Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1861-03-01

4The Gazette. in speaking of the Post Mas
tership, says (in effect) the decision of the
people here will not determine the matter at
If so what becomes of the
idea, so much harped on by the opposition, of
having the people elect their own Post Mas
ters.''
We should not have deemed it necessary TO
say anythi ng further on the subject of electing
Post Masters. but for the above paragraph
copied from the Standard of yesterday. We
said nothing of the kind indicated, though We
now say we doubt very much whether an cleo
tion participated in and controlled by Demo-
Gratis would have any effect in determining the
decision-nor indeed do we believe any cleo
tion would be decisive unless confined exclu-
sively to Republican voters within the deliv-
cry limits OF the Office, and assenied 10 By all
candidates as the mn,le by which their con-
flicting claims should be settled. This would
of course dispose of all applicants but one,
and il suitable person for the post he would
doubtless secure the appointment. These
elections (in all cases except the one referred
to last week restricted to Republican vOters)
have been, or are to be held, ID a number of
the county towns of our State. In some cases
all the candidates seem to have acquiesced and
Joined in the request that the election should
be heId-in others a portion of them refused
to enter into the arrangement, preferring to
select their own mode of making their appli
cation. This was the case in Springfield and
Mt. Vernon, in both places candidates declin-
ing to enter into the arrangement because
many Of those most interested in the Office
disapproved Of that mode of determining the
matter and refused to take part in the election.
In Mt Vernen, amPRg some ten to dozen
candidates, the successful one received less
than 200 votes out Of about 1000 cast. In
Springfield twelve candidates were voted for,
934 votes cast, aud the successful gentleman
received 3Q9. We are at lUss 10 know
what better any given number of votes would
be than the same number of names to a peti-
tion or endorsement, except to dispose Of con-
ficting claims. Indeed names to- n petition or
endorsement would have a manifest advantage
over votes, for it would show who the signers
were, and some estimate could be formed US
to the extent of their interest in the admins
tration of the Office, which mere votes would
fail to Indicate. We have no serious objection
to expressing preference for Post Master
by ballot, where the election is generally as
scntcd 10, properly restricted, and approved
by all the candidates though it is manifest
that with multiplicity of candidates, there
might easily be such thing as person re-
ceiving u mere plurality who might be i'm
competent for the proper discharge of the
duties that would dcvolve upon him, and not be
acceptable TO the great mass of those doing
business at the Office.
We are not aware of the idea being "much
harPcd on by the opposition, Of having the
people elect their own Post Masters" We
certainly never heard it claimed that that pOr
ton of 'the people" who voted the Democrat
tic ticket should have voice in the matter,
even wien elections have been talked of or
resorted to. We have no disposition TO de-
prive our Democratic brethren of their legit-
innate rights, but to designate Republican
Post Masters certainly is not one of them.
1t is the duty of those having appointments
to make TO bestOw them upon honest and
competent persons, and such as will not he Oh
noxious to those who are to have official inter
course with them. 1t is not likely the Presi-
dent or Departments will act otherwise. They
are to be held responsible for the character
of their appointments, and before making
them will doubtless satisfy themselves of the
fitness of the applicant for the place applied
for-of the evidence presented. it will be for
them alone to judge. Mr.. SEWARD is to be
! the leading member of the Cabinet-the
! IPremier-and what his views are relative to
| a person having appointments to make, for
qriich he ulone is responsible, permitting others
TO designate the person TO be appointed, may be
gathered from the following extract. 1t
would not be surprising if Mr.. Lincoln should
be found to entertain similar views. The ex-
tract is from letter written in 1889, when
MIR. Seward was Governor of New York, in
reply to request that he would make an ap-
pointment at the suggestion Of a county con-
vention of the party to which he belonged. 1t
may be found on page 500, vol. 2, of Works
OF VIM. H. Seward, Edited by Geo. Z. Baker,
and reads thus:
with the views now entertain of my du-
ties and responsibilities as magistrate, act
ing for the benefit of the whole people,
could not recognize the rec Jmmendation OF
such body, as entitled to any decisive weight.
Any other course wOnld be only to surrender
to county conventions the power confded TO
me and there can he no sufficient motive for
such q dereliction of duty. 1 seek and am
willing TO receive information and advice from
any and all parties, and any and all men, in
relation to any question upon which shall
be called to act But l do not deem in inn
portant or desirable that the executive de-
partment should be released from any of the
responsibilities devolved upon it, by the con-
stitution and laws"
Yesterdays dispat ches from Washington
announce that the Peace Conference had
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