The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1875-11-25
Hon q ]. +. Lewis.
We find in the Winchester Times Of the 18th
the following paragraphs; 49,. ....

Hon. ]. F. Lewis.
We find in the Winchester Times of the 18th
the following paragraph: - .s.
''AIark. now; how plain tale shall put you
down. Since the war the Valley has had no
honors. She has paid proportionably the
taxes, ami rolled up the heaviest Con-
sentative majoriies, but hats had none OF the
':leatlrng lfof1ors. :" The Governors and Sena-
tors, until the election Of Senator Withers,
have been mainly elected by Southsde infiu-
encc. AS for the Hon. J. f. Lewis, we pro-
test against his being charged lip against us.
He was in no sense representative OF the
Valley, and his election was due neither TO his
locality nor politics but to the fact tina: he
was Lieut. Governor and had the appoint
ment of certain committees of the State Sen.
ate, all of which our friends of the Ne,Us and
landmark know about as we'll as we. The
candidate supported by the Conservatives Of
the Valley was Judge Edmund Pendleton Of
this city, and if he had been elected, as he
would have been, but for the interference Of
the aforesaid Sonthside influence, it would
have been an honor that would have counted
The Soutl,side. therefore, is entitled to what
ever of honor there was in Mr.. Lewis cleo
ton.
We know nothing about the inside influences
chat controlled in the election of Hon. John
T. Lewis to the U. S. Senate in 1869. The
writer OF the above paragraph may SPEAK
from the book in regard to the effect of the pow
ers OF the 1t. Governor Ill the appointment OF
committees operated. But when the Times
asserts that Senator Lewis was Sin no sense a
representative OF the Valley" it errs greatly,
and does injustice not only TO Mr.. Lewis, but
to the constituents he faithfully anu efficiently
represented. lie was emphatically a repre-
sentative of the people Of his practically
the only representative we had in the Senate
for Senator johnson nearly always sought the
influence Of Mr.. Lewis to accomplish any bus
mess that was requested of him to attend to
n o man, of whatever politics or condition, ey.
er applied to Mr.. Lewis to assist him il
business before the department. that the re-
quest WAS not promptly and cheerfally granted
and the matter proposed looked after. Unless
it was in some political appointment, he never
asked as to the political utilization of those wht
sought his influence. For six years, he labor
ed with all industry and fidelity never before
surpassed by any representative Virginia hat
sent to Congress i'll behalf Of her people ant
State. knowing this to be the fact, we can
not but regard the remarks of the Times as al
ungracious reflection upon his representative
character, which does no credit to the head OF
the heart of the writer of it.
In what we have said, we do not intend tc
reflect upon Senator JoIlnson's willingness tt
l.; D,,kl tl,r
with the administration. and could not be a.
useful as his colleague for that reason, if fol
no other. Both OF the present Senators from
Virginia will not be able to effect as much TO
their constituents during their entire terms. a
Senator Lewis could in two months time. Th,
departments and the President and the Senat.
had the utmost confidence in his int egrity an,
it was rarely that he failed in any request that
he made, whether for Conservative OF Repub
lican.
1t is quite possible the Times had in view thu
political opinions of Mr.. Lewis when the par
agraph we are considering was written. Ii tina
was the case, it should have SO stated. II
make the broad assertion that Senator Levi
assuring more than any fair minded man il
Virginia will endorse, and results from a mar
row AMI contracted view of representative
trust. whic., is not in keeping with justice
loving journaiisn. x
Mr. Lewis is not in public position now, MOI
is he candidate fer pu1lic favor, nor would
he accept any Office that wo;1ld likely be ten
dered him. 1t is not for the purpose of pro
noting his personal interests or ambitions
that we have felt called upon to refute the i'm
putation cast upon him by the Times. ut t
do justice to faithful public officer, a high.
toned gentleman sensitively alive to the cour.
tesies and amenities due to a gentleman from
gentlemen. The people of this State will, not
accord with the statement written by our co.
temporary. and we are surprised that the cul
tured gentleman, who edits the Times, should
80 lar have forgotten the proprieties Of his DO.
sition as to have. written the sentence to which
we have more paAiciilai1y referred Il .asa
----s-4=-< >---4----.
We see il stated in several papers that the re
is to BE a re-organiz: alton of the Republican
party, re- distribution Of the federal officers,
md to that end humber OF Virginia Repub-
leans have appointed,a meeting in Washing
ton city.
a similar announcement is given o1t ev-
cry year, but as yet we have Sen no good
from it. They meet. pass resolu.. lions, and
hen in body present themselves to thy, Pres
dent to make known their grievances and s.lg
rest remedy. The finale has been the en-
rendering of bitter feuds in the Republican
anks; a struggle over some few offices, to the
lisgust OF the administration anu the disatlvan.
age OF the party in the State, and their defeat
It some important election. We suggest, as a
Institute for this line of conduct. that each
republican in Virginia go to work, in GOOD
arrest, to excite IL generous and manly EMU
ation in behalf of the party organization-to
how by his conduct that ne entertains con-
lotion in respect to the principles of the party.
nd is willing to make sacrifices for Them
istead of squabbling and contending over the
,dcrai offices, let them direct their efforts TO
le exposure OF the corruptions and misdeeds
their political enemes-arrest the attention
tic people by tlMs means. and get them to
linking. andMnore good will be accompl ished
lat can be effected by al! the offices in the
1T Of the government.
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Congress meets Oh Monday week, Just in
me to send each constituent anice new patent
lice report for christmas present. II