Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-05-10
The Great Issue.

Altbonpb there are many insuperable oolec
tions to John Letcher, we do not regard MS III
diyidual opinions and past record as pohtieian
as constituting the great issue OF the canvass.
The contest now going on in the State OF virginia
reaches forward in its consequences to the fres-
;dort;aI struggle of 1860, the result OF which
will depend very much upon the success or de-
feat Of John Letcher. He stands forth the re-
preventative man of the party in power, 10 whose
misrule we are indebted for depleted treas
ury and an enormous public debt; oil the de-
partments of the government grooming oeneath
the pressure of present embarrassment, with
nothing in the future to hope for but bankrupt
cy and ruin. The great question, thens Tor the
neonle of Virginia to decide is whether they will
again endorse the party in power, by the cleo
ton of Mr.. Letcher, or place the seal OF their
reprobation upon it by his defeat The govern
mept has become so corrupt as to "send forth an
insuHerable stencil" Roger a. Pryor. even IN
the nostrils of those who placed the present adj
ministration in power. The Democratic party
of Virginia are especially responsible tor tne
conduct of the present Administration, the very
Convention that nominated Mr. Letcher having
endorsed the Administration by special resolu-
ton. To elect Mr.. Letoher, therefore, IS TO en-
dorse the Administration and confirm the power
of the party which has brought the country to
its present condition of financial embarrassment
nv course of wasteful extravaganza and IN
many cases deliberate plumber. This we con-
ceiye to be the great issue OF the canVass-the
important 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 abuses that now pre-
vail to such an alarming extent. Have we any
evidence of change for the betteri Look Tor
a moment at one department OF the Government
The post.ofice department. has been SO managed
heretofore that it has failed to pay expenses, and
has been carried on at an enormous cost to the
Government. The last Congress adjourned with
out making provision for the mail service, sno
tbe Department has been forced to let out the
contracts upon credit. In view OF past expert
ence, and the great cutlery that has come VI
from ell parts of the country for retrenchmen'
in the public expenditures, we might suppose
that some little effort would have been made &c
economic in this Department. But the recent
contracts for mail service does not show any dis
position of the kind. Instead Of reduction o.
expenses. the contracts have been made at large
" increased figures, in some instances four times
as much being allowed for the same service as
had heretofore been paid. 1t may be objected
that the Department awarded these contracts
to the lowest bidders, but when traced back 1t
will be found that these high bids were occa'
stoned 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 government while the
Democratic party continues in power. II the
people desire an economical and judicous adj
ministratiou of public affairs they must arise In
their majesty and turn out the unfaithful SER
wants. The first steps in this direction must be
here in Virgiuia-the strong hold of the domi-
nant party-by refusing to sustain or vote Tor
the man who is put forward by that party for
the highest office in their gift.