Washington sentinel., 1853-10-19

had fair field and the freesoild emocrats were
not fighting under false colors, their ticket could
not get votes enough TO help the wings through
| with their nominations But We have not got a
fair field. The Washington Union, while profess
ing 10 speak the sentiments OF the administration,
! has thrown its weight on the side of the freesoil
ticket II has undertaken to decide upon the reg
uarity of our conventions, and to sit in judgment
upon questions of mere State policy II takes the
side Of those who have onced proved iathless TO
the party, and put the Union in jeopardy and de-
nounces those who have all along supported the
principles which restored the party to power. II
is now a coaborer with the freesoil prints in this
State some of which it so lately read out Of the
democratic party. Though that print is not in
itself of great Importance, yet when it processes,
without rebuke, TO do these things the organ of
the administration, much mischief may be done.
Il matters little what disclaimers there mny be in
private circles, SO long as there is public declar
alton, that the paper speaks without authority.
However unfortunately the election may term-
nate, the responsibility will rest upon others, and
not upon me.
Let me now notice the time, manner, and motive
OF your letter .' .."" ...... .... +.
As to time: il was after the rupture and nomi-
nation of two tickets at Syracuse, and the two
ratification meetings in this city, after the collec
tor had been denounced by the freesoi leaders and
presses and the President had been called upon
TO remove him; after hungry Office seekers and Bit
ter politicians had visited Washington to misrep-
ors, you well know he never made any reply;
after the Union had taken ground against the
ticket Of the national democrats, and in favor of
the ticket of their opponents; then II was that you
first discovered cause for complaint of any kind
against the collector. You had approved all his
nominations, with a single exception, and in that
case the Office abolished Down TO the re-
ceipt of your letter of the Sd inst. you had never
intimated to the collector, in any form, that you
disproved of his appointments, or OF the manner
in which they had been distributed.
As to the manner: you did not pursue the usual
course, and issue circular laying down uniform
rule for the government of all custom-house officers
having patronage to bestow; but confined your
instructions to the port of New York alone. fthe
doctrine of the letter is sound one il is obviously
proper that it should be applied in other places
well as here; and it should regulate the conduct
Of all classes Of government officers having pa
tronage to bcstow. Marshals, postmasters dis
trct attorneys, and others, should act upon il in
the selection of their deputies, clerks, and other
agents.
will here mention another fact of no little sig
nifcancc. The next day after the letter was writ
ten, il was followed by another, requiring me to
submit for your approval the names OF all clerks
proposed TO be employed in the bonded ware
houses and public stores. In this matter you not
only departed from the practice OF all former Sec
retares of the Treasury-who had left those ap-
pointmens TO the sole discretion of the collector
but so far as have learned, you again departed
collectors at our great ports, singled out the col
lector at New York, and prescribed new rule for
him alone. These facts need no comment-they
speak for themselves.
As 10 the motive Of this movement let others
iukge. .a", =.
This is, believe, the first instance in which n
member Of the cabinet has interfered with the
discretion of collector, marshal, postmaster, or
any other government officer having patronage 10
bestow, and laid down a rule for his government
-, a. ..la nfh damn clay 9TH
agents; and il certainly is the first instance in
which public officer has been instructed TO go
into inquiry about sections, and see that Just
distribution of Offices was made between them.
You have right, by law, to give instructions on
many subjects connec'e ed with the collection OF
the revenue. and such instructions it will be my
duty to follow But when you go beyond that,
and undertake TO direct in matters which the law
has confided to my direction, no such obligation
exists.
has the right Of nomination, and the Secretary the
right of approval or rejection; and, as to other
officers, the power If appointment is vested inthe
collector alone. ] shall not interfere with the ex-
ercise of your powers, and ltrust you will render
the like Justice to me. If you, any other high
officer of the government, desired the appointment
Of particular individual / need not say that it
would give me great pleasure to comply with his
wishes But l respectfully deny that you have
any right to issue instructions for the government
of my conduct in making selections for Office.
So far as relates to the mere dispensation Of pat
ronage, without regard to my responsibility for
the acts Of the persons appointed, would gladly
transfer the trust to another. have taste for
such matters, and my comfort-aspiratons have
none-would be greatly promoted if some one
else would perform the service for me. But the
law and my commission have cast the burden upon
me, and cannot surrender it to another without
dcreliction of duly
As you have given your letter to the press, say
ing "the subject is public one" shall give the
same direction to the answer.
am, very respectfully, your obedient servant.
GREENE c. BRoNsoN.
Hon. James Guthrie, Secretary ofthe Treasury.
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