Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-03-15
The Discussion in Prince William.

The Court gave way. i'll the afternoon. on
Monday last, in order to afford the several
candidates for Congress al opportunity To
address the people of the county.
Gov. Smith first took the stand. and after
thanking the Democrats Of Prince William
for the renewed mark Of confidence they had
expressed in resolution passed in a Demo-
cratic meeting which had Just adjourned,
proceeded to give an account OF his stew
ardship." He said many and interesting
questions had arisen during the late session
of Congress. Two great States had been adj
ded to the Union--that he had voted against
the admission of both. and that while he did
not feel inclined to admit, by his vote, any
more free States, this was not the main rea
son that governed him in his vote, what the
reason was we do not remember 10 have
heard him state.) The Governor dwclt for
some length of time on the financial c"ndl-
ton Of the country-Some time since. he re-
marked we had millions of surplus III the
Treasury. The present depressed condition
Of the country arose from various CAUSES
they originate in the changes Of the times.
\ tuctuation of trade. he said. bcgat Il iiuc
tuaticn of expenses \ heavy cxpcnse->ix
to the Capitol buildings-there were debt,
that had to be paid, and the increase in the
salaries of members of Congress. govern
ment officers, &C., all tended to increase the
expenses of the government. i'ov. Smith
had advocated, in caucus of the Dcmocra
tic members. rctrcnchment. and submitted
proposition. commencing 10y curtailing the
salaries of members Of Congress. \ power
full effort was made to raise the tariii.-he
thought the public expenditure could be
brought down to the present revenue. lie
stated that an extra session OF Congress
would probably be called. The Governors
time having expired, he concluded by an
nonncing himself a candidate for reelection.
Mr.. Shackelford next took the stand. He
was still candidate for Congress but was
ready to submit his claims to II Congressional
Convention, If the Democratic party was
beaten, it would not be- his fault. lie said
that Gov. Smith had given the most meagre
account of his representative course that he
had ever heard given by any representative
that he had not defined his position on
many of the great questions which had been
before Congrcs,--that he had told them he
voted against the admission of two new
States. but had assigned no reason for 81
doing. Mr.. Shackeltord said he was himself
Democrat. and expected Democratic sup
port. Gov Smith was not entitled To it-he
had solicited the nomination Of the Know
Nothing party for Governor. in opposition 10
Mr.. Wise. He stated that he was credlhy
informed that, on the evening before the
election IN $3.50, there Htr1 two political
meetings held in Alexandria by tho
Democratic party, AT the l.vceum Hall the
other By the American party, ut American
Hall. Coy. Smith was At the Marshall
House, in TINT city. at the time. He. Gov.
S did not attend the Democratic meeting: a
committee from the Know Nothing Council
waited on him, and invited him To- addreS, +.
them in their meeting. which he consented
to do. and started in company with this com /.
mttee 90 the hall i'll which their meeting was
being held having proceeded more than a .
square: they were met by Il gentleman who .
advised the Governor 10 return 20 the Mar
shall House, and address the Americans
from that place and he accordingly return .
ed: the committee reported to the council .
that Coy Smith was ready I" e,ra-s them
at the Marshall House, and the meeting adj 7
iournad 10 that place. where he addressed .
them. Nr. SHACK ford sad ae held in his
hand letters from John Minor Bolts, K. /.
Walker. and {. ". Lowi-, all Of whom state
that Gov. :. did, in letter written b. him
to Mr. Walker. before the meeting OF the
Winchester Convention. whlr! letter Is now
in Gov. Smiths possession. solicit the hn"w
Nothing nomination for Governor. GOV,
Smith said it was simply Il lie. and On being
b. Mr. Shackelford as to wheth,
or he meant to apply it 70 him. discla'm"d
such intention Mr. ShacAciiord tkeH read
The letters from Mcssrs. Lewis and Walker,
md WIS sbout TO read that from Mr.. Bolts,
when il was anno.aced that his time had
expired.
Major Thomas said that the Governor con-
,iisred the President Of the United States
he embodiment Of the Democratic party.
md read from speech Of the Governor 10
prove it, He said many of the measures re
in the Presidents message, were
uch Us had been suggested and approved by
he Wings. He adverted to the tariff OF
842 and 1916, and showed the prosperity OF
he country under the former, and its pecu-
liary embarrassment under the latter. He
aid that in 1912 the Governor advocated
eveuus from direct taxes for governmental
Import, and asked him if he We. in favor Of