Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-05-13
The Great Issue.

Although there are many insuperable OBJ
ipctions to John Ietcher. we do not regard
his individual opinions and past record rs II
politician. as constituting the great issue OF
the canvass The contest now going on III
the State of Virginia reaches forward in its
consequences 20 the Presidential struggle OF
1860. the result of which will depend very
much upon the success or defeat OF John
Letcher He stands forth the representa-
tive man of the party in power, to whose
misrule we are indebted for depleted trea-
sury and an enormous public debt; all the
departments IF the government groaning
beneath the pressure of present embarrass-
ment, with nothing in the future to hope tor
but bankruptcy and ruin. The great ques-
ton. then. for the people of Virginia to de-
eide is, whether they will again endorse the
party in power, by the election of MIR. Letch-
er. or place the seal of their reprobatlon
upon it by his defeat The government has
become 50 corrupt as to send forth an in
sutferable stencil" Roger A. Pryor even III
the nostrils of those who placed the present
administration in power. The Democratic
party of Virginia are especially responsible
tor the conduct of the present Administra-
ton. the very Convention that nominated
Mr. Letchcr having endorsed the Admins
traton by special resolution. To elect MIR.
Letcher, therefore. is to endorse the Admin
istration and confirm the power of the party
which has brought the country to its present
condition of financial embarrassment by 4
course of wastetul extravaganza and in many
case, deliberate plumber. This we conceive
to be the great issue Of the canvass-the I'M
portant aspect of the pending election. Are
the people of Virginia prepared to do it,
There can be no question that the election
of Mr. Letcher will perpetuate the powers
that be, and there will be no end to the abu-
,es that now prevail to such an alarming
extent Have "" any evidence Of II change
for the better. Look for moment at one
department Of the Government. The post
office department has been SO managed here
tofore that it has failed to pay expenses, and
has been carried On ut an enormous cost to
the Government The last Congress adj
iuurned without making provision for the
mail service, and the Department has been
forced to let out the contracts upon credit
Iii view of past experience, and the great
cutlery that has come up from all parts ~
the country for retrenchment in the public
eA ptHultuIeN, We HiPHt SuPPonc e'"' "ohA0
little effort would nave been made to econo-
mize in this Department. But the recent con-
tracts for mail service does not show any
disposition Of the kind Instead Of a reduc-
ton Of expenses the contracts have been
made ut largely increased figures, in some
instances four times as much being allowed
for the same service rs had heretofore been
paid 1t may be objected that the Depart
ment awarded these contracts to the lowest
bidders, but when traced back it will be
found that these high bids were occasioned
by the negligence of Congress to pass the
necessary appropriation, and the failure OF
the President to call an extra session. 1t is
plain that we are to expect no diminution
Of expense in the operations of the govern
ment while the Democratic party continues
in power. If the people desire an economl-
cal and judicious administration of public
affairs, they must arise in their ma iesty and
turn out the untaithful servants. The first
steps in this direction must be here in Nir-
ginia the strong hold of the dominant par
ty-bv refusing TO sustain or vote for the
man who is put forward by that party for
the highest Office in their gift,-Haumton
SpcctdtOr.