Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1876-05-19

WAS udiHtd1uei, duu Uu0 cFOWu was
soon dispersed all over the buildings
and grounds. viewing with evident
satisfaction the various exhibits. The
President with party adjourned to the
Judges pavilion, in the great hall o.
which reception was held, ending
the formal festivities of the day.
The Grand Centennial Exposition OF
the United States being now thus
opened, your correspondent will here
after be enabled to devote bimself to
describing by degrees the numerous
articles of interest now congregatei,
as if by touch of the magic wand :,
in the City of Brotherly Love-"
For the journal
| Letter from Hr-Nutt-The River aud
Harber ImPrOvement-Ih Neces
siIY for Coz. WaddeII's Re-nOmI-
nation.
WILMlNGToN, n. c., May 9, 1876.
MESsRS. EDITORS As the time is
now near at hand when a selection is
+ to be made by the people of this dis
! trlct of a representative of their iu-
/ terests in the national council, it NAV
! be proper, as the repres4 4ntative of the
| Cha mber Of Commerce in the matter
of the public work, that is now progress
| ing for the improvement Of our harbOr
and river which we expect to result In
large benefit to the material interests
of our city and district as well as to
the State at large, that [ should have
something to say on the subject. In
doing SO [ dlsclaim any Intention OF
taking part in general politics. Ow-
ing to the position [ occupy, [ have
rurposely abstained from active poll
ties for several years past, as ls we'll
known, but in the present condition of
affairs, and in what [ regard the best
interest of the people of the district
for reasons which [ shall preseatly
give, l beg to suggest, respectfully, to
the convent on, the propriety of re-
tanning in that position the present
incumbe
What, may [ ask, is the object and
intention o. sending representative to
Congress? Surely it cannot and ought
not to be for his own ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
as a special favorite, or from any pei.
sonal consideration. He is placed rather
in the position of q servant or agent
to reflect our people and country, our
needs and wants. and TO perform all
such duties as may present themselves
for the best interest of the people. |
TIE question is then to ascertain
whether the present incumbent has |
performed his dnty III these respects, |
or has III any way, or at any time |
neglected, or slighted their interests. |
[ am able to answer that it has been |
my privilege, as it was nv duty, to |
spend several weeks together in Wash
ingtOn at every session of Congress |
since the present incumbent has been
our Representative, and do not hesI-
tate to say from my own knowledge |
and observation that he has been zeal |
Gus, acti le, influential and successful |
in the interests of his constituents. L |
believe he has done all that could be !
done by any one under similar clrcum- |
stances, and even more than ought |
reasonably to have been expected.
1t will be recollected that men, |
Der of Congress must be thoroughly |
educated and trained in the routine of |
Congressional business before he is |
efficient. and the longer he remains |
the more proficient he becomes. 'Tis |
as much a science as any of the arts |
or professions.
We have important public works on |
hand for improving our harbor, which
have been dragging their slow length
along for the past six years at a cost |
of $500, 900. The work thus far has
been very successful, a great deal has
been accomplished and the culminat
ion has been reached for solving the !
problem. The critical moment is upon |
us when all the power and influence !
which can possibly be brought to bear
upon the subject, is absolutely neces- i
sary at Washington to procure the |
amount of money required for COM
pIeting the work. One false step, |
one years suspension of the work |
might endanger the whole scheme !
and dash it beyond our grasp for the i
next quarter of century. The |
best netU man that could be selected |
from the district might prove power
less for good in an emergency and thus |
endanger it. We cannot afford to take |
the risk, the stake is too large and the |
hazaid too great.
Under all the circumstances, L beg |
to submit to the Convention the pro-
priety of considering well these mat
ters before it consents to any change
in our Congressional representation
l have no axe to grind In the matter,
aud no interest whatever greater than
that of other citizens of the district.
The b;ect rises superior to personal
considerations of interest or politics,
and appeals directly to the common
sense and material interest of the dis
trict and State at iarge-not to the in
cumbent.
Respectfully, &c,
TT MUTT