The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-09-26
-----------------------------
HON, JAMES ii. PLATT, JR.

The campaign in the Second district has
opened under brilliant auspices. Colonel
Plat, the Republican candidate. is one Of
the most able and descrvedly popular
champions Of our party in the country.
The district convention proved their wisdom
and sagacity in selecting him as the stand
ard. bearer of the party of liberty and pro-
gress in the great contest of the Presidential
year. Colonel Plat is making the fight
with his usual force and yigor, and is carrying
everything before him. lie is winning
golden opinions by the courteous boldness
with which he meets his opponents in dis
cassion and advocates the principles Of
which he has been the lifelong supporter.
lie convinces unprecedented men everywhere
by his mastery vindcation Of the Admin
istration.
Mr.. Platt brings into the stormy field of
political life decided natural talents,
improved by liberal education. His bust
ness qualifications are of the highest order.
He possesses firmness ofpurpose, strength
ened by suavity of demeanor. While not
an impassioned orator, who can "make
the worse appear the better reason" he is
a ready debater and appeals success
fully to the judgment if he does not capti-
vate the imagination. ISIS
Mr.. Platt's parents are respected citizens
of Vermont, residing at Queechy in thai
State. Having graduated in the medical
department of the University of Vermont,
he chose the medical profession and prac.
ticed with success until the breaking out Of
the war, when he joined the - Vernon
regiment as volunteer and served with
fidelity and honor until the close Of the
war. Attracted by the climate and natural
advantages Of Virginia, he remained in thu
State and engaged in business pursuits, be
ljeying, with hundreds of others. that herr
was fair field for enterprise.
With other investments he became pro
pretor of Jarratt's Hotel in Petersburg
and it is said demontrated that he possess
ed that rare tact which must be exercised
by him who "knows how to keep hotel
successfully. The failure of the State LIE
gislature of Virginia to realize that the wa
was over, secession overthrown, and slave
ny dead, compelled the government
adopt other measures for the establshmer
Of peace founded upon equal and exa'
justice to all. AS that was impossible III
der the Constitution Of 1850, conventio
was ordered under the Reconstruct ion a.
for the purpose of SO amending that instr,
ment that the rights of every citizen shou
be chartered rights, and not the creatur,
of legislation.
Mr.. Plat was elected as one of the del
gates to represent Petersburg in the CONVEX
ton which framed our present Constitution
and at once became prominent memb
of that body. His course was distinguis
ed by that strict adherence to princip
and liberality of sentiment which ha,
marked his whole political life.
The vote which adopted the Constitute
in July, 1869, elected Mr.. Platt as Co
gresham from the Second district to Il
Forty-frst Congress, and his able represen
alton of his constituency was so fully a
preciated that he was reelected as Il
representative Of the same district again
1870. During the session of the Forty-fir
Congress Mr.. Plat was instrumental
securing the following appropriations
Improvement of Appomattox fiver..So0. O
New Lighthouses (Virgnia) ............ Asa
Repairs Castom-house, Petersburg ......... 200
Special repairs, &C., Navy Yard........... 700
The survey of the James River al
Kanawha Canal had been urged upon Co
gress for years without success. Mr. Plat
active influence did much to secure {
appropriation for the survey now bel
made, and he is an earnest advocate of 1
completion of the canal by the genel
government. An appropriation W
secured for the survey Of Norfolk harbc
and Elizabeth and Nansemond rivers, viii