Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1852-11-23
To the Editors Of the Enquirer.

10 The Editors Of the Enquirer.
RICHMOND, Nov. 20, 1852.
Messrs. Editors:-In your paper Of to-day, is Il long cdi'
,orlal 0t more than a column IN length, defending the course
of cur worthy Governor, Joseph Johnson, with regard to
his removal from, and appointment 10, office. The object o
that editorial is 10 justify tho Governor for removing l.. Z.
Burch, first Inspector at Seabrooks' warehouse. and putting
Dr.. letter, dentist, in his place; and this is justified BY you,
upon the principle, that the Democrats were entitled 10 an
equal share Of all Offices in the State.
This, sir, with n qualification, is u new doctrine TO me-
Being n JctiersOnian, in principle, | have been foolish enough,
perhaps. TO act upon his principles; one of the fundamental
of which, is this: III want an officer, the first enquiry
will be, is he honest7 the next, Is lie capable! and, il he con
forms to these two requisites, | shall not enquire into his
politics"
do not intend 10 impugn tho course Of our NEST worthy
Governor, for he, like every one else, is liable 10 be deceived;
and in the removal of r. c. Burch from Scabrooks' Ware.
house, and the appointment of Jcter, he has been most gross.
ly deceived. have yet To sec the first man (Nhig or Dem.
ocnD who does not deplorc il; ard if the dealers in tobacco
the planters from various counties of tho Stale-wcre per.
mited TO make the appointment, they would unanimously
prefer T. c. Birch.
persons; not one OF whom, so far as know or believe, is, in
any manner, shape or form, engaged in the tobacco trade
Bat | must, or ought, 10 tell the whole truth. Upon an OK.
animation of the papers in the Executive office, find that
some gentlemen have given recommendations TO some half.
dozen persons for the same office! Was this dore for the
purpose u! gaining popularity, or Ia serve 4 particular friend
and the public You say tina, some few Democrats have
signed the petition in favor Of Rurch, through personal friend.
ship. | say that ] have yet 10 sec the first Democrat who
doen not %disnpprovc OF the act, and who would no; most
cheerfully do anything in his power TO have Burch reins'ated.
The public would like 10 know why is Burcl, an honest,
faithful, and most competent officer, o! long experience,
removed to make room or place for a man whn has not the
first qualification In what has Jctcr ever succeeded No,
even ns n dentist, a. my own mouth will show. In what
has Burch succeeded? In ginning the esteem and conf
dcrce of every man who ever saw inf the tobaccunists
in Richmond, and the planters generally.
AZ an evidence q! The fact. examine The records Of tho
Warehouse. In The year 1859, Seab'"oSs' warehouse had
forfeited it's charter. Burch was appointed ono OF the in
spectois at tho close of the year. the amount Of tobacco
inspected I;tat year, at that Warehouse was only $50 hhds.
Under his, AMI the auspices Of Mr.. r. T. Jnhnson, 81 in.
sn,rtur. the warehouse has confined 10 increase its buSi-
ness and has become the lavnri!e place Of Inspection. From
$50 hirisin 1899, the number has increased in 1852 10 6lQ6.
And for why ? Because OF the confidence, not only al The
dealers, but OF the planters, in the inspection of that ware.
house.
But, Mcssrs. Editors, you say that. "Doctor Jcter is a
moor. but a gentleman of ir-cproachaHe character" The
public take Issue with you there. or Doctor Jetcr | know
nothing personally, but minors to The contrary are abundant,
and il is certain, that such is the want OF confidence in him,
that the inspection AT Seabrooss', for the ensuing year, will
fall short ono. half Mt least.
know, Messrs. Editors, with whom am dealing, and,
Jackson like, ! ask no favors and shrink from no response
biliiY. Would II not have been better for some OF the gen
llemrn who induced our Governor 10 make this change and
who wanted an Office for some Of their needy relatives, Ia
have made application 10 EGrc', and Johnson Tor employ
inert, han IL tare gone 10 The trouble a. removing an hon
est, faithful. COMPETENT, and popular officer FOR that pur-
POSE?
:ecl assured. when make the assertion. that such was
the character Of the Inspectors at this warehouse, that no
charge would have been made, had il, not been for the
unitics OF some few individuals, who, at the eleventh
hour induced the Governor TODD SO.
Well may he say, "Save me from my friends and ! will
care of my enemies" For a few more such friends
would kill even George Washington.
III have agsrievcd any one by this communication, l en-
close my card, that he or they may know where 10 obtain
).
lii goes very much against our grain TO publish the above
mot that those concerned shrink from any Investigation
because the writer of 50 gives circulation TO ruu.ors
p~rejudicial TO a worthy and honest man-which rumors have
disproved, in the opinion of al! who have looked into
the facts. u.s." and ourselves also entirely differ as TO the
sentiment Of the Democracy in regard 10 Mr.. .Jeter's up
pointment. Those whom we have seen, approve Of IL.
1t is but just that we should add that the feeling shown
by rs. " is naturally iraceabe 10 the very close personal re-
atoms he holds TO hlr. Burch, in whose place Gov. Johnson
thought proper TO substitute Mr~. Jcter.-Enquirer.l