Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-05-01

Excess of Richmond and Tide Water, Sol $40
These figures speak for themselves and demonstrate
the usce Of the desire Of the neglected sections Of
the State to be allowed the office of Attorney Gene
raj. Throw out of consideration one half OF the
So 1000 of sa!aric. held by citizens OF Richmond and
iIenrico. pertaining to offices which too small
to be desired by other SECTIONS Of the State and you
still have for county and city of hs district offices
OF the annual value OF $37 500; being $lU OUU more
than the Offices held by the Valley, Piedmont, the
South. West and the Northwest together. So mon
SsrONs HNa NMerMa. 10 this ,nal whilst the
Tenth Legion, with Democratic majority Of Eve or
SIX thousand holds Offices in the aggregate, not
exceeding four thousand five hundred dollars, the
county of Caroline in this district holds offices to
| the annual value Of sir Thousand dollars.
| The Tenth Legion has not foreign appointment,
whilst three citizens of this district viz: the Minis.
ter to France the Minister TO Sardinia and the Sec.
rotary Of Legation to Sardinia. receive eaares in
the aggregate not less than $50 800 per anuu.n. The
Tenth Legion holds no important Consular appoint
meut whilst citizen OF Richmond holds first class
appointment, with salary o! SO,O0O per annum. I
mean that to Rio.
We have our full share Of the offices of The State
and federal government, and If the office G: A.:or
ney General is desired by the Democracy Of the
Valley or the SOUTHWEST, We certainly should not
contend for il. have grouped together these facts
to vindicate from the charge Of sectonasm those
who concede to the Valley and to other sections of
the State the right to the Attorney Generashp. AS
an Eastern man, Il Underwater man, to the manor
born, cannot allow personal friendships and selfish
considerations TO prevent ME from doing justice to
every portion If the State.
1t is annoying to those who seek TO maintain the
harmony of the Democratic party to be indirectly
accused Of sectional-m because, they will not admit
that district with SertH,yfcc thousand dollars of
political patronage, aad Democratic majority of five
or six hundred Is not much entitled to the office of
Attorney General district with elk thousand De-
mocratc majority, and with but four or i've thousand
dollars patronage.
Your argument against what you term sectionalism
is unfortunate. You say:
"like the Governorshp, the office of Attorney Gen
eral for the common interests of tho whole State
in the exercise of its prerogatves and in the per
formance OF lie duties, impartial! to all portions, and
every section of Virginia.
"Fherefore, the candidate should be chosen with
view only 10 the interests OF Virginia. without regard
to the claims of the Trans Allegheny, the Valley,
Piedmont. Tide Water. North West, South West, or
any Other division Of the State"
ln this selection of orr Governors have not the
claims of different sections of the State been inva
riably recognized Take the last twelve years es
furnishing conclusive answer to your position.
Gov. SMITH was from Piedmont Gov. FLOYD
from the SOUTHWEST, Gov. JOHNSON from the North.
West and Gov. Wise from Underwater. 1. not the
party rule most stringent, by which the "elnims O.!
every portion of the State respected in selecting
a candidate for the gubsrnatorial Office.
You say, "iiSc tie G0rcrn0rship" the Attorney
G.neraship should De conferred without regard TO
.hs claims Of sections. And, rs have said, your ii
ustratiou most unfortunate, for the strc,es: "sec
,ioua!ism," governs the Democratic party in the
mna,;un Of their candidates for the Governorship
Your illustration comedies the very doctrine for
which contend but you are unwilling TO extend IL
10 the Office of Attorney Geseral.
Believe me, Messrs. Editors, that however oEjsc.
onahe the doctrine of equal justice TO all sections
may De TO aspirants for office, is of impreGna
Ole popularity with the masses and one which the
interests and harmony of the party demands. There
are many Other arguments in favor of the position
l pave assumed which deem it unnecessary to
give, unese You shall deem it advisable to discus.
the question at greater length, TIpr W.rrR.