Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-12-07
Marshal Of western virginia.

Potomac, the Washington correspondent of the
Baltimore Patriot, gives the following account Of
the removal Of Mr. Amber from the post of Mar
shall for W.stern Virginia, and the appointment
of his successor by the President:
Another fact. which bears hard against the Pres
ident, as Chief Magistrate of high integrity and
unsulied honor is whispered about here in Dem
ocratc circles, which has been left for Wing
writer to tell to the public. in order that if it be
not true, the friends of the President may be au-
thorized 10 put an extingnisher upon it. 1t is due
to the President that he should know what some
of his protested Democratic friends are breathing
in whispers against him, instead of telling him
frankly what is charged, and thus giving him an
opportunity 10 explain. | will therefore do him
the justice to let him know publicly of one of the
grave charges whispered against his fair fame.
Just before Mr.. President Fillmore went out
of office, he appointed John Amber. Esq, Mar
shal of Western Virginia. Mr.. Amber was a
States Rights politician, high toned, honorable
gentleman, and faithful public officer. Further,
he was the son-in-law of Senator Mason. This
latter fact, probably, had some weight with MIR.
Fillmore in selecting MIR. Amber for the Mar
shalship, for he was an amiable and kind hearted
President, who loved TO conciate distinguished
and influential Democrats much so, that just
before he left the Presidential Chair he appoint
ed, at the solicitation of Franklin Pierce, Mr..
Broadhead, violent and bitter Democrat, Second
Comptroller of the Treasury. After The lnstalla-
ton OF President Pierce in the Executive Chair,
an effort was made in Virginia to get Mr. Amber
removed from office, in order that regular Pierce
Democrat might be appointed in his place. Strong
papers calling for Mr.. Amber's removal were got
ten up and laid before the President But for
some time action was delayed. 1t would not quite
do, it was thought to dismiss a capable and up
r ght Marshal from office who had Senator Mason
for his father-in-law! And yet it would not do
to displease the host of Democrats who had petit
toned for his removal by retaining him? What
was to be done? It is reported that this was
done! That the President having learned that
MIR. Amber had arrived in this city, sent for him
that at the interview, he told Mr.. Amber that to
retain him in the office of Marshal, under the APP
pointment of Mr.. Fillmore, would be to place his
tather-in-law. Senator Mason, in an embarrassing
That those who were clamoring for
the removal of Mr.. Amber would charge his re-
tention in office to Senator Mason, which he, the
President, did not desire that he wished to take
The responsibility in the matter upon his own
and that this could be done, and that
he could make the act of appointment his own, by
Mr.. Amber rendering to him his resignation Of
the appointment conferred upon him by President
Fillmore, and then receiving back from him new
appointment to the same office; that this would
relieve Senator Mason and place the responsibility
where it properly belonged.
To this Mr.. Marshal Amber is said to have
promptly and cheerfully assented, by at once wr-
ting and rendering the resignation of his Office
The next day, to his profound establishment, he
saw the announcement of the appointment of his
successor to the Marshalship which, the day be-
fore, he had been cutely induced to resign!
Is this SO, or is it not 1t comes in no ques-
tonable shape, and yet it is too bad to be believed
of President Pierce. leave it for the Union, or
the Sentinel, or the Evening Star, to explain.
The above story seems improbable, but until it
is contradcted by some one authorized TO do SO,
we must presume that there is some foundation
for it. If it were entirely untrue we have no
doubt that Mr.. AMBLER himself would publish a
denial.