Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1858-12-23

Richmond on the 10th OF February next Seserei
stirring Addresses may be expected.
-
Ano41aor Richmond in the Field.
The Riohmond Examiner announces. by author
;tv. Thai ~ Hon. Wm. NJ. Tredway, Of Pittsyl
ysaia. h : candidate for the Office Of Commission
~ of u. Beard Of Public Works at the ensuing
Spring election.
We are clad 10 hear it, We are glad to hear
that Mr.. Trsdway. like a sensible man, has fol-
lowed the good old Virginia custom of declaring
himself candidate before the people without the
Intervention of caucuses and eliques and conven-
TONS We are glad that the saluiary example act
him BY Gen. Stovall, has been followed BY Mr.
Treadway, and that he has determined to appeal
to the people alone. instead of party convention
to pronouues Q anal Judgment upon his claims to
tho ofRce in question.
We have heretofore taken the positon-and we
reiterate II now--that the Office Of Commissioners
Of the Board Of Public Works is in no sense a
political one, and consequently ought never to be
disposed Of by party; but should be conferred
upon some worthy and capable man by the people
in their individual capacity, without reference to
any question Of Federal policy. This is the true
position, and no amount of ingenuity or sophistry
can upset or overthrow it, IL any one can tell us
in what single respect there is the slightest con-
necton between Federal politics and the Internal
Improvement policy Of Virginia, We will surrcn-
der our position at once-but no such connection
can be discovered from the most minute aud
searching investigation--and n mans ability to
discharge the duties Of the Office no more depends
upon what he thinks Of the Tariff or the English
Bill than his abstract views respecting the roll
gious theories Of Swedenborg or the astronomical
calculations of Copernicus, 1t depen.is upon The
man himself, regardless of bis views upon every
other subject except the true commercial policy OF
our glorious old Commonwealth.
Why then should party Convention seek to
impose a candidate upon the pooplef Why should
a hundred or two men undertake to say to the IF
~ thousand voters Of this District that they shall
vote for this or that man, whomeyer this party
caucus may designate! Is this the regard for
popular rights Of which hear FL much latter
day talk Is this the rospec, for 1.-THE majesty Of
the people," Of which we hear nowadays such
profuse protestationsY Not at all. On the con.
trary it 10 an insult to the gnty Of the peo
pie to attempt TO deprive them of the right, in
their individual end independents caps"i'v. =" ..y
whom they prefer for the Board Of Public Works.
without being dictated 70 ls an irresponsible ea'i-
Gus Of designing politicians. The attempt strikes
at the very root of the doctrine Of the sovereignty
of the people, who are distrustiul enough Of Com
yentions to nominate candidates for political Off
ces to say nothing of Offices which have no con-
nection, direct or remote, with the subject Of Fed
eral politics.
The Office of Commissioner of the Board Of
Public Works is in some respects an Executive,
and in some respects Judicial one. As an Ex-
eeutve officer Of the Commonwealth, it is the duty
Of the Commissioner to see that the laws Of the
State % far as they are applicable to the peculiar
sphere Of his duties, are faithfully carried out and
enforced. Does q mans ability to do this depend
upon his party predictions? Not at all, On the
contrary, every one will admit that, other things
being equal, he would make the best officer who
was entirely free of the impulses and passions Of
party, and proceeded only upon the cool and de-
liberate convictions Of his unbiased Judgment.
So, also, in respect Of his Judicial functons-the
Commissioner would the more faithfully exercise
fair and impartial judgment, who was indebted
to no mere party fer his Office, but held commits
their sovereign capacity.
These truths must be evident to every rejecting
mind. So far As we have SEEN the people have
made no call for Convention 10 nominate can
ddate for the Board of Public Works. How
many counties out Of the fifty counties OF the Dis
trict, have intimated desire for Convention!
Not single one, so far as have heard Why
then, this attempt to impose party candidate
upon the people. for an Office in respect polti-
ical, when the peoplehave not only not called for
Convention, but have shown absolute repug-
nance to having one by neglecting to send dele
gates'
These are the views honestly entertained, we
doubt not, BY the great mass Of the voters of the
Dstrict-and it 10 because thisis tho almost unani-
nous sentiment of the people that Gen Stoyall
and Mr.. Tredway have concluded to appeal, in
advance, from the dictum Of irresponsible Con
vention, TO the final arbtraI.cnt of the people
themselves We honor, their Independence and
their manliness, and call upon all others in the
District, ambitious Of serving the State in the
Board Of Public Works, to follow their example
Let Gen. Clay, Mr.. WI llace, Mr. Daniel Mr. Bur
we'll Of Bedford, Gen. Blow Of Norfolk. and all thu
others whose names have been men,iuned by the
friends. submit their claims to the people ut tn
polls, instead Of to the uncertain decision of
party Convention. In this way ouly will the 4,
feated candidates be satisfied with the result-an
in this way only will there be likelihood of tn
people obtaining the man Of their choice, and II
most competent man for the office to be filed.
Mexican Frotectorate.
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