The Placer herald., 1861-04-20
California Omce-Seekers Mt Washington
--.yrrerressible Conflict at the White

No State in the Union is represented by more
clamorous crowd of ohice-scekers at Washington
than California; They are formidable battalion.
who are engaged in Il desperate strife for the fat
pluces on this coast, within The Federal gift.
And they are far from being band Of brothers,
it seems for they have even carried their lea-
ouscs and quarrcls before the President him
self and within the honorcd preci cts of the
White House have engaged in rccrimina'ion and
abuse. disgracefui to the country and particular
ly humiliatng to the people of this coast
1t seems that Baker, who prctcn Is 10 represent
Oregon. in part, in the Z. S. Senate. has taken
upon himself the character of an official broker
at Washington to control both the California and
Oregon appointments This being offensive to
many Caliiornians they held a meeting, appoint
cd committee of five TO recommend to the
President suitable persons for the appointments
and to protest against the interference Of Baker
and to oppose persons whom he had des gnated
for position in this State AT time specified
by the President, the contendng factions met at
the White House. Nunes, on behalf Of the Cal
ifornians opened the ball and informed the Pres
ident of their action, in the appointment Of a
opposition to Baker. Mr.. Smonton, editor Of
the s. F. Bulletin, "a pretty fellow to have
voice in the distribution of Executive plronage)
then took the floor read the protest signed by
some forty Californians, and paper which gave
Baker general ''raking down." At the conclu-
sion Old Abe took the written protest, and ST.
monton's notes on Baker and is reported to have
s,id, "The protest deserves to be considered: but
rs TO your Speech" it is disrespectful to myself
and Mr.. Baker and can make no other dispo-
sition of it than this, thrusting it with the last
word in the fire. This movement nearly eXtin-
guished Smonton and company and Baker stock
went up to par Immediately. long talk ensued,
not of the most fraternal character it is believed,
and an adjournment took place. Subsequently
compromise was orragned-(these Republicans
are opposed to compromise to preserve the Union,
but will compromise for distribution of the
spoils)-by which a committee composed Of the
chiefs of the two factions are to recommend all
the California appointments. So Baker has not
been deposed from his position OF political bro
ker and the Oregon Senator, much TO chagrin Of
Smonton Il Co., dispcnses the Federal patronage
of California.
graceful, and will reflect no credit upon the huck-
stering political pedlers who have taken upon
themselves the distribution of government pap
on this coast If the rank and file of the Re
publcans here are not affected with big disgust
over this business they have larger stomach for
dirt than could have been supposed. 1t must
disgust many; and before the fall election the
effect may be seen and felt in bitter party jeal-
ouses and chickering's in the State.
The fact that Baker has been allowed to have
voice in the California appointments, goes to
show, perhaps that he has party in this State
to support him in his pretensons; but neverthe-
less, il is very unfair that a Senator of another
State should say who may hold place in Califor-
MIA. But the "irrepressblcs" are engaged in q
very pretty fight and will soon take the belt in
scribed harmonious" from the Democracy.