Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1869-05-10
APPOINTMENTS TO OFFICE.

APPOINTMENTS TO OFFICE.
The recent debate in the Senate, re-
la,ive to appointments to office, and the
connection of members of Congress
Herewith, WAS just such a public ven
tilation of the matter as the country
has long desired. So far as the people
themselves are concerned, they have
their W opinions upon the %reprehen-
sible character Of the appointment
system. The cry which lately has waxed
80 loud, and spread so far, in reference
to the belittleing Of Congressional dig
nifty and respect, through members OF
either House transforming themselves
into mere solicitors for their friends,
admirers or constituents, is not a new
cry. For many years back it has con-
stantly been heard at intervals, es-
specially at the termination Of each
period Of four years, when the Admin
istrstion was changed. Hitherto, how
ever, the open and loudly expressed
opposition of tho great masses Of the
people, to their representatives ming
ling in such matters, has appeared to
have produced but little effect upon
Congress itself. In fact, bad has grown
into worse, until the system has we'll
nigh assumed the proportions Of a
canker to our body polite. Who that
has watched the degenerate progress i n
the mode Of securing office through
Congressional influence is not painfully
aware of this fact? While but u half
score Of years since it was no unusual
thing for q Senator or Representative
to request a certain place for a certain
man, now, however, is it not palpable
that the request has merged into u de-
mand2 Though concealed, perhaps,
under o thin rail Of Difference and po-
likeness, is no. the real language Of the
Congressional solicitors, stripped Of all
disguise, " that office must be given to
my frieudT" The evil grew up very
naturally ; but, on that account, was
none the less deplorable. The secret
spur which melted the members in theiI
demands is found in the words Of Sen
ator F~essenden, uttered during the de-
bate, that if Congressman did not yield
to this pressure they would be charged
with " not looking after the interests o.
their constituents" A fear Of tina
charge, nevertheless, constitutes no ex
cu,e for their surrender of their priv
leges and dignity to the clamor Of an!
body Of ofice.seekers. The decided
stand should be taken that in no cas-
would they interfere. This would sooI
become known, and equally soon woult
they cease to be pestorel by those hun
CRY swarms which have flooded Wash
ington tor the past six or seven weeks
There was a time when 10 be a member
OF WaS y nav SNuS N'"'" y
the character and calling of a states
man now it seems to afford only
claim to the character and calling of
claim agent or an Office solicitor. Every
body knows what is called Depart
msnt business" engrosscs fully one
half the time Of the members, and cal
it be otherwise than tha, this huge sub
traction from their public hours should
work detriment to the public interests
But is the remedy at hand? In all the
long discussion upon the matter in the
Senate, no definite plan was proposed
to uproot the evil. 1t might not do, per-
haps, to enact o law forbidding any
action by the members in the matter OF
appointments, saving always the action
Of the Senate in confirming them but
could not q joint resolution be passed
by both Houses characterizing it as de-
rogatory to the position Of a Congress
man to interfere? At any rate, such a
resolution might actas a moralrestraInt