The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-01-03
Our Virginia Correspondence.

The tise and Hunter Contest and the Public Print
ing-1he Ntrt Presidsncy--7 Legislature in
Fog ,cih regard 10 the Election Of a Lieutenant
Gorernor- The -4ppointee Of the Gorernor and
Probable Consequences Of his Defeat for the Sue
csssion- Character Of the Present Legislature
The Ueather. SC.
sent you some days ago full report of an inter-
eSing debate had in the House of Delegates here on
the state printing but, owing doubtless to an I'M
usual pressure upon your space it has not been pub
lished. have reason to know that it was much
sought after in certain political circles said to be in
no small degree identified with the movement
The effort to deprive Mr. Richie of the public
printing has begat degree of indignation on the
part of wises friends which is not apt soon to die
out. Better rr for the harmony Of the democratic
party in Virginia that such movement never had
been made. The compromise to which wise's friends
yielded in the election of Hunter was, at best, but
superficial and an involuntary concession for expe
diency sake and to disturb il needed but very
tiining The question OF the public printing
j. now before joint committee Of both Houses for
investigation and when it comes before the House
for FINAL action | have reason to apprehend
that discussions will arise with reference to it
which will prove by no means consistent with the
future harmony OF the party in Virginia. Had thi
question been brought up prior TO the election
Mr. Hunter to the Senate, you would have had such
a dsunon in both houses upon that subject as never
witnessed before in Virginia. wses friends would
have insisted upon presenting his for that posi-
tion, and making the Senatorial question fair test
OF strength N between himself and Hunter Such
at least are the feelings Of many of Wises friends
with whom have conyerEed upon that subject.
A. al La ftilu all4 .nfk and
for the Presidency, can say with confidence that the
former j. the choice Of the great majority of both
houses. / have heard many who voted for Hunters
reelection say that they did by way o cornpro-
mise, determined 10 back Wise for the Presidency.
This seems To- lie the sentiment of the great majority
of both branches of the Legislature, whose feelings
and opinions | have carefully canvas-cd upon the
subject. They are determined. 50 far ~ the in
uence of Virginia obyiatc Il. That Wise will not
again 20 into retirement. And 80 sangIine arc his
friends in reference 60 this matter. la view uf the
concession which tney have made by eectmg
Hunter, that disappouinitnt would C-trlnre them
election was % concession 60 harmony aud unity
in the party. gctuatcd in no small degree
by the prospect 81 finding in the Presidency an
OH 81 tor This boon. can saw confidently that any
coInTetlion against " i,c iof tie Presidency in Nif
GINA will not be tlcuted. not even among q large
number who favored Hunters nc election from the
start Marx this prediction.
\ question OF peculiar emhlrTT .melt has occu-
pied the attention OF the Legislature for several
days past. IL is the filling OF the vacancy in the
Lieutenant Goyenorhp Oi the State. created by
the resignation Of Mr.. McComas. wno was elected
cutenpomneously with Governor Wise. The Cover
nor, in pursuance Of power vested in him by the
constitution 10 OIL all vacancies occurring during
the recess Of the General Assembly. appointed Mr..
Vim. l.. jackson. from the Allegheny region of
the State, 10 fill that Office. Under the constitution.
this appointment ceases at the end Of thirty days
after the commencement OF the session. and IL
therefore dcvolycs upon the Legislature 70 provide
a substitute. wide diversity Of opinion exists
with reference To the power Of that body to elect
Lieutenant Governor, some contending that neither
the Governor had the power to appoint, nor the le-
gislature had the power 20 elect substitute. They
maintain that the Governors power TO hl gacancies
occurring during the recess OF the General Assem-
bly, az derived from the constitution, has reference
merely Ia offices that are elective by the Legsla-
turc and not by the people; while on the
other hand IL u contended that the clause in
the constitution which provides that after the Lieu
tenant Governor shall succeed 90 the Office Of GO
vernon. should il become vacant by death, removal
resignaiio1 SC, thc General Assembly shall provide
by law for the discharge OF the executive functions
in other necessary cases. empowers that body TO
elect y Lieutenant Governor. " the former con
struction OF the constitution should prove correct
every act Of the present Legislature will be invalid
the Senate not being duly organized. IL y contend
I'd i'm that connection, however, that that body has
the power of appinting President pro fem. ~ in
the cases of the United states senate; but that
only be done at the expiration Of the Governors
commission, under Wnlcn the actng iicutenat trO-
vernon holds his position for thirty days after the
commencement of the session. Meanwhile oil bills
passed are 20 be null and void IT, according 20 the
FORMER construction, the Governor had no power %
confer ths commission. The clause in the State
constitution of Virginia making provisions for the
filling Of the Office of Governor IN The event of the
death &C., of that officer analogous 20 the clause
in the federal constitution with reference To the
c-,sion 20 the Presidency under like contingencies
differing however, in this respect, that the state
constitution empowers the General Assembly
under the clause quoted above, to provide
by law for the discharge of the eXecu-
tive functions in other necessary cases"
embracing, no doubt. the election OF Lieutenant
Governor while under the federal constitution no
power IL vested in Congress 10 till the office OF Vice
President should Il become vacant. Under this
clause the Committee Of Courts of Justice, to whom
the subject was referred, has reported bill provd-
ing for the manner Of filling vacancies IN the office
OF Lieutenant Governor. The commission OF the
Governor. under which the present incumbent OF
the Office is acting, viii expire on the 9th OF next