Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-07-27

and in this inspect of the reality, we behold the
working Of PATRONAGE, and discover the reason
why 30 many stand ready in any country, and in
all ages, TO flock to the standard of POWER where.
soever, and by whomsoever, it may be raised.
| The patronage Of the Federal Government at
the beginning, was founded upon revenue Of
two millions of dollars 1t is now operating up
on twenty two millions and, within the life time
OF many now living, must operate upon fifty. The
whole revenue must, in q few years, be wholly
applicable to subjects of patronage. At present.
about one half say ten millions Of it, are appro-
priated to the principal and interest Of the public
debt, which, from the nature OF the object involves
but little patronage. In the course oil few years,
this debt, without great acknowledgement, must be
paid off. short period of peace, and a faithful
application Of The sinking fund, must speedily ac-
complish that most desirable object. Unless The
revenue he then reduced, a work as difficult in
republics ms in monarches, the patronage Of the
Federal Government, great us it already is, must,
IN the lapse of few years, receive vast acces-
sion of strength. The revenue itself will be
doubled, aud instead OF one half being applicable
to Objects of patronage, the whole will take that
direction. Thus, the reduction Of the public
debt, and the increase OF revenue, will multiply
in four fold degree the number OF persons in the
service of the Federal Government, the quantity
of public money in their hands, aud tho number
OF objects To which it is applicable; but rs each
person employed will have circle Of grenter or
less diamter, of which he is the centre ard The
soul-a circle composed of friends and relations,
and of individuals employed by HIMSELF on public
or private nccount-the actual increase of federal
pow err and patronage by the duplication of the
revenue, will be, not in the nrllhmetlcal RATIO hut
in geometriea progression, an increase almost be-
You'd the power of the mind to calculate TO
comprehend
The committee think it right to attempt to give
an i,lea of the greatness Of this power of patron
m ly nf,,rrn IN m ayap,,1p N o. snup -
They will take the city Of New York, and sim
gle branch of the federal patronage III that city !;
and to avoid mistake or error, will limit their re-
ference to a work Of unquestionnble authority up
on this sub ect--tlie Blue Book" Ofthe Republic,
which corresponds with the Red Book" of mon.
arches, and will read from pages Al az, AZ, "a,
45, 46, of that growing little volume.
Here were given the names of officers of the
customs in N. Y. city, numbering ia, compeI-
salon $l79,267 30. The plumber in 1888 was
436, compensation S4l7,034 26
A formidable list indeed formidable in num-
bers, aud still more so from the vast amount of
money in their hands. The action of such body
OF men, surprising them to be animated by one
spirit, must be tremendous in an election and
that they will be animated, is proposition too
plain to need demonstrations Potcer over man 5
support. has always been held and admitted to be
poWer over his toMt Tho President has power"
over the support" of all these officers; and they
again have "power" over The "support" of debt
or merchants to the amount often millions ofdol-
lars per annunl, and the daily support of an
immense number of individuals, professional me-
chanical and day-aborng, to whom they can and
,oM extend, or deny, n valuable private well rs
public patronage, according TO the part which they
shall in State, as well as in Federal. elections
Still this is only branch, mere prong, of Fed
eral patronage, in the city of New York. The
of
the United States Bank welding capital of ma.
ny millions large military, naval, and post Of
nee establishment; judiciary, with its appropri-
nte officers presses, which print the laws and
public advertisements; aud long list of conirac-
tors and jobbers.
But il may be said that this is an extreme case |;
that New York is the first city in the Union, and
Federal patronage necessarily the greatest there.
Granted. Then go 10 the other extreme; take a
borough town OF comparatively small population,
and an insignificant amount of revenue collect:
take Norfolk, with her white population Of five
thousand souls, and her melt revenue of sixty four
thousand seven hundred aud twelve dollars and
twenty seven cents, aud see the power of patron
age there.
Here were given the names of officers of
customs, &c. in Norfolk, Virginia, numbering al,
Including 8 appraisers, whose aggregate pay was
but $50 year, compensation Sl5,84l SO. The
number in 1888 was 49, (not including apprais-
ers,) compensation $20,352 90.
Forty one officers supported and employed 10y
a single branch of Federal patronage in Norfolk
10 collet an annual decreasing revenue of S64,-
7l2 "a single branch for this borough, also,
has Der navy yard, and military establishment
her judiciary, post office, presses and the unknown
and unknowable list of jobbers aud con,racl ors
and The still more inscruable list of expeclants,
who waiting for " dead men Shoes" and vii
ling, IN The mean while, 10 do any Thing that The
living men wish. The influence of such Il body
OF men, animated by one spirit in All election
must be still more efficient in borough town OF
five thousand souls than the influence Of far
greuter number of Federal officers aud retainers
in the far greater population of New York. Aud
so throughout the Union. Every where, TO The
extreme frontier of the remoiest State Terriio-
ry, Federal patronage will be found, in degree and
force, proportionate TO the population of the place.
and forever augnentiig with the increasing pow
er Of the Government. Dnnuon Of patronage
is not thought OF the state of the Custom House
in Norfolk, is already pregnant proofof this. The
power of patronage, unless checked by the vigor-
Gus interposon of Congress- must go on inGreas-
ing until Federal influence, in many parts Of this
Confederation, will predominant in elections, rs
completely as British influence predominates in
the elections OF Scotland and Ireland, in roteu
borough towns, and in the great naval stations OF
Portsmouth and Plymouth. In no part of the
practical operation of the Federal Government,
has the predictions of lis ablest advocates been
more completely ialsfied, than in this subject of
patronage. The numbers As and DC of the Fed
erulst, were devoted TO All inquiry into the com
paratye means of influence possessed by the Fed
eral and the State Governments; and the superb
orty. at every point of the inquiry, was assigned
to the latter. IL will be useful 10 read a few pms
sages from these numbers. Compared with the
acluul state OF things, they will exhibit the differ
ence which few short years have developed, be-
tween the theoretical and the practical Govern
ment OF this Union, and the thinking mind will he
carried forward, by natural npusioD, TO con
template the further differences which few years
more must uncover.
THE PASSAGES.
"Ihe powers delegated by the proposed con
Il IL.