Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-10-11
County Appointments.


County Appointments.
On the day Of election some of The Wings OF
Montpelier felt the necessity Of REFORM in
certain class of County officers, and promised 10
haze II, too at least so far as one town is concern.
ed. Thereupon prominent coalitonist, in the
expectation that truck and decker would carry
every thing high und dry, even though Monrpe.
er did elect Wing representative, was frank
enough to say that tie REFORM in question
would be prevented by THE LONG TEAM in the
Legislature. This little incident shows what
was IN the heart of certain OF the coalition lead
ers, to wits general sweep OF all the offices
into truck and dicker hands. The cat was re.
vealed and we are free to say, that in this quar-
ter the question has been raised among the
Wings whether it is either wise or just to cx-
tend the courtesy 10 the coationlsts which has
heretofore been extended to the minority in the
Sute-to wit, thelappoinlments for the counties
in which they have majority of the Senators
and Representatives. The same inquiry has
been raised else where, as tue following articles
will show:
CT The following remarks, copied from the
Bennington Banner, are worthy of consideration
and we commend them to the attention OF our
readers with the single remark, that in each and
every state where Democracy" bears sway, 1t
appropriates to itself every Office, from the high
est downwards to the lowest
BroHleboro' Eagle
What are to be the fruits of our victory, is the
question now agitated among the politicians Of
The State. That Are to have u whg EXecu-
tive, is out OF the sphere of argument; shall our
minor iuncionarcs be of the same party, we now
inquire. For some years, even while decided
wing majorues have prevailed in the Leglsla-
ture, their power has been thrown away, by III.
viding the county strength among our opponents
-auxilurating ,hcif strength and diminishing
our own. We have long looked upon this course
as doubtful policy. In national matters it was
never adoLtcd; the character OF the entire quota
OF officers has ever been the same, where up
polntnents have been male, without regard tn
particular political complexion of individual
states. And il would certainly appear that n
similar rule Of action should govern cur State
administrations. Out OF Vermont this is gener
ally the case, and why should we remain still
granting fLvors aud bending submissvely to LU-
cofocolsm? The late campaign counscs US to
guard more closely than ever against the mercc.
nary attempts Of our enemies. We have learn,
ed 10 Lope Tor nothing III their magnapimily, nor
place any weight upon their regard for princl-
pie; we can expect nothing but war and opposI-
lion Of the basesi kind, such as deserves
wedding and ever walchful resistance. Our
frecmen knew this III tme to act upon It's injunc-
lions, and they, having granted everything, cy-
pect, upon the mutual ground of reciprocity,
much in return Shall we tender them loco'oco-
ism ? or shall we encourage them in TIN If holy
zeal. and convince them they are no longer s,rlv
ing Tor the elevation of men Of that party. They
have labured assiduously for the lurlhcrance OF
Wing prncl pies no less so Ia the counties
where we have majority, than where we are IN
a minority, and why have they not equal claims
upon the consideration OF wing Legislature?
Let our brethren OF the press take this matter in
10 consideration, and by calling out an express
ION of public sentiment, have tins matter righted.
We have presented The subjec for the consid-
GRAFTON of Wings. They have the power-they
are, in fact, responsible for all the appointments,
whether they make them directly, or, in accord
ancc with the common custom, ratliy the nom
inations of the county conventions as matter of
course. And more-the courtesy, (unhcard of
else where,) Of allowing the minority to select
the officers of their counties, has been outrage
ously abused Look at the annual trades of the
Locofoco newspapers about stale expenses and
state patronage. Have they ever remarked the
fact that full modlcum of expenditure has
sprung up under Locofoco county clerks and
/ States Attorneys? Have they ever given credit
, to the wings for NOT taking the patronage
which was in their power? We believe not in
solitary instance; we believe that the wings
5 have been charged with every dollar of expendi-
ture, and abused for the little patronage which
they have been content to retain. See files of
the Vermont Patriot, if you would refresh YOUR
n memory on this point; and then think what Won
would have done in the matter.
Now shall the Wings cease to be generous
when their opponents have SO evidently ceased
n to be just? Shall the old rule of county an
) pointments be altered? 1t is an old rule and
once II was right. 1t was right when the simple
4 purpose was TO ascertain, not who was Wing or
I,ocofoco, but who was the BEST MAN for Of
g flee. 1t was reasonable TO say, that the mem.
bers of each county could best know, and there
fore best judge, of the qualifications of candl-
/ dates in the county. But is it not tue that the
spirit and purpose of the rule has been long lost
o The form only remaining? Is it not paIpabe,
that since the birth of the locofoco doctrine that
"to the vicors belong the spoils," these appoint.
!, Inents have become almost entirely political
and mus That the rule has practically become
i simply guarantee Of the Offices TO the party
}, controlling the county? This is the fact; and
:, the real question is whether we shul continue
that guarantee whether The Wings shall say to
r. their opponents; bargain away the Offices as
you please-buy up the venal- enlist against us