The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1859-09-14
f" Patronage and Politics."

Under this heading, H. S. CLUBB, ed
itor and publisher of the Clarion, saw
fit, in his issue Of the 18th, for reasons
probably best known 10 himself to make
an attack upon Judge TAYLOR. We
consider such an attack altogether I'M
called for and very unjust, and for the
purpose of allowing our readers TO Judge
for themselves rs to the merits of the
reasons assigned by the Judge for the po-
sition he has assumed, we publish the
accusation and the defence:
"The Grand Rapids papers have boon discus
sing the politics Of their respective advertising
patrons. The Eagle claims that there is more
Republican patronage given to heEnquirer than
Democratic patronage TO the Eagle, but states
that the legal advertising is given according to
the party politics of the officer--to the Eagle if
a Republican to the Enquirer if a Democrat
This is all fair enough. "To the victor belong
the spoils," is an established American doctrine
and we would no more think of asking Demo
cratic Sheriff to give us the advertising of his
sales than We should Of asking Democratic
committee to allow us TO do their printing
But il has become q serious question among Re-
publicans in this county, and of remark through
out the State, why our Judge of Probate, who
was elected on the Republican ticket should
distribute his patronage among the Democratic
journals of this County while the Clarion re-
ceives small share of the Judges patronage
This question has boon so frequently put to us
by earnest Republicans of late and sometimes
by parties TO the advertising who would prefer
their advertisements in n Republican newspaper
that we think il due to the Judge that he be af-
forded an opportunity to explain his position
1t hns been seriously questioned as to which
party our Judge of Probate really belongs. We
certainly had some difficulty in giving a salts
factory answer to these inquiries. The order for
publication is matter entirely in the hands of
the court and it is its privilege to designate the
journal in which notice shall be published
The Judge cannot, in several cases which have
como to our knowledge, make the plea that the
parties expressed preference for Democratic
papers, because parties have informed us that
their preferences were for the Clarion and vet
their Probate notices have been published in
Democratic journal in which they felt no inter
est whatever Nor do VIC think such plea a
good one in cases where il applies. The judge
having sole authority in the matter and
not being under obligation to honor his direc-
tons to the caprice Of others.
draws near, ii is right that the people should be
selecting man for that important Office who
will act consistently. If our present Judge be
n Democrat we have nothing TO say rs TO his
coarse, except that it was not cosistent for him
TO get elected on the Republican ticket. If he
be Republican VIC think we have good reason
to complain Of his course. Wo do so publicly,
before the whole county, and we offer him the
same medium for whatever statements he may
IN orl
discussion. ~
We know the Judge has been reinon strated
with on this subject by Republicans, of their
own accord, without any request from us. Had
these remonstranoes the desired effect, the Judge
would have been spared any public expression
on the subject, but as they were not and the
feeling is becoming stronger among those who
have been Judge Taylor's warmest friends; IL is
clear that public expression is necessary in or
der to set the question at rest before the public
As an important contest is TO take place in
1860 il is certain that party lines must be drawn
so strait even in county and town officers that
there can be no doubtful cases on our tickets
We do not know that Judge Taylor desires the
nomination of the Republican party, but if he
does he certainly is taking course little calcu-
lated TO convince Republicans Of bis fidelity TO
their cause. AfIordng aid and comforts to the
enemy during four years lease of Office is lit
tle calculated to inspire with confidence the Re
publican ranks, and for the standard bearer Of
our county Of SO to be using the powers thon
conferred on him in the support of Democracy,
is certainly little calculated TO secure him that
honorable position in 1850. We make these
statements now in order that the matter may DO
so adjusted as not to cause source of conten-
ton next year, when with a good cause and
consistent leaders we hope as a party to present
solid phalanx such as will insure glorious
victory in our county,