Year: 1866

tO- OSa6i Soos
To the Electors Of the Tceaty-ninth Con-


gresSiOnal District:


During the last few weeks / have
received several letters from persons
residing in different parts of this con-
gressional district, one Of them signed
by quite large number of Republi-
cans-requesting me to become an in
dependent candidate of Congress, and
l am induced to take this method Of
announcing myself as such candidate.
L have been slow to take this step, and
should not do so now were / not sat
isfed that public sentiment in the dis
trict justities if it does not demand it.
That there is such sentiment among
large classes Of the electors of each of
the three counties composing the dis
trict, L am fully persuaded by infor-
nation derived from various sources I;
and L am the more inclined to give a
favorable response to the request, be-
cause it comes from persons belong
ing to both political parties, for in the
present con4tion of tho country l
would not care to receive a mere party
nomination.


i am apprehensive of an approach
ing crisis in the history Of the coun-
try, and in such circumstances would
not like to be held to strict allegiance
to party, but prefer to act independ-
emily, as shall seem best for the inter-
ests of the whole country. 1t cannot
be necessary that 1 should define my
views in respect to the main questions
now before the people, for that l have
already done over my own signature,
in letter which has been published
throughout the district. 1t is proper,
however, that should say, in order to
prevent misunderstanding, that while
| have expressed the opinion that 10y
al Senator'S and Representatives from
the States lately in insurrection should
be admitted to their seats in Congress,
if found duly elected and qualified, /
have never advocated, nor do / now
claim, that any but loyal men should
be admitted. And 1 may add, that
do not object to rigid investigation
upon that subject, if it be fairly con-
Quoted. The preservation Of our glo-
rious Union, and tho harmonious
working of the whole complex system
of government, are the things which
are uppermost in my mind, and for
which intend to labor to the extent
of my abilities and opportunities,
whether in public or private life.


The views / entertain are such as
were dominant in the Union Republi-
can party year ago, and if my stand
ing among Republicans is not as good
as it was then, it is not because /
have abandoned any principles which
then l professed, nor because i have
since adopted any principles which /
did not then believe and openly avow.
L have been requested to express my
opinion as to the proprioty of tho act
OF Congress, passed at the last ses-
sion, by which the salaries of MEM
bers were raised from $4,000 to SIS, 900
a year, and am glad to see so many
indications of growing interest upon
this subject. 1t seems to mo that in
the present condition Of the finances
of the country the government should
be administered upon principles of the
strictest economy consistent with JUS
tice; and / cannot think it was Just to
add so large a sum to the already
heavy burdens upon the people for
the sole benefit Of members Of Con-
gress. i am free to say that l disap-
prove of that part of rho act referred
to which relates to the salaries of
members, and / am qualifodly in ia.
vor of its repeal, and should an op-
portunity be afforded, 1 would cheer
fully aid in effecting such repeal. /
have also been requested to express
my views in relation to the propriety
of imposing a duty upon imported
wool, and l have no objection to do
ing so.


From the fact that / was Wing
from the time Of my majority until
1855, and that since that time l have
been a Republican, it will readily
be supposed that / am predisposed in
favor of protective tariff. 1t should
not be forgotten, however, that the
circumstances of the country have
greatly changed, and that the necessi-
ties of the Government are such that
impost duties sufficient for the pur-
pose of protection to our home indus
try are required; but that some dis
elimination for that purpose is still
proper, cannot doubt. In making
such discrimination / think the inter-
osts of the producers of raw material,
as well as those Of the manufacturer,
should be consulted. And consider
ing the high duties imposed upon
wooden goods, enabling
the manufactures to reap enormous
profits, it seems to me that an increas-
ed duty upon imported wool would be
no more than just. M


This being my view on the subject,
it is proper to state that / signed o
petition, addressed to Congress at the
of the last session, praying
for tho imposition of such duty upon
wool. / have thus briefly
answered oil sho inquiries which have