New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-12-12
FROM ALBANY.
THE GOVERNORS APPOINTMENTS.
GORE spondence Of The ". 7. Tribune

| Correspondence Of The N. 7. Tribune.
ALBANY, Dec. 10, 1856.
II ia mistaken notion that the personal comfort
Of prominent politicians is promoted by success.
To all such victory is a harbinger Of innumersbc
petty annoy ances. And they are the most annoy
ing to those who are the most DESTROYS of main:
timing the integrity of the successful party. Those
who are the most boisterous for place are not al
ways the most deserving. But for every place
there are usually many who baye equally earned, by
elldirected lsbors, the positions which they cOve
The Chief perpexity Of those who desire, by Ju-
dciOus selections, TO strengthen the party, arises
from the difficulty of choosing between those thus
equally deserving. Fortunately is often more sue
cessfu thsn merit; and hence 1t Is that success "a
frequently follows the applications of the unworthy
az of the deserving. This Is equally true OF al
parties; and it is true not because there are not
influential men in all parties who seek 20 avert such
disasters, but because the dispensing power is not
always as discriminating as those not entrusted
with such power
Nv experience has convinced me that the dis
pensation of patronage seldom if ever strength
ems its dispensers. The many disappointed have
far more influence than the few eratlied; and,
in nine cases out Of ten, this influence Is
either neutralized or actively eIerted against
the party in power. This was almost uniformly
true of the old Wing party. 1t was this fact
which more than any real differences of opinion or
principle, ruptured the Democratic party; and the
same thing will be found operatye-perhaps not to
the same extent-in the Republican ranks.
The chef bones of contention, during the ensuing
Winter, will be the Assembly Speaker and Clerk
ship, the Office of Adjutant General Superintendent
Of Public Instruction, and the HarbOr-Masters OF
New.YOrk. There is no unworthy candidate for
Clerk, but there are candidates whose success will
not only eDgender aninosites, but result in no real
good to themselves. The influence Of very few
men is ever augmented by office seeking or Office
holding. 1t destroys their moral power, and casts
a suspicion for ever upon their counsels. Inc
man possessing the greatest political Ifuence In
this State is man who would never allow bis name
to be connected with Office.
The people of Buffalo will work hard against ex-
Speaker Littlejohn They cannot brook the idea
that Oswego should so often enjoy the influence
which that Office conters. But the objection TO
him which they urge ia only plausible. While he
held the place two years ago, he did nothing which
could be tortured into unfalrness toward Buffalo.
Nor would he now. The objection, however, will
be pressed-less with view 10 his ultimate defeat,
than, in the event of his success, 10 furnish
pretty copent reason for the selection of the Clerk
from Buffalo. No puzzle has more curious intri-
caces than the puzzle OF polltcs.
There is but comparatively little strife as yet
for the post of Adjutsnt-General. There has been
desire IN many quarters 10 CONFER inc pace uPoh
II. H. Van Dyke. But, with modesty character
stic of him, he protests against 1t. There Is
no more patriotic and unselfsh man in the kepubll-
can party nor one in whom are combined more OF
the highest qualities of intelligent manhood. lie
would adorn any position. Frederick Townsend,
esq., of this city, is urged for the place because OF
his eminent fitness and high personal worth. L am
not advised that Cen Pruyn desires TO continue in
the ,ffce. Mr.. Townsend will be appointed.
Mr. Rice, the present popular Superintendent OF
Public instruction, desires a reelection. lie has
done much TO render this department efficient. +.
Peshne Smith, esq, is his Deputy, and he is gen
teman Of the very highest order of talent. Some
Of his Western friends, without his consent, are
urging him as Principal. No man III the Staten
better qualified. But be is one OF the very few
who shrinks instiDctiyely, from competition WIN
friend He will not, with his own consent, be
candidate. But H. ii. Van Dyke will De.
Knowing Mr.. Van Dyke, as do cannot but say
that he deserves this or any other place. Although
I should regret 10 see Mr. Rice superseded, II he
BE- is to be- no one would be more acceptable than
Nj. Van Dyke.
There Will, / think, be sweep among your
Harbor. Masters, for several reasons: l. Some have
had too protIacted monopoly of the Office to be
longer continued. 2. Others are OF no use pOllIl-
caly: and. 3. others still are believed 10 be un-
fitted for the duties of the place. The apple ants
ere already numerous. They will swell with the
approach of the time of appointment.
Mr. Weed has gone 70 Washington. bis mt
mate personal relations with Gov. Marcy make his
occasional sojourn there pleasant, If not useful