The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-02-16

To the people OF Hancock, Brooke. Ohio, Marshall.
Wetssl Tyler. Peasants Monongaa, Marion, Pres.
ton, and Taylor counties, Virginia:

nj -
ton, and Taylor counties, Virginia:
Although the law reapportioning the State under the
last census has not YET passed. 10 be rendered
probable that the counties named Will compose the dis
lTlct Tor the northwest
There are questions connected with the next canvass
which you are only competent 10 determine, and ii is
proper that they should be early laid before you
As member OF the congressional convention which
met at Backsyllle on the els, OF January, 1885, pro-
posed, as the official proceedings show, rule with ref
efence TO district which does not 10 be properly
understood at the present day Permit to to It's
language:
son motion Of Mr. Clemens, the following resolution
was adopted
I" Rssoluee, That while this convention acknowledges
that It's members have power TO ietter the action OF
future convention, regularly appointed by the people, yet
we declare as our opinion. which we conceive TO be
founded upon correct and equitable principle, that roa
don in office applicable territory well as to persons,
and we believe and hereby expressly spaaie that The
Ia Congress, alternately, each Tor four years.
The adoption of that rule may have been fatal and
ndscree step, Its advocacy on my part may have been
more matter OF impulse than OF sagacious premediiaon
and OF the very best and most clrcumspect men IN
the district have always denounced IN terms OF the Sc
verest reprehenson 1t is undenabe that the only effect
il has had hitherto has been TO foster sectional cono
versy and to operate utter exclusion upon the rep
Tesenatve at the very time when. after matured expert
ence in Congress he was best hied to serve you In
stead OF being the representative OF the whole District he
is made in fact the representative OF part The barriers
nieposed by Nature upon our territory are pepeluaed
and made part OF our political polity
II Is true that the resolution does not profess TO bind
future conventional was mere declaration OF sentl
ment--but ii had and still has unseen and aperva-
ding influence, amounting TO permanent covenant OF
preludices.
Under these circumstances there two questions for
you TO decide;
First Shall the rule heretofore subsistng for The future
be abandoned
Second. If you determine il shall still be enforced,
which particular geographical section OF the district is
entitled to the next term in CoDgressl
Throwing out OF consideration far as possibly
any benefit may be supposed 10 derive from the policy
permit me TO suggest that so far as concerned
one people, SO far you interested in the efficiency
OF the public service, will be for the better that no
such exclusion should be tolerated by yon hereafter. 1t
will create has created bitter leuds between the
leading men, merely OF the district but OF every
lon oil it, Il may operate, in this view, 10 the entire de-
siruclon OF your party supremacy 1t may deprive you
hereafter OF the services OF your hast and put your
power in the bands of the inexperienced and the inefficient
hope you will do me the justice TO believe that, 10
the declaration of these deliberate convictions am do
ing my duty TO you at the hazard, probably OF not pleas
With reference, then, TO the question TO The next
term in case the exclusion referred to should be perpet
uated seems 10 me perfectly plain thai the next term in
Congress belongs 10 the river counties.
The resolution does not provide that each section
shall have the candidate seems 10 be conended in
some quarters Sach was certainly its purpose The
very equality intended TO be secured might, under such
circumstances be destroyed. We have such case pre-
scented even now
Under that rule the Hon. w G. Brown served four
years Judge Thompson was selected as his successor
He was defeated by Col, Raymond and he served out
his term, making six years for the mountain counties
AT the next election Judge Thompson again selected
and was triumphant over his former competitor Under
this stale of The case, the counties have only had
two years of the Jour- of the representation in Congress-
secured by the terms OF the compact Ii to be
enforced hereafter they and ought 10 be- guaranteed
in the rights secured TO them TIE whole proceeding
is The most idle OF all mockeries.
My fate, in the political at least is in your
hands. your judgment am willing TO repose Upon
your magnanmliy and sense OF justice am willing TO
rely. If you determined 10 cut me oil with my ser
vice in the present Congress- shall submit to the stroke
without muTmur; | shall 20 back TO the privacy from
which you drew me, with the consolation at least OF
having discharged my duty TO you faithfully and con-
scenously.
For the favor you did me TO place in my present
high position by The largest majority given 10 any
man in the district, most gifted competitor, beg
you believe shall always feel deeply grateful and if
can reward you in no other way, am perfectly willing
TO make any sacrifice you may require OF me 10 promote
the success OF your cause.
SHERRARD CLEMENS.
HousE OF REPRESENTATIVES,, Feb IL, 1883