Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-11-14
MONDAY, NOVEMBER IL, 1854.
Shall n Nomination OF II Commissioner OF the

shall nomination OF II VI '"e
Board OF Public Works for the Central Di"-
trict, be- made at the StauntOn COnrcniiont
Several communications have appeared i'll this pa
per recommending that the delegates to the Sailtoh
Convention from the counties composing the Centrai
district of the State, be also empowered with author
ty to nominate candidate for the office Of Cuinls-
sioncr of tho Board OF Public Works, from that DIS
trict for the term Of six years from the FIRST M"u!
in July next. We have made no comment upon thiS
proposition, nor expressed our opinion OF the Pfopr'e
ty of making such nomination at Staunt"ii or eiSe-
where Oh the Both of this month, or AT any other the'
being willing to await the action OF the people VINO
ara directly Interested. Up to this time, little or ho
action has been had OH the subject and rs delegates
from lnrpe number of counties have been appointed
and no instruction, respecting the of COM
missioner have been given we presume, rs matter
of course, that no attempt will be made ut StaWnt"h
to make any other nominations save those for Coy
ernor, Lieutenant Governor and Attorney Gener"l'-
Instead of obiocing to this, We approve OF 1t. The
selection of candidates for the three Offices JUST
named is about much as one set OF delegates can
attend TO properly Besides, as the people more par
cularly interested have failed to confer the addition
al authority upon their delegates, md, MS II Is too late
now to do SO with anything like unanimity, we see no
proprie,y or necessity for the assumption of such
power.
Without the slishtcs. disparagemcnt to any gentle
man who has been spoken OF in connection with that
office, frank to say, that we are not satisfied
that any convention for that purpose Is required
either by the public wishes or tho past conduct oi
the present incumbent. DR.. Graham WAS nominated
and elected by his constituents for Blk years service
In drawing lots with his colleagues for the long anu
short TERMS it was his fortune 10 draw tho shortest
term; the result of which is that another election 10
to be held in his district the end of two years from
the time of his election. How far his first election
for six years should be taken, at the end OF little
years service, as an indication OF the desire
Of those who elected i'm, that he should continue IN
| Office, is a question to be decided between him
and them, and we suppose ought to depend upon
the manner in which he has thus far discharged the
duties devolving upon him. Ii there be complaint
Of his capacity, fidelity industry, It has beeu Kept
within very narrow confines, else the voters would
have taken definite action in reference to the selec-
ton of successor As au explanation Of the cause OF
their Indifference, imagine there IL no SERIOUS con"
plant against him. and that therefore, the people are
satisfied to apply TO him the Old usage OF inc party
that is consider the present incumbent candidate
for reelection until he his intention to re-
tire from their service. This is a wise rule, aud,
although liable to abuse, should not be hastily rpu-
dated by the Democratic party
At all events, if Convention for the selection of
candidate for this office is desirable necessary there
syet abundant time appoint delegates for that spe-
cia object without comforting doubLe powers upon I"
portion o' the delegates who may attend the Stauni"n
Cnuvpntjon