Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1869-09-17

The announcement made public a day or two
since that Judge Richardson had decided to fill
the position of Assistant Secretary OF the
Treasury at least until the first of January
next-holding, meanwhile, the ONCE Of Probate
Judge IN MASSACHUSETTS, not likely to prove
satisfactory to his political friends in that
State, to say nothing OF those who happen to
differ from him in politics. The Springfield
RePUbltcdn has indeed already spoken out
pretty sharply on the SUBJECT, and says that,
whether Mr.. r. draws pay in both offices or
not. the State of Massachusetts has as good
ground Tor complaint against him as he has
against any of his subordinates in the Treasury.
from whom he exacts a deduction Of pay on
account Of absenteeism. 1t adds that .sthere is
too much Of this show Of dong double work,
which commonly ends in doing neither half
well" and frankly expresses the opinion that
Judge X. ought to resign either his Office in
Washington or that in Massachusetts,.
In the general view the REPUBLICAN is I'M
douotedly correct and whether its remarks In
regard 10 the manner in which dual Offices are
generally filled apply to this instance or no.,
II Is an IndIsputable fact that an attempt 70 I'LL
both federal and q state or county ONCE
usually results IN q miserable failure, and al.
most invariably In bad feeling in the commu-
nifty where the double functions are sought 10
talked OF one of Mr. Young, the Internal Rev.
enue Supervisor Tor the southern district of
Ohio. who holds IN addition to that delicate
and responsible position the lucrative office of
Recorder Of Hamilton county; and 1t is pretty
well understood that most of the recent COM
phcaticns In his case grew out OF the fact that
ms proposed transfer from the Ohio 20 the
Arkansas district, as directed by tue Commis-
sIoner. implied substantially the giving 10 Of
one office or the other. II he went to Arkan.
sas, the people of Cincinnati would expec
HIM to give up the RecordershIp. II he sur.
rendered that place, he gave up what Is gen.
orally supposed 10 be worth nearly twenty
thousand dollars year. II he abandoned the
other, patronage and power almost without
limit, IN local sense, passed from his hands
80 ne made fight. The result was that the
country was for some days RECALLED with what
purported to be the details OF a controversy
which did not reflect much credit on either
participant, and which finally terminated In a
seeming victory for the recaicItrant subordi-
nate over his superior oficer.
But these are only incidental cases. Others
quite as striking might be cited by the score.
and the abuses attending them might be pointed
out TO safety. They will, however, occur to
every intelligent and thoughtful reader Ii
only needs TO be said, what every fair minded
person will admit, that when an indi yiduaI
accepts public office. IL follows by impIica-
ton, II not by express agreement, that his
whole time should be devoted TO Its duties; and
when he chooses to accept, another of higher
honor or greater proft, he should yacate the
one previously held. A decent respect for
public opinion would seem to req uire this. even
though there may Be no legal enactment for.
bidding the payment Of the salaries OF two
ofnces to q single person; and ONCE holding
gentlemen who are able TO bring themselves up
70 the point Of recognizing and acting on this
fact will be likely to gain In public esteem q
good deal more than they lose In pocket. Ne.
potism and monopoly of ONCE are two Of The
cardinal curses Of our poliucal system, and a
reform in both directions cannot be common ed
too soon. Who will take the first step toward
inaugurating 1T