The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-04-16
The Virginia Offices

The unfriendly criticism from Demo-
cratic papers and correspondents on the
conference of Democratic members of
Congress, in relation to the Virginia Off
ces, to be disposed of by the Administra-
ton, has called ont the following state
ment from the members. 1t is evident
from it that the gentlemen named keenly
feel the position in which they are placed,
and are not easy In the work which ear
nest constituents have imposed upon
them:
AS some misappreliension seems to ex-
ist in regard to the object of the meeting
of the Democratic members OF Congress
from Virginia recently held in Washing
Eton the undersigned deem it proper to
Submit the following brief statement:
In view of the anticipated removals of
incumbents OF Federal offices in Virginia
and the proper disposition of the ntmer-
GUS applications OF our own party to fill
the positions referred to, for which recon-
mendatiOnS were sought at our hands, a
conference Of the delegation was called in
order that some united action, il practi-
| cable, might be taken on the subject, so
far as the interests OF the public service,
in our Judgment, were involved .,..;i
In addition to the appointments above
referred to the interposition OF the dele
CATION was solicited in regard to recon-
| mendatlons of applicants for certain posi-
lions in the Second and Fourth districts,
now represented in Congress by Republi-
| cans. 1t was considered best to avoid, if
| possible, any antagonism between individ-
ual members of the delegation in rec
concentrations for appointments to Office
exclusively within the State, and to ascer-
tain, by an interchange of sentiment and
views among the respective members, if
any common line of policy could be adopt
| ed. The signatures and influence of
members of the delegation have been
sought in behalf of a great body, if not
all, of the applications for appointments
referred to, and the Democratic members
of Congress were called upon to decide
whether or not it was in the interest of
the public and the party to act separately
| or together in the premises.
The members. in whatever they have
done or may do, have not assumed and do
not assume any right to infringe upon OF
usurp the power to appoint, which be-
longs to the executive department of the
| Government. They claim only the right
| to recommend applicants for appointment
to offices, which attaches to every citizen
| in the State, neither more on less. The
exercise OF this power of recommendation
under the circumstances which surround
them is unavoidable, however otherwise
itmight be desired. &C.. but we wish it to
be distinctly understood that in whatever
action has been or may he taken on the
subject on our part, it is not proposed or
intended to exclude the right of any appli-
can't or his friends from presenting his
papers and claims to the proper depart
ment OF the Government for appointment
to office.
1t may be proper to add that in the
| course which has been pursued the dele
CATION have acted upon their own respon-
sibility and without conference or CONSUL
tation with the executive department of
the Government. Efaft+EN
lSignedl ]. r. TUCKER. chairman,
I THOMAS CRoXToN,
GEORGE d. WISE,
GEORGE G. CABELL,
JOHN W. DANIEL,
G. T. O'FERRALL,
JOHN S. HARBOUR.
9. f. TRIGG. fsg,gff,t,