Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1841-03-29
From the Massachusetts Spy.
MIDN JItD{,ES

One of the most Odious, offensive and unpopu-
lar acts, which marked the retirement of John
Adams from otlice--lhe appointment OF n batch OF
Judges NJ midnight on the night of the 81 of
March has been rc-euactcd by The administration
of Martin Van Buren,, attended, too, 10y crcum.
stances OF peculiar aggmvaiou, and in the case
of one Of them, it is believed, with the grossest
corruption. We aude 10 that Of Philemon Dick
erson, one of the usurping members Of Congress
from New Jersey. Soon after the election in that
State, vacancy occurred on the bench Of the
District Court, and hlahIon DIckcrson, late Secre-
tary OF the Navy, n situation to which he had
proved lIiniS,lf incompetent, was appointed BY
President Van Buren, TO Fl il. 1t was well un-
derstood at the time, and was publicly spoken of
that lie was appointed only for the purpose of hol.
ding the Office an trust for his brother Philemon
when the administration should have used him ms
long as necessary to answer their purposes
Philemon was one of the minority claimants of II
seat IN Congress; and it was necessary to the as
tendency of the administration, that the seats of
the returned members should he vacated and
given to those claimants. The fagrau, outrage
on the sovereign rights of the people of New-Jer-
sey by which the object effected, is still fresh
in the minds Ofall our readers.
| Placed thus by executive influence, in the seat
which rlghlfiIly belonged TO another the complete
subservency Of Philemon Dickerson TO the will
OF the Executive, was more certainly assured by
the prize which was held up before him. If he
performed all that was required of him in that
situation, he would be appointed Judge, and, if lie
did not, he would lose the appointment. He was
faithful to the very close of the session, and them
n, the last moment, received his REGARD. gross
er case of corruption does not stain anna. 1t
was fiji and proper conclusion Of such an al min.
isration MS that of Martin Van Buren,.
The appointment of Judge Daniel, as associate
Judge of the Supreme Court, tho not marked
with the same gross and offensive features, was
still highly objectionable. The Southern and
Western Circuits needed a revision, on account
! Of the great inequality in their business. The
death Of Judge Barbour afforded an opportunity
for this revision, and the Senate Immediately pas.
sed bill abolshing Judge Barbour's circuit, and
attaching the different portions Of to the Join
ing circuits, and establishing new circuit in the
West BY This arrangement, the Judge to ill the
vacancy must be taken from the new circuit. -
Notwithstanding this, their own decision, that il
was nexpedient to fill the vacancy from the ex.
isling circuit and Notwithstanding The remonstrnn-
ces of the Wing Senutors, who asked for delay
only ill it should be Gscertained whether the bill
would pass the House also, the nomination was
taken up and forced through by the power oil
party discipline John Y Mason, another of Van
Buren's leaders in The House of Rep csentaves
was Immediately rewarded by heing appointed
f District Judge, to fill The vacancy created 10y the
promotion Ct Judge Daniel. This was the las
f struggle of expiring Loco Focosni in the Senate
The deed was consummated but the next day saw
the Senate reorgaHized, and the power departed
from the hands of those who had so much abused
it. That it will he use; by those into whose hand.
it has no fallen, with greater regard to the pub
lie good, we hope and believe.