, 1875-06-03

Seattle, W. t., June g, 1873.
ACQUISITION OF PATTY SPou.s.-"Jhose
small creatures who bv an inselutable
Providence, are permitted to ed;; coun.
try newspapers, and to subsist upon
:he garbage gathered from the corrup-
tion of party politics, are thrown into
spasms of envy because the editor of
this paper has been awarded position
of public trust which he has not earned
by eating dirt or doing menial party
service; a circumstance which they
cannot comprehend, as the ike never
before cane within the experience Of
any of them.
First comes the ass loot village Attor-
ney who resorts TO the press as an al
tentative to starvation at the bar, and
lays Down the law on the subject. which
the virtuous editor Of the Tacoma Iri6-
ape echoes as follows: Judge Lewis
has, we are informed, and quite arbi
trarily, We think, taken upon himself to
appoint Deputy Clerks for Mr.. Seavy at
both Steilacoom and Seattle at the
former place Mr. Julius Dickens, and
at the latter Mr.. Beriah Brown-in this
way defeating the intent of the law com
biningthe three clerkships in one.
Had either of these men known eny-
thing of the law of which they assume
t. speak so positively, they could only
have made this statement with the MALI
cious intent of misrepresenting the facts.
Section 55S of the United States Reyis-
ed Statutes says: zone or more dep
.uties cf any elerl. of q district court
may be appointed by the court. on the
application of the clerk. and may be
removed at the pleasure of Judges au
thorized to make the appointment.
Strictly in accordance with this law,
on the written application of Mr.. Seavy,
now on file in this office. the Chief
Justice made the appointment. If any
consideration of reward for party ser
vices, past or prospective had any in
fuenss upon the Judges choice, we are
not conscious of it. That our appoint
ment was recommended by a majority
of the bar of this District, of both
political parties. We are creaibly in
formed, that it is endorsed by every
Federal officer upon Puget Sound, We
have good reason to believe. and that it
is acceptable to the fair man Of ali par
ties we have no reason tc doubt.
But the Courier. the protested organ
of the Republican party of the Terrific
ry, and its business conirere, the Stand. I
ard, the professed organ of the Demo-
cratic party of the Territory. join i'll
condemning the appointment as in vio-
lation of party usages, and intimate
that Judge Lewis is either party to
corrupt bargain, or false to his party
obligations. The las. Legislative Coun-
Gil was composed of five Republicans
and foul Democrats. We received the
unanimous vote Of the members of that
BODY for Chief Clerk, position of
more political influence than that of
Clerk of the Court. We subsequently
received the unanimous vote of the
entire Legislative Assembly for Regen
of the University, and were afterwards
elected President of the Board of Re-
gents; position certainly of more Dig
nifty tLan that OF Deputy Clerk. In
neither Of these cases was there an
intimation or suggestion of corruption
or violation of party usages; because
the emoluments of those Offices were
supposed to be much less than those of
Clerk Of the Court; the logical deduc,
ion fiom which is, that they regard the
mount Of the spoils Of Office as the
;oe test Of party fidelity.
Fortunately for the country and for
ne honor and dignity Of party politics,
uch principles are held in low esteem
the more honorable even of both po-
tical parties. A gentleman whose CON
ect1on with the Republican party dates
ON its first existance, and who has en-
'yed its highest honors in this Terri
Try, writes US: "My hearty congrat-
lations on your recent appointment.
Us member of the bar of the Sd dis
rict I would heartily add my name.
were it not too late to exibit my wish
for your success. | know you are honest
and competent, and I trust do not
misapprehend the signs Of the times,
that we are really getting back TO the
Jeffersonian test for appointment to
Office, and getting away from the horrid
innovation that to the victors belong {
the spoiIs, and that political dirt eating
and partisan service are the sole claims
to position, regardless Of capacity or
character"