The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-08-23
Wouldn't Accept Under the Terms.

Wouldn't Accept Under the Terms.
On Saturday evening last Collector w. f.
Craig, OF Staunton, telegraphed to Captain Foun-
tain Beattie, late Deputy Collector of Internal
Revenue for this city, to report at Stanton at
taking the evening train for that place. Upon
arrivingat Staunton. he was rendered his old
position. which was made vacant by the re-
nova! OF Collector Bolts (the terms fall Bot
deputies In office expiring with the latters re-
movaI The necessary papers were arranged,
that he might enter upon the discharge of the
duties OF the office at once, but before his de-
parture from staunton Capt; B. inquired wheth,,
him was for political purposes, or In other
words, would he be expected to engage in poll
tics, and whether he would be retained perma-
nently in the position. Colonel Craig replied
that he would be expected to support the read
ulster coalition party In every way; whereupon,
o friend OF Captain Beattie says, he replied: 81
am republican, and am not for sale, and cam
not consent to accept q position whereby my
has te pe to hs e
cltned by Mr.. Beattie, and will enter at once
upon the discharge of his duties
The above is taken from the Alexandria
Gazette of the Goth inst. AS the state
ments are incorrect, we presume our con-
temporary would like to have the facts, in
order to give his readers the truth. With
this in view, we have this to say:
Mr.. Beattie was recommended for the
position of Deputy Collector of Internal
Revenue at Alexandria, by the Coalition
Committee of that place, of which Mr.. d.
A. Winsor is chairman by the Revenue
Agent who made the transfer OF the Col
lector's office, and by other officers of the
Department who had knowledge of Mr..
BIS excellent record and standing in
the service. He came on here by invita-
tion from the Collector. eAfter the bust
ness part of the mission had been COM
pleted, politics were introduced, and Mr..
Beattie said he was in hearty sympathy
with the administration and the Coalition
movement, and the fact of his recon-
mendation by the Committee of that party
.ff0(# Alexandria county is confrmatOry
testimony. This far there was no dis
agreement. Afterwards, Mr.. Beattie asked
whether it was to be considered perma-
nent appointment. The Collector re-
sponded that his selection was like that of
all his other Deputies conditioned upon
his suiting him, after a fair trial. The
Collector stated that it was new bust
ness to him-that he had not become
familiar with the workings of his affairs
and would not promise permanency to any
one else until the matter had been tested
to his 1.-THE Collector's) satisfaction-that
he would bind himself to no one, until he
knew what he was doing. Mr.. Beattie
ofa cd hot ha hod n foxrn cffar inc
other line of business, and unless he could
be assured that his appointment was to be
considered permanent, it would be better
for him to accept the other. The Col
lector advised him then not to accept the
Deputyship under the circumstances, and
there the matter ended. There were no
political differences to be reconciled, so far
as the Collector knew, and no cause grow
ing out of politics why Mr.. Beattie was
not appointed. Mr.. Kenyon, who with a
Mr.. Ayers had also been recommended,
was appointed. Mr.. Ayers held better
position in the Custom House, at Alex
andria, and was not an applicant.
The Collector is a thorough business
man, who will emphatically be the ''boss"
of his own office. No one will accept SER
vices under him from misrepresentation,
if he really seeks information. There will
be no deception or double-dealing, no
doubtful impressions created, so far as the
Collector is concerned, but a straight
forward, distinct, manly understanding all
around.
The more reputable and intelligent ele-
ment of the Mississippi Republicans is
fusing in certain counties with the indie
pendent Democratic organization on coun-
| ty offices. Mr.. Lynch, the colored men,
Der of Congress from that State, and chair
man of the Republican State Committee,
is at the head of that wing Of the party
that is making fair terms with the similar
element of the Democratic party. They
are opposed by the worst elements of both
parties. The result will be fair elections
and largely increased representation in
the Legislature, and the prospect of a gain
of two or three Republican congressman,
at the next election. In conversation with
an intelligent democrat from Mississippi
and member of the Legislature, several
weeks ago, he informed us the facts, as
stated above, were bringing about a good
feeling in the State, and having a happy
influence on election methods. He said
that the business men of the State were
willing to make any coalition that would
insure quiet and good government, and to
that end very frequently reputable colored
men were supported by Democrats for i'm
portant county offices. 1t will be happy
contamination if the methods of parties
in that State shall be SO modified as to
assure impartial elections and remove all
reasonable cause for suspicion that the
laws are not observed. The whole State
would be the gamer, however m UGH few
noisy and INSCRIPTIONS politicians might
be disappointed.
An Augusta Read juster," in the last