American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1861-08-10
State officers. &c.

The election of State officers and members
of Congress begins to attract considerable
attention. The election takes place on the
first Monday in October, less than two
months off, and it is time the people were
casting about for the best men to fill the va
rious offices. Party politics are generally
ignored, and men ought, and we have no
doubt will be chosen with reference only -te,
their ability and fitness for the various posi-
| tons.
| 1t has been the custom heretofore to elect
officers for a second term, provided thev
have been faithful in the discharge of their
official duties. We see no reason why this
rule should be departed from in the present
instance, especially as the minds of the peo-
pie are engressed with other subjects, and
there seems to be little disposition to have
heated and exciting canvass.
We have heard of no complaints against
the present incumbents, except Gov. Pettus;
and against him only vague charges of ineffi-
cheney, without any specifications. We con-
fess we do not know what Gov Pettus has
done that he could have avoided. and what
left undone that he could possibly have done,
to engender this feeling of opposition to him.
But it is impossible for any man to hold any
Office two years without giving offense to
some, especially if he goes straight forward
according to the dictates of his own judg-
meDt and conscience, and administers his Of
flee without fear, favor or Affection" as
Gov. Pettus seems to have done.
We see by the Mississippian that some
dozen or two gentlemen have written let
ter to Mr.. Madison McAfee, requesting him
to permit his name to be used as a candidate
to the Governorship, to which he has con-
sented. We have, therefore, two candidates
in the field for Governor as we learn Gov.
Pettus is a candidate for reelection.
For Congress, for the State at large, Maj.
E. Barksdale, by common consent, is a can
didate without opposition. For the other
place on the ticket several prominent gentle
men have been named-Gen. Patrick Henry,
of Rankin, Hon. Amos r. johnson, of Kinds,
john VIC. Watson, of Marshall, and others
The name of the latter gentleman seems to
meet with more favor than any other.
Mr.. Watson is prominent lawyer of
Holly Springs, is a gentleman of fine talents,
and withal sound, original thinker, and
practical, working man. He would serve
the State ably and efficiently in the Con-
gress. We hope he may be taken up by the
press and the people, as Maj. Barksdale has
been, and elected without opposition.
The recent Legislature re-districted the
State, by which Madison was attached to
Attala, Leake, Holmes, Carroll, Yazoo and
Sunhower. We do not know, since the dis
tricts have been changed, whether Col. Sim
gleton will continue a candidate; though, on
the eve of his departure for the seat of war,
he announced himself candidate for Con-
gress in his district, and we do not believe
the ange in the district will change his pur~
pose. Col. Singleton must be regarded as a
candidate until his name is withdrawn by
authority.
Hon. j. A. P. Campbell, of Attala, who is
at present member of Congress-or
q Deputy" elected by our State Convention
is also candidate in this, now the 5th
district.
In the 9th district, composed of the coun-
ties of Kinds, Rankin, Scott, Newton, Lau-
derdale, Simpson, Smith, Jasper and Clarke, .
George L. Swan has announced himself
candidate, and it is thought the friends of
the Hon. w. A. Lake will bring him forward
for the same position.
We have not taken sufficient interest in .
the subject to notice particularly who have I
been spoken of for Congress in the other
districts.