Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1853-04-14
remain yours respectfully.
THE NEW TEST or FITNESS FOR
OFFICE.

J. y A-
We copied the other eay strange sort OF docu-
ment prrpared By Col McAfulin, and laid before
the President complaining that the Federal paFon-
age had been INEQUALITY Distributed 10 this State
thar this inequality shodld CEASE and that The pat
trpnage should've 50 distributed TO do equal JUS
| lice 10 all sectors. T1is paper was sigaed and
fully approve by Messrsl Clemens, Faulkner
Lelcher, McMulfin, Btalel Bocock. Baylv and
Edmundson, late m@mbers II Congress from Vir4
gfnia. Messrs. Mason and Hunter, without ext
pressing any opinion respecting the past give their
appreciation 10 the principle that ccality and not
merit should BIZ The guide iuthe SELECTION far Office
The other sir Democratic members-- Nests. sHol-
lidav, Caskie, Powell, Millson. Meade and AsAr-
Ell refused 10 sign-andf we respect them for their
refusal
This loea,ag grail fcetEsn is something new UNI
der the sun. II is unkypwnio the Constitution !;
in fact il inirsnges on The constitutional right OF
,hesPrssident 10 select tie public agents best quail
fed Ior public service. HI IS unknown 10 the usa4
ges or the Republican party tit is Injurious TO the
public interests and il il tantamouni 10 deeara-
lion that public Office is Instituted, nolior the pub
| liz good but snp for the benefit ofthe indvidu-
| al osce-hoider II Is moreover device OF isno-
rant and worthless demagognes, who, knowing
that tested hy merit, they would stand no chance
| for promotion, appeal 70 the accidental circnm-
stance of their residing long way from men of
ability and probity. 70 supply their moral and in
teeclual DEFICIENCIES, aud have themselves fosted
opun the public treasury We do mol mean TO saT
Or t0 intimate, that there are nor many honest
and capable men in Western Virginia as are to be
found in the same population in any other portion
Of the Union. Nsither are we dis posed 10 take
sides against them, and 10 favor Of Eastern Demo-
/ Gratis. Our preiudices rather lean 10 thcfIYest-
Tor the simple reason that being brought into more
immediaie contact with, our disgast has been more
excited by the rapacNy ofEasteTn cormoranls. and
il wonld impars something OF personal as well as
political qualification 10 witheGs heir disappoint.
menL Bnl we are merely discussing The subject
as disintt rested men; and We are mos: decidedly
Of opinion. that il Westemlmen can adduee 10
better proof q for public station than their
residence beyondlhe BlueRitge, they are entitled
10 no consideration at highlands of The appointing
power and should no! be Commissioned 10 prey 10
| on the public
Mr.. McMnilin tells us ID his card:
For myself. boldly aEpw, ltha a. intend 10 make
The PsineiPles contained n this paper i tenct Of
/ faith IN my political creedRs
Wehad Supposed that age1iieman Of Col. Mes.
! prominence-and who had made pilgrimage 10
Concord. would have sioaa II no need Of such :
/ lever as this 10 elevate him % The fopmoss round
Of he political ladder.
Asfo Messrs. Mason and Hunter Il il really
morifYing 10 see gendelnkn Or heir position sue
cumbing 10 ne pressure Of dfnseog1ee, and sub.
scribiEg TO principle which in their heafts they
must abnor. They know HAT the Combination
does moi limit lhe Presidents range OF seleefIon-
andihat IDS his duly 70 she country 10 sel4ctihe
persons best qualified 10 petior ihe public duties,
without respect % locality. Nererhcicss theysu-
mite 10 their olicial IS Helins Individual capacity
florthe one capn6t Be stvdted from the othef) -
advising him, that BE skonid select as many on
GERS from one particular section ~ from enpineI
although there sbouid Be within it,t teeiipn %
persots qdllifea OF otlci.i dates Z. -
We suppose ne eiecl3 a Col tleAln.isnt
morsmkhi win s. sseo and Heard I'll or <na ,nai
some "a his vicinity will f4e - aaF i96 kt''.nt
Colonel Qns bofn. How. ca1sIsierIl VIA .-t r.
QcisiIiohs Of BY 1ktse. Mf.sis We. Meade,
Leafs. Richie 9cN'i' White .1a inethoH "a e,nef
Es..ifn Vir<'nians. t5.1f N iL1'tI4H t1e'f corn-
m r'sti,r Abroad ca b tfe.ias1 ~ 4rc tnpfe
<.-. b S,f nutos thar port He tare already
FL ..1 11f ipiII4sfsfts. W4r1l{ pn',- = against
At. 1.|.II&1ne1I ~ 4 Fr'I.'|I. ~ which nlrif
sss 81 F'slis 'lat'sa 3 'r''s ~