeal
repeal rcpeal! But the Democrats not quite soft
enough for that and they will require substantial
than have heard of to make them believe that
the public good requires their repeal We may refer this
subject again. More But for Doctor Powells
satisfactory card 1.
To the Editors of the Enquirer
AloSrRosE, NEAR RICHMOND, FED. lG, 1851.
Gentlemen My attention has called to article in
the Richmond Wing Of the l4h instant, preerring the
charpc of delinquency against the Inspector of guano and
plaster for the city Of Richmond The charge by whomso
ever made or whatever Authoritative FORM may assume
pronounce be false and without foundation in truth.
On receiving the appointment Inspector made IL my
business view Of the responsibility attached 10 the Office
without regard te trouble or expense TO make self
acquainted with the best modes OF inspecting guano For
this purpose, the subject was comparatively new, had
reouent conferences with many, and correspondent with
SOME of The most scientific Of country several of
whom had been in The habit of using inspecting and anuy
zine suano. In this way obtained all the light necessary
as conceive faithful discharge of the duties Of the Of
fee; and moment qualified TO the presen tme
have omitted neglected nothing that was calculated in my
Judgment protect the farmers against fraud and imposition
In proof the fact since entered upon the duties
II months from GOO bags of gano that have been brought
TO the Richmond market have been branded damaged" in
consequence Of injury received by water the passage from
the place OF shipment TO the point OF destinations ard within
been condemned by the Inspector Does this look like
would Justify the charge of delinquency" the part Of
The officer Who what farmer hasc ompained that the
officer has done his duty that he has suffered BY his
ec and has received article of either guano plaster
different from that indicated BY the brand have heard
of none notwithstanding have made very Particular and
constant enquiries and have yet be informed Of
Deeply sensible Of the importance of the subject have
deavored discharge the duties of the office the best of
nv abilities The far better part of my attention has been
bestowed upon the neglect of my private oidrs be-
of any pecunary interest or the payis co small to be
an object any one and scarcely expenses but for
the pleasure derive in seeing and knowing that as the re-
spoHsbly is upon me- the duties faithfully and honest
y discharged
few days of experience in the beginning satisfied
that business of the Office could not be performed by
person alone and therefore, appointed two equities 10
ssl me- one in the anay inspecting part whilst
10 the other s assigned the branding and mechanical. A
supervisory extended BY me- far as practicable
the whole subject But all three of US acting under
OATH and each for himself whether there has
been any delinquency in the discharge OF euties imposed
upon him No cargo of guano branded tina, has
first inspected Four-hfths least Of all the guano
that has been brought the Richmond market for SALE has
been subjected to chemical tests and what has not BEEN has
exhibited undoubted marks Of purity To inspect separate
" every bag in whole cargo would be thing utterly i'm
practicable and what the law does not in my Judgment
contemplate. Ii would be absurdy suppose would
require Of an individual 10 do an mpossbly The only
practical mode is the adopt There sometimes
three thousand bags in cargo and three four
goes arriving once specimens for inspection taken
from number OF bags in different parts Of cargo, and on
subecrng them 10 the usual tests if they found to
the whole cargo
Having thus noticed for the benefit of the public and my
Defence perhaps much greater length than ought
charge Of delinquency the part of the Inspector of
guano, &C., here drop the subject
The and dsrespectu terms in which the Richmond
Wing has been pleased refer my humble self az tone
Dr. Powell fairly entitled other notice at my hands
OF silent contempt But that paper has from the
beginning land the only one in the State Wing or Demo
crac) manifested disposition in advance Of my oi
cial duties carp and find fault with the Appointment.
why is True am not, never have been and
expect be Whg and canno hope therefore in any
matter commend myself 10 the favorable consideration of
the Richmond Wing If however its goaing eyes have been
fixed upon this most lucrutre office either for ITSELF of
s friends in the hope of ecctng by its dsplace-
the present incumbent will saveit all further trouble
hereby pledge myself in the the Legislature should
fit to increase the fee und provided they
will produce satisfactory testimonials Of their qualifications
for the Office resign in favor of the Editors Of the Rich
mond Wing any OF them, who may indulge expeca-
,ions in connection with the Office.
am, respectfully, Sc, J. ~ POWELL.
The Wing WILL act of justice, do the favor to
copy.