Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-04-07
METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS
TuK M.RsHA1sH1P. &c.-we have re.

The MARsHALsH1P, &c.-We have re-
ceived another communication on this subject
which would be published were 1t not mis-
laid. We will state its substance, to wit
that Caledonia and Washington are no more
entitled than Windsor to the Marshal, as both
have collectors of internal taxes therefore
Orange is best entitled, and Why not let the
present incumbent hold over, being good
officer, "unless it is because he is poor
man :" Were we to permit ourself to be
drawn into discussion Of this matter, we
might set eff an NJ. G. in Orange, and deny
altogether that Washington has more than its
share, compared even with Orange but it is
enough to say that Washington did not ask
the Marshalship. Again we might very proba-
bly, say, that the assessorships and collector
ships are hardly Offices proper to be disposed
Of by lot. We think the Treasury Depart
ment will insist.--and all honest people also
will insist, unless they are willing TO pay the
taxes and let the rogues go iree-that the
rule in these cases must be; men fit for the
office, and not the Office for whatever man
or county wants it. Good officers are indis-
pensable TO the successful management Of
that Department. If possible, it's assessors
and collectors should be shrewder than the
sharpest rogues,-ss prudent as the wisest Of
honest men,-thoroughly acquainted with all
classes and modes Of business, and with the
r =. -
perfectly just-and men whose personal in
tegrty is unquestioned and unquestionable.
II such men are found where the rule Of equal
distribution can be applied, then apply it
but if not, then get the men wherever they
Can be found. The claims Of localities should
be subsidiary to the clahn Of the Gov
eminent for faithful officers, in this depart
ments if in any, and we are very mucn inclined
to the opinion that it should be in all The
truth is that we are all too much in the habit
Of forgetting that the offices were designed
for the practical service of the Government
and the public, and not as rewards Of party
merit. Now as to the Marshalship we make
no objection to our friend Baldwin holding
over, nor to our other Amisble and excellent
friend, District Attorney Howe but we do
most decidedly object to being drawn into a
condemnation of the Vermont delegation for
recommending a change. We do not know
their reasons; out we do so well know the
members Of the delegation, and their difficult
ties in such cases, as to be confident that they
have done only what they judged to be for
the best under al the circumstances of the
case. Having had share Of experience with
them IN these things, we must say that we
never knew one Of them TO fail Of giving a
fair consideration to the candidates and Just
decision to the cases adjudged on their mer-
its and we shall be slow to think they have
lost any Of their good intentions. They may
have been mistaken or misinformed, and so
may ourself with them, but never guilty OF
malice prepense or deliberate injustice to any
candidate or county. We do not know how
it has been now, but four years ago the rule
was such and the unanimity of the delegation
so perfect, that any serious error in the decis-
ion Of case was impossible.