The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-01-24

calm and mature consideration, TO approve
the position / have taken, and that your
and all fair-minded men will
concur with you In that approval.
Very respectfully,
JonS f. Massey.
TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE READJUSTER
CAUCUS.
COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA,
OFFICE AUDITOR OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS,
RICHMOND, January IL, 1882. )
Hon. II. c. Wood, Chairman Of TIE Re-
ddjuSter Caucus:
Dear Sir,-I have just learned that the
caucus over which you have the honor TO
preside has resolved to nominate no man
for election to the office OF Auditor OF
Public Accounts who will not give Il writ
ten pledge to submit to the "rules OF the
caucus" Until now | had understood
those "rules" TO be:
1st. That none but Readjusters were to
be appointed by me ~ clerks.
ID That in selecting my clerks | should
select them from different portions OF the
State, so far az | could consistently with
the interest OF the State; and
Sd. That they were TO be charged 10 the
districts from which they
had been taken.
so understanding, | had written to a
member OF your body expressing my will
ingncss TO these arrangements.
now learn that the "rule" adopted by
the caucus not only assigns the respective
cerkships OF my Office to particular con-
qrCSSiOndl districts, but takes their ap-
- L.. MI
the hands Of the representatives OF the re-
spectiye districts from which the respective
clerks are to be chosen.
| cannot believe the members Of the eau
Gus have duly considered this "rule" in
all its bearings. During my term OF SER
years-mOrc than five millions OF
dollars have passed through this office.
This money has TO be received and paid in
to the treasury by my clerks. All accounts
against the Commonwealth have TO be cX-
amincd and certified hy them before sign
warrants for their payment. am reSpon-
siblc for their actions. Ny reputation Is
largely in their hands, as well rs that and
my sureties are pecuniarily responsible for
their official actions. Yet it is proposed
that while atone am responsible for these
agents OF mine, others who are in nowiSe
responsible for what they do are TO appoint
them.
| need not inform BOu how 81 have dis
charged the duties OF Auditor of Public Ac-
counts for the last two years. Upon that
point am willing for the testimony OF all
parties and all men Of all parties to be
taken, and to accept the verdict OF the
whole PEOPLE OF the Commonwealth. |
hope it will not be deemed immodeSt.ii |
say our newly-elected Governor but echoed
thealmost universal sentiment when he said
in his acceptance OF the nomination which
ne had received, "If Alr. Massey had been
twenty-five per cent. worse Auditor than
he is, he would now be making this adj
dress instead Of myself"
Again. need not tell yOU or those whom
YOU represent anything about my past Ii
bors and services in behalf OF the measures
we have advocated and the party 10 which
we belong. These are known to all. This
much will venture TO say for myself: II
any have made greater sacrifices or rem
dcred greater services in their behalf, none
have ever been more willing TO Weld all
personal considerations to prevent diScord
and division in our ranks or TO promote the
public interest than | have. II, now, the
- rule of the caucus" involved only
q question OF personal preference or alh-
mtion should acQuieSce in it, demands
but il is much more than this. II is sub
yersivc OF the universally accepted rule
that man should only be responsible for
the action OF his agents so far rs those
agents are subject to his authority. IL not
only makes me responsible for other mems
appointecS. but places the most important
interests OF the Commonwealth in the hands
of men appointed by those who have no
responsibility for their official conduct.
Believing 4 majority Of the best people
OF Virginia. OF all parties, desire and eX-
pcct me TO continue in my present office. |
am a candidate for reelection: but, ii re-
elected, | must have the appointment Of my
assistants i'm Office. | will checrfully re-
ceive and consider any recommendations
that may be made. and, so far aS ] can con-
sistently with my responsibility and the
public interests, distribute my appoint
mentS among the different portions of the
State. More than this cannot De reasonably
required.
Allow me 10 say. in conclusion. | enjoy
the proud satisfaction OF believing that
have the confidence ard respect OF my
felI0w-citizens generally. This prize far
above the honOrs or emOluments Of office,
and | can never consent TO be placed in
position in which | may lose that conf
dence and respect through the action OF
agents appointed for me by others.
Most respectfully submitted through you
TO the caucus. JOHN l.. MASSEY.
TO THE CHAIRMAN OF THE READJUSTER CAu-
CTS.
COMMONWEALTH or VIRGINIA.
OFFICE AUDITOR PUBLIC Accounts,
RICHMOND, January IL, lSS2.
Hon. II. {. Wood, Chairman Of he Redd-
juSter Caucus:
Dear Sir.-I wish 90 again speak 20 the
caucus through you. have
heard il intimated that some members OF
the caucus believe that do not wish 10 be-
reelected to the Office OF Auditor Of Public
Accounts. | assure you that j. not the
case. Ido irish 10 be reelected. ] wish il
for many reasons, which | hope are not
selfish. These, however, need
not state. This much | will say
upon that point wish II because
| do not wish to receive 80 W-
Kind CIT from those with whom and
for lrhom | have labored 50 long and 50
as my defeat would be, at the
very moment OF the success OF our cause.
But the controlling reason why wish To
be reelected is that the people Of Virginia
have so clearly indicated their belief that ]
can serve them better in the Auditors
Office than anywhere else, and have so
clearly indicated their wish for my contin-
uance i'm it, wish 10 repay this confidence
and to prove myself worthy Of it by faith
fully guarding and protecting their IN
terest.
Why, then, YOU may ask, do decline to
nlcd.,e mvsnf 10 submit 10 ..Tule of the