Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-01-14
Clinging to the Spoils.

Cingtng to the Spoiis.
The last Globe contains a long list Of APP
pointments made by the President, to take
effect after the 4th IF March. This certain
iy is delicate movement on the part of the
Great Defeated. When Mr.. Adams was
President, he made few appointments to ac-
tual vacancies, during rhe last session of his
term, and the Jackson majority in the Senate,
Of which Mr.. Van Buren, was ono, forthwith
laid them upon tho table, to await the Gcces.
sion Of Gen. Jackson. Tho sentiment then
prevailing was, that after Mr.. Adams knew
he was defeated, no ought not for moment
TO have thought of exercising the. appointing
power in single instance. The popular
will had been pronounced agninst him--and
he had 10 rights remaining-it was indecent
and unbecoming in him to supply vacancies
actually existing.
We now have characteristics commentary
upon this doctrine in the present. conduct of
the expiring faction. Van takes it upon HIM
self. in contempt of his own professions, to
fill not only vacancies existing, but all which
will occur on the ;th of March, when his
reign will be over. In this. she, in the esti-
nation of every man of just sentiments and
correct feeling, trenches upon the authority
Of his successor. Gen. Harrison will owe to
self-respect and to the rights and dignity of
his Office, to annul every appointment thus
made, and to evict the incumbents thus un-
courteousy thrust upon him.
'rhe Boston Atlas, in respect TO one Of these
appointments thus speaks :-Iphig.
From the Boston .qtias.
Mr.. Pan Buren, practices in Gis o,On case ohas
ne condemned I'm the case Of gE-. .qdaus.
We learn from Washington that the Presi-
dent has nominated Jonas IL. S.6kv, Esq. for
disappointment as U. S. Marshal for this dis
trict, from and after the 9TH of March next,
when the commission which he now holds
VIII expire. We are somewhat surprised at
this intelligence. This act of Mir. Van Ru-
rem is direct interference with the rights and
powers Of the new President. 1t is, besides,
piece u impudence, for which he deserves
and Tor which he cannot fail 10 receive, Sc
we're anmadyersion. There is, likewise,
such thing as consistency, which honorable
men, and mon OF trae principle, always have
regard to, but for which AIR. Van Buren, and
his party do not appear in the present case, 10
have the slightest. If we remember correct
ty, Mr.. Van Buren, was member Of the SEN
ate during the last two years of the admins
tration OF John Quincy Adams, and one of
the most bitter and uncomprcmisng oppo-
nents of all his measures. With view and
for the purpose of enabling Gen. Jackson to
provide for the numerous Office seekers that
looked to Washington, every important nomi-
nation made by Mr.. Adams the Senate, for
the last two years Of his administration, aoas
laid upon Me table Ly Mr.. Fan Buren, and his
party friends, in order that upon the Access
sion of Gen. Jackson to power, tho places
might all be filled with good jackson and
Van Buren, men, without the disaCreeablc
and painful necessity Of making removals.
There was, we believe, but one nomination
OF any Importance, confirmed by the Senate
during the last session Ct the administration
of MIR. Adams, and that was the nomination
OF Joseph fIopkinson TO be District Judge for
the Eastern District of the Stare of Pennsyi-
Sania. Judge IL. was saved from the gcner-
al wreck by the intcrposition Of Mr.. Louis
s1eflane. OF Delaware, an ardent Fedcrilst,
and as ardent friend of General Jackson and
MIR. Van Buren,, who promised as a compcn-
sauon for that appointment, TO secure to Cen
eIal Jackson the powerful pen of Mr.. Robert
Walsh in the columns of the Philadelphia
National Gazette. All other Nomination.
nominations to ill vacancies which had exist
ed for more than year, and among which
was that Of the highly distinguished Senator
from Kentucky (Mr. Crit,enden) to the bench
OF the u. S. Supreme Court-all these were
laid upon The table, by deliberate and SOL
eInn vote Of Il Van Buren, party, and after
most spirited debate, far Tie sole purpose Of ea-
03Hng President Jackson 10 ;viMdratc hem i'm
naediately upon Ais entrance into office No
sooner had he crossed ti,e threshold Of The
White House than he did as was expected
The nominations sent by Mr.. Adams were all
recalled, and nominations of his own party
friends wero substituted by Gen. Jackson,
which We're confirmed without hesitation.
Such was the doctrine and such was the
practice of Mr.. Van Euren in 1896, when he
came into power. AS he goes out of office,
he decides upon different course of proceed
ing. Having the command of the Senate, he
determines upon filing ny ANTICIPATION, eve
ny Office which becomes vacant when General
Harrison takes the official oath, and he does
this solely to compel Gen. Harrison to take
the responsibility of making removals. We
do not bring forward the case of Mr.. Sbley
from any desire to be instrumental in procu.
mig his eiectment from office, but in order to
show what Mr.. Van Buren, is doing, and what
he will continue to do, to embarrass the new
admins tration.
,"Ihey who SOW the wind, may reap the
whirlwind."