The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1869-05-21
PATRONAGE.

We 90 not believe in the practice of
political parties which gives the offices
to persons who have been defeated in
their aspirations before the people. 1t
is all old Democratic dogma, and we
regret to see our Republican Admins
tration adopting it, in any degree what
ever. a man whom the people will
not elect to an office should not be taken
up by the .'powers that be-" and given
some good appointment. Several
.played out" members of Congress in
various States have been cared for by
General Grant, and in Kansas some of
the late appointees are men which were
lately thrown overheard by the public.
One would naturally suppose that those
who have the disposal of offices would
want TO strengthen the party by getting
strong men for positions of trust and
honor, but the practice is often just the
opposite to this.
Under the head of patronage" the
Kansas Daily COMMUNICATE has some
remarks which suit us exactly, and we
reprint them in place of an article which
We have been intending to write. We
simply say the act of procuring the APP
pointment of a person to honorable po-
sition who is not endorsed by the mass
es of the party, should weaken the Sem
ator or Congressman who procures the
appointment. 1t is too often the case
that persons are appointed to office
from the one consider alton of how
much dirty work they can and will do
| for the person procuring their commits
sions.
ave have less faith In political pat
ronage as an element of political power
than many seem to have. The trouble
is that the offices generally go TO the
! "bummers," the IncndicaDtS, who strive
| the most assiduously to obtain them.
! As such, the people know them as we'll
! rs ii the word ''cOrmorant were brand
! ed OH their foreheads. Hence, they are
not likely to exert any very extended
| influence. The few gudgeons they may
| be able to catch with their treasury sOps
will be more than compensated by the
| be ter fish they will brighten from their
! filthy political waters. When Senator
t Brown makes a Postmaster, RepreSen-
| tative Smith a Marshal, or Gov. Jones
| an Assessor, il is well understood that
the Postmaster is TO work for Brown,
| the Mlrslial for Smith, aud the Assessor
| for Jones. We submit that under
these circumstances. the influence OF
these gentlemen cannot be Overpower-
ing.
The people of Kansas can see as far
! into u milestone as any other people.
When these fellows with collars on
come around to ''elcctionecr" them. they
read the names on the collars, see who
| own them. and then refer TO the Blue
Book to see how Innch they are paid for
their services, stcalings excluded. Their
purchased eulogies go i'll at one car, and
ont at the other.
! We know it is pleasant for politicians
in power to provide places for their
friends, but we doubt whether it pays
after all. We believe that the man, the
Kansas man, who should retire from the
patronage business and announce his
irrevocable purpose never again to bore
Il President or Il Cabinet officer in the
interest Of hungry constituents, would
stand infinitely higher in the affections
OF the people than any OF our public
men has ever ct done. We suggest this
experiment to- Senators Pomeroy and
Ross and Representative Clarke, with
little hope, we confess, that either oil
them will try it."