Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-03-30

To the Editor Of tie Aicrandriu Gazette:
WARRENToN, VA, March .G, lS14- no.
tice, with surprise, in our county paper, as
taken from your $, the announcement that large
number OF gentlemen, whose names are given,
are candidates for this Congressional District
now 50 worlhy and ably represented by Gen.
Eppa Hunton Among those mcatOued l tud
my name now, as | have not and do not en-.
terrain any such purpose, you vii! please with
draw my uame from the crowd, to which, you
ascribc, to say the least Of it. such premature
aspirations.
1t was only few months ago that General
Huntou was selected, by a Convention Of this
District as our candidate for Congress, aud IL
November last was triunphantly elected: aud,
already, it would seem, Vaccinations are at
work 10 Dust him. What meaus this? 1t has
been the custom Of Virginia 10 give generous
confidence to her public servants and tn mani
fest it by re-eectious, 50 long as they dcmeaned
themselves in manner becoming their r~spec-
tive positions; and it will not, l au persuaded,
be departed from iu this district. We owe to
this pulley our great influence in the Federal
Councils IN the past, securing thereby Repre-
Other States have been Induced to adopt this
policy to the great improvement OF their stand
lug and reputation, and it will never do for Us
to abardon it.
Conventions may be, and undoubtedly are,
sometimes necessary, in fixing upon a candi-
date Tor the first time, 10 harmOnZing divided
party upon great question of Constitutional
power, or upon an important measure OF pub
lie policy, for instance. They should be the
cDpedient, aud not the rule Of party orgaulZi-
tiou-to be resorted TO in cXlgencl"s AMI not
as matter of course in all elections \ man
once selected by a Convention and elected by
the people aud assured of his re election, if he
deserved it, would devote himself TO the public
service, even at the sacrifice ef his private busl
ness, and assdunusly cndeavor to establish
himself in the confidence of his constituents,
and TO win high position IN the country al
large. The obligation to elect the nominee OF
a Convention is regarded as mperitive-sureIy,
the reelection Of such nominee caenot be less
so, if, without any supervcning objection, he
uni,es to the considerations which gave him
his first nomination, an increased ability to per
form the duties Of the Office. a different poll.
cy rapidly corrupts the people. We are told
that in New York ii is regular business TO get
up and manage Conventions, aud to give their
nominations to those who will pay the price
fixed for them. How any good citizen can de-
sire such state Of thugs here Cannot CONCEIVE
and yet it is the sure an certain consequence Of
the general adoption Of the Convention system.
1t has been the custom of Virginia not to
elect 10 any political office until it Eas vacant.
Ii this way she retained her influence and coz
troll over her representative to the end OF his
term, and with u full knowledge Of his record,
could wisely decide as to the propreiy of his
reelection But the act Of Congress, which
directs the election for Congress TO take place
in November, months before the expiration OF
the existing term, cumpels the people. if they
re-eect their member, to do so without his
complete record, or if they supercede HIM by
the election of another, then their relation with
their member must be most unpleasant; while
he, offended and indignant, would be too apt,
for the residue of his term, to consult only his
own interests Now, | can see no occasion for
the election taking place before the Spring, aud
| beg oour Influence in favor Of the change.
Most respectfully yours,
VIM SMITH