Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-03-08
THE REPUBLICANS AND APPOINT
MENT OF POSTMASTERS.
LETTER PROM NON. SCHUYLER ooLFAx.
From the South Bend Qa.) Register.

MENI OF POS lMAS lEkS.
LETTER PROM HON. SCHUYLER ooLFAx.
From the South Bend Oa) Register.
II. r. WAsH1NoroN, Jan. 25.
Friend Wheeler II was glad to notice your
editorial in the last Register in favor of the
Republicans of each locality deciding by pc
pular vote their choice for Postmasters wher-
ever there is a serious rivalry for the appoint
ment. and the office is one Of emoumont suf-
fcicut to Justify this course.
No other mode Of selection could be fairer
to the competing candidates, or iairor to the
people, who really patronizo the Postoiicc far
more universally than they do the Sheriff or
Clerks Offices the ncumbcnts of which they
first designate by their Nominating Conyen-
tions, and then elect by their votes, end in a
very large majority Of cases most wisely
But for the provision of Constitution, which
declares that tho appointment of inferior
officers may be- vested by law in the Prcsi-
dent. the heads of Departments or the Courts
of Justice without authorizing its confer
mont bv positive law on the people, Congress
would doubtless have long since, in accord
ance with the almost unanimous wish of the
people. authorized the election Of Postmastcrs
for the power of removal reserved to the
Department. would be a sufficient safeguard
against the retention of unworthy men.
Il is so easy and just for the Republicans
within the sphere of any =. O 60 dcs ignate
their choice for Postmaster, at sometime liked
bv their Ccutral Committee men, and the
townships to participate therein designated
bv the same authority that am surprised
any one should object TO IL. lind trih my
constituents 10 kno,o that, n erery case iohc'e
there is an arfire contest for he appointments
hare earnestly recommended his course, and
that e i0H not De- uiy fault n 40 is not adopied.
It is a much better expression OF public opin-
ION than petitions, as some persons sign all
4, papers of that kind and far better than To-
. leave il to a Representative in Congress to
determine who amongst dozen valued friends,
! he would recommend to the Department. aud
b. which itself can know even less of tho poo
, puar preference than he does.
Whatever objections there may be to am in
q formal election of this kind are all outweigh
, ed by the fact that it declares unmistakably
. the popular will, at least Of the party parti-
y cipatng; and its decision will cause much
+ less discomfort 20 those who are defeated by
n this test than their aspirations bad been de-
/, featcd by an exercise of power by any one
d man, who is quite as likely TO err in his selec-
ton as the Republicans who are TO be brought
S 10 daily intercourse with the officer elected.
p Some persons might think the power desira-
IL Bile but on my part, / prefer that II shall be
, exercised by the people themselves. II our
opponents had ever exhibited, when u power,
a willingness % allow Republicans TO partici-
pate in the selection Of their Postmasters,
4 should be in favor of making the election q
! general one, In which all parties should vote.
. AS they have not they would not of course
sd of hHr u|Hf fa-