Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-07-03
For the Standard.
North-Carolina and her Federal Patronage.

North.Carolina and her Federal Patronage.
MEssRs EDlrdss: Some important facts may be
collected from the official records Of the Government
pertaining to the disposal nf the vast amount Of pa
4ronage in the gilt Of the Executive and his Cabinet
officers, worthy of the attention of our people
From book compiled by the departments. in 1857,
giving the names and salaries OF the public en-
ployees, and the States to which they charged
] see that North-Carolina has much and just cause
of complaint, for the small share of preferment
awarded to her. 1t is true, that North Carolina
Democrats do not fight for "spoils, but when our
friends rejected their applications for positions
and other States are favored, it is time for peo-
pie to demand the of the distinction broad
ly and palpahy made. Our State has been too fire.
qnenty neglected, because she is modest in her
demands, but now she must insist upon fair and
equitable consideration Of her claims when they
come in contact with those of her sisters Let
justice hold the scales, and we shall be satisfied.
1t is not my purpose to mention the offices within
the limits of the States hich of course the govern
ment ought TO fill with the citizens of such States
This is no Of complaint. Ny object is to look
at the appointments in the different departments
and at the diplomatic and consular lists, and see if
we have been fairly provided for. in such important
and lucrative positions. A candid Inquiry into the
facts from data that cannot be disputed, will show
how far short we have fallen of obtaining our de-
serts.
Under the Administration of Cen. Pierce we had
a cabinet officer, minister resident, two revenue
a
a territorial judgeship besides severa! cerkships in
the departments. Under Mr.. Buchanan's Admins
traton, we have obtained a governor Of New Next
CO, third class consulate, two clerkships. and a
superintendent of brickwork on the Washington
aqueduct, with the tender of the mission to Sardinia.
North Carolina has ten votes in the Electoral COL
lege vet in the distribution of patronage she is be-
hind States Of less political importance. This wrong
should be remedied forthwith. and justice be dis.
pensed to ALL according to their positions in the po-
| lca family of States.
But let US look at the matter more particularly
and state the facts in a direct and positive
manner Look a. the clerkshps in the different de-
parments, charged to North Carolna and see il she
has her quota Of such places This information can
be definitely ascertained by simple statement
derived from an official report on the subject by the
Hon. Robert Smith, of Illinois. The report says,
there thirteen hundred and twenty clerks and
messengers employed in the Executive departments
To distribute these places, Mr.. Smith proposes.
among the States according to their representa- We
| strength, would give North.Carolina FORTY CLERK.
| SHIPS WHEREAS SHE HAS ONLY TWENTY, WITH AN
| AGGREGATE SALARY OF $4,000 Maryland with
| EIGHT ELECTORAL VOTES, has EIGHTY THREE CLERKS,
WITH AN AGGREGATE SALARY OF Sis $780, whereas
| she would be entitled, under the new arrangement
submitted to the House of Representatives by Mr..
Smith. to Thirty CLERKS, at aggregate salary Of
$4259S The District of Columbia, without any
political influence whatever, except in unimportant
municipal elections, has THREE HUNDRED AND ElGHTY.
TWO cLERKsHIPs, with an AMOUNT OF ANNUAL con-
| PEssATIoN REACHING $425 61S. From these figures
derived from official sources, it cannot be denied
that North Carolina has Sufficient causeto complain
4 Of the injustice with which her claims have been
met. M Smiths bill equalizes the system OF cleri
cal appointments by giving each Congt Dis
pointed 1t the option Of Cabinet officers In ny
i judgment this is the only method by which even
4 handed justice can be arded to all
There is s.ia ano,hs To- which invite tht