The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1862-11-06
.sFavoritism Of Goyernment oHicials.n


months, and now, instead of being reliable
commercial Sheet is too often the mere echo
of Geo. Francis Train-the political buffoon,"
as he is styled by the New York World-in an
article on the "Favoritism of Government Of
fcials," makes the following remark:
When Que sees, and has seen from the be-
ginning Of the war, that political utilization
with the Administration has determined the
question as to who shall be the recipients of
Government patronage, all this afectation
about political prejudice and disloyalty to the
Administration become absurd
There is nothing more false to facts than
this statement, that political utilization with
the Administration has determined the question
as to whoshall be the recipients of Government
patronage;" unless 1t is intended that such
altiation has determined the matter against
them.
We need not go beyond the borders of our
own State to show the falsity of this state
ment 1t is notorious that very large pro-
portion OF the military appointments made in
the State, have been from those politically OPP
posed TO the Administration. This is true not
only of the appointments made by the Presi-
dent, but also of those made by the Governor.
Take, for instance, the men who have been APP
pointed to the command of the Maine regi-
m .nts, and we find Coils. jackson of the list
Jameson and Roberts of the I'd, Staples of the
Sd, Berry of the 4th, Knowles of the 9th,
Strickland of the sth, Shepley and Kimball of
the 18th, Nickerson oil the l4th, Sewall of the
10th, and numerous others, whose names do
not now occur to us, all of whom are Demo-
Gratis; and we dare say an equally large pro-
portion of Democrats will be found among the
commanders of regiments of still later date
OF the Brigadier Generals appointed from
this State by the President, we find several
who have never affiliated" with the Admins
tration politically; these are Generals Jame-
son, Berry, Shepley, and jackson; and rumor
has it that Nickerson will be the next to re-
ceive the honors OF Brigader.
But how is it with coutractors-those men
whom the Advertiser few days since init
mated must be destroyed before the war can
be closed? In this State the largest contract
ors for hay are W. B. S. Moor, Henry Ingalls,,
and men whom they represent, every individu-
al of them of the Breckenridge stripe Of poll
tics. In Boston we find such men as Paul
R. George, James S. Whitney, John Babson,
and ,niny more ofthat class-all Breckenridge
Democrats-who keep up sort of bro kerr
age for the charter of vessels for the Govern
ment, and except through some one of their
accredited agents it is almost impossible TO
get conference with a Government Quarter
master. We know, from loyal men who have
had opportunities to examine into this matter,
that the statement here made covers gen.
eral truth. One OF those named boosted in Bos-
ton a few days since that though ne was called
rebel at Bath, he was on the inside track,
and he iras determined to keep there This
was said with express reference To the brok-
erage business to which we have alluded. We
do not say that the gentlemen named have
been guilty of wrong, or that they have taken
undue advantage Of the Government, but we
do say that such things disprove the allega-
ton that none but those politically affiliated
with the Administration can become the re-
cipients of Government favor.
We are told that we need not 60 from this
very city to find evidence that those not in
sympathy with the administration are on the
"inside track" and are not slow to take care
of their friends. We think it will be found
that blatant Breckenridge men, who have very
Justly been removed from office by the Presi-
ent for their very offensiveness, have been
carefully provided for by those having charge
OF important public works on our coast. We
are informed that even on the works within a
rifle cannon shot Of our wharves, democrats
find it much easier to get positions than re-
publicans, and that the same is true on all sim
liar works in the state. We do not say or init
mate that there has been any gross wrongs
resulting from this-though We should be very
unwilling to assert the contrary-but We
reer to the fact simply as refutation of the
allegation in the extract copied from the Bull
letin.
The truth is, when Lincoln came into power
he inherited heavy load from the corrupt ad-
ministration of James Buchanan, enough to
sink almost any administration; and it would
have long since sunk his had he not been
blessed with political virtues and integrity
above any President that has for long day
preceded him. He not only inherited the slave
holders rebellion, but he found every Office fill
ed BY a political enemy, and in too many in
stances by political traitors.
And it has sometimes seemed as though the
military, which should have been his arm of
strength, has proved his greatest embarrass-
ment A large proportion of the regular ar
my oficers-the West Pointers"-were of
the southern type, and it has seemed as though
they thought themselves head and shoulders
above the civil power, and infinitely above the
people. But they need not think to escape
retribution if they abuse the brief authority
vested ia their hands. The people are yet
sovereign, and they have very little respect for
badges OF Off GERS. Dishonest men with shout
der straps, vino attempt to favor political GRO
mics, aud to throw rich bargains, and fat con-
tracts, aud desirable charters into the hands of
men simply because they belong 10 their clique,
while they turn deaf ear to loyal men for no
apparent reason only that their loyalty has
never been suspected, may strut their brief au-
thority for day, but so sure as justice is not
dead, their sins will yet find them out, aud
when brought before the tribunal Of all indig-
nant people they will find that the relributions
of such a people are indeed terrible.