Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-04-03
For the Spectator.
To NV FelIow.Citizens of the County o
Augusta, &c.

| Eellow-citizens 1t is one OF the glorious
privileges of our free institutions that no individ
ual however humble his condition, is excluded
from aspiring to any Office in the gift of thel
people. The high and the low, the rich and the|
poor, the man of qualifications AID he without
any, alike stand upon the same broad platform(
For many long years have desired TO serve}
my fellow citizens in some pubic capacity and
as they will in May next be called upon to Cas-
their suffrages for individuals to fill the variou
important offices, | have thought that tho
chances of my being elected then will be as gooC
as at auy future time, and | therefore, thus pub
lcly, without consultation and entirely on mi
own responsibility, announce myself candidate
The only difficulty presenting ITSELF is the selec
ton of the Office best suited to my abilities.
at one time entertained the idea of Offering fo
the Judgeship in the 18th District; but as Nd
Fultz has been brought out by "Many Farmers
n opposition to Judge Thompson, to save bothy
of them the modification OF defeat, havel
concluded to let them try their strength beforel
the people. In some respects the Clerkship'
would suit me adInirably-being ready pens
man, and not entirely unaccustolned to draw
ing up instruments of writing; but in the event
OF my election, would be compelled to removed
to StauntoD, and as my wife thinks that as shel
and the children have been raised in the country
and as it would take them long time to becolI
familiar with city customs and manners, she eI
ters her protest against such move. The sam
objection lies in the way of the Sheriffalty ; b,
from some hints casually thrown out, believe
little persuasion would reconcile her to my be
ing a candidate for that office. And here pc
init me to say that as the candidates for this Off
have promptly responded to the interrogatoril
propounded and defined their positions, to pr
vent any misconception, | viii very briefly sta
tho rulo bu which 7 will ha uOvarnad I hal
never, by word or otherwise, mentioned a So
liable to any one in regard to my being a cant
date; and can with equal truth say that
one has ever intimated the subject to me-:
that am perfectly free and unt-ammeled, ar
as the people seem to have dread of the d
Deputies, in the event of my election, / wou
not touch one of them with ten foot Ypoles
And as perhaps some curiosity may be- exci
in regard to my Deputies, and to prevent bel
annoyed by the application OF individuals
ride under me, will here state that it is n
intention to make my selections from the
feated candidates, dividing the time as. equal
between them as can. The people / thiI
will not object to this, for worthier set Of fe
lows end treer from all entanging allane
could never be found. | will not detain yo
with remarks upon Commissioners of the Rey7
nue., Constable, or Overseer of the Poor.
After full and free conversation with n
wife, she has yielded all her objections to liyin
in town, and submit my claims to my fellow
citizens. to place me in such Office as they ma
deem proper. Should it be their pleasure to
call me to preside over the 18th Judicial Dis
trict, in the language of Mr.. Fultz, pledge my
self to awake the sleeping Docket" if such
thing exists. Ii elected Clerk, the same rule
will govern me, as the one in regard to the
Sherifalty. If Commissioner of the Revenue,
will at the proper time enter upon the duties of
the office If Constable, leniency and mercy
will be mingled with strict justice; and If Over
seer of the Poor, the poor in all cases requiring
attention shall be attended to, and all monies
placed in my hands for their benefit, shall be
promptly and faithfully applied to their relief
Like the Judiciary, the opinion is entertained
by some, that there is sort of sleeping docket
attached to this institution; if SO, it too ought
to be aroused from its slumbers, and it will be
my aim to aid in the accomplishment of so de-
sirable an end, and pledge myself to use all
my endeavors to bring about, and that speedily,
such q reformation in the working of this whole
machinery as will crafty enure to the benefit of
the whole county. I
Eelow-citizens, am done-my case is before
you-do with me as you may see fit; and be
assured, that on this, as on all occasions, will,
in the language of the immortal Henry, bow
with the utmost Difference to the majesty of the
people. JONAS OFFIoE-SEEKER.