Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1860-03-16
PUBLIC PATRONAGE.


The greatest evil connected with the opcr-
alton of our National Government, is the
amount Of public patronage. The worst prin-
ciple upon which that could be bestowed is
the celebrated one of "'ro the victors belong
the spois.' Public patronage is the spols
of victorious party, and ve vidis, woe to
the conquered Neither public interests, pub
lie morality. merit, mercy honor, or justice,
have anything to do with the distribution Of
fifty millions annually Of public funds. 1t is
an immense fountain Of corruption, and is in
fact the Yoi|s and the spoiler Of parties. Hence
men seek office, and office does not seek them.
Vanity, ambition and impudenco ill the POI
sitions of public trust, and the elbowing,
pushing demagogucs who are for the most
part intellectually and morally the "tail of the
nation have the seats of profit and honor
II cancer is eating out the beauty, the
str h and the vitality of our republican in
stitu.ons.
What shall be done; For the present, at
least, this is practically greater question
than slavery, or the next President, or the re-
vision of the tariff. And the party that can
solve it, will be the true, practical union par
ty. The party that can make a life tenure of
threc-tourths of our public Offices that can
make all subordinate positions in the Depart
ments including clorkships, custom offices,
post offices, agencies, and all diplomatic
secretaryships permanent, 10 be held by the
incumbents during life or good behavior, will
have done more to save the union and digni-
fly republican institutions than can be possibly
done in any other way. In process of time
all parties would be represented in Office
The system of extorting large sums from Off
GERS for electioneering purposes would be
abrogated. and the purity of elections secur-
ed. Qualification would be the first rcquis-
lite for Office, and the country and the pillars
of the Union would not be shaken so terrif-
cally at every presidential year. The coun-
try would have rest from its politicians and
from its base breed of perennial agitators-
There would be more real freedom. Deliver
ed from the surveillance of politicians whose
nerves run through their pockets, men could
express their opinions on the questions of civ
ilization and social life, without prescription.
Our public officers would not be afraid to call
their souls their own, or to state their views
on moral and political subjects. The citizens
would not be in danger of their heads if they
should happen to think as Tom, Dick and
Harry didn't think, and officials would have
the blood bought right Of making a mistake,
or blunder even, like common mortals, and
yet be in no danger of their bread and but
ter. They would work with more freedom
and effectiveness when not surrounded by a
pack Of hungry wolves, each barking for the
same loaf. We really think this public pat
ronage, the distribution of its emolumcnts.
practically lies at the foundation of all politi-
cal strife and agitation, and of the miserable
inefficency of oui officers, from the President
himself, through all subordinate gradcs.-
1t insinuates itself into moral questions, set
Elements of claims, problems of statesman
ship, decides peace and war, and every mat
ter Of internal administration or foreign poll
cy. We suggest to the Republican party, if
it wants to deserve success and to reach it, to
adopt honestly as plank in its Chicago plat
form, the utter demolition of the present sys-
tenn of public patronage.