Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-06-28

Judge Henry W. Thomas being one of the
many "Rchmonds in the field to represent this
old tlme-hon"red District in Congress, few
lines to present the claims of Judge Thomas, OF
Fairfax it is hoped will not be regarded ms in
admissible for surely his fine talents, cultva-
ton, purity and elevation of character and lcgiS
ative experience entitle him to rank among the
first stat smen of the ID strict, and place hun
second to no one in qualifications to ubly repre-
sent it in Congress. More than thirty years ex-
perience in public life, ms member for many
years of both branches of the Legislature, Au-
d:tor and Judge, based upon his fine mind and
legal requirements, must have admirably quail
fled him for amy higher position. And his ell
forts during the exciting scenes of the last =es.
sion rs President pro TEN o. the Senate aud
chairman Of its Finan Committee, csta lisncd
his reputation rs man of commanding ability,
so much so that the Richmond Enquirer, daily
witness dur ny the discussions upon the Fund
ing Bill pronounced him zone OF The strongest
men ia the State" and fin the State. certainly
in this District But rs an inevitable con>e-
Quence in large body of dscorda dement's
and men OF different views upon vital ques IONS
ul great financial importance, it was imposs bic
to agree with and please all.
The repeal Of the famous Funding Bill proved
the great Pandoris box to conceal many dlth
culties, to open the food gates OF discussion md
discussion. Although majority we're elected
pledged to the repeal of this measure yet hardly
half dozen could agree upon any proper mrdus
operandi to effect it without coming in contact
| with the Courts and the Charge of reputation.
| Hence the ublest members and clearcst imam
! cial heads had To change tier status almost
daily; not that they changed their fnancia!
views, but to change their position. TO suit
| others, and effect c. mpromise to accomplish
the end in view. Thus it was difficult matter
| to steer between the extremes, 'Scylla and
! Chary bids, and not be wrecked on one or the
other. To dlsobey constituents for repeal, or be
charged with reputation: and 1t dcvoved upon
Judge Thomas, Us CHAIRMAN of the Finance
| Committee, to mature bill TO meet t @ emer-
perry. But it had to be done by reducing the
interest ON State stock from six four per cent,
and changing the C uDops which caused he hue
and ely Of Reputation md loss to widows by
Il is reduction Of Interest, when it was well
| known that for every widow who lost this two
per cent there were half dozen widows OF
| Confederate soldiers who would receive nothing
and had nothing, except u small homestead per-
hups, taxed to pay this interest; and three
fourths of the publi' debt were held by captul-
lists out of the State, purchased probably al
half it; value
1t was not that Judge Thomas loved Caesar
i less b II that he loved Rome more" not that
h. disregarded the clnims of the widows and
foreign capitalists, but he regarded the interests
Of his constituents and n majority Of the people
Ms paramount to all other consid ration&.
1t is true there WAS sufficient money in the
treasury to pay the first two instalm"nts OF H.
t1rcSt ut SIX per cent, out inc uhallciai bHlccr;
had been called upon and they could not figure
up any process by which this could be continued
i without an increase of taxes.
it was also distinctly understood that thee
must be Il reassessmcnt Of lands, which wonld
greatly reduce the amount of taxes from that
source and even with present assessment the
taxes were merely sufficient to pay the four per
cent on the public debt ana defray the expense:
Of government 1t, therefore, became Il great
desideratum to so tax other commodities (ral
roads, &c J never taxed before. so rs TO make
up for tue reduction of taxes by reasScssm nt
With th: view the Finance Committee tollet
successfully and accomplished it. he taxes mr.
not increased although lands are assess d much
10 ser in many sect oEs. =,
By reference to Legislative proceedings 1t vii
be seen that Judge Thomas sustained every
m, assure of relief To an impoverished people, eX
cept that known NJ the "Georgiu scheme" anC
that was 50 crude and mprncticabe its Owl
friends could not unite upon it,
Hence, MS his status Def re the nominating
convention will b. quail. if not superior, to thai
of any other gentleman, the hope is INDUCED
by his friends that he will receive the nomi M
ton and if lie should, his election will be Il Ger
t4nty, and the old District, though greatly en-
arged will be AS ably represented rs in the beS
days of the Republic by It's most talented An
distinguished statesmen
i ie.9.It PIEDMONT.