The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-06-21
NO 3
Federal Appointments.

The contest over the Petersburg postoffice
has been concluded by the appointment of
Mr.. D. G. Potts, democrat. 1t will be re.
membered that Mr.. Potts was designated for
that position by the Postmaster General
some months since, but the commission was
withheld. In the meantime there has been
an active competition going on for the posi-
ton, the belief gaining strength that Re.
publican would be successful in securing the I
office, until the final action Of the President
last Saturday.
We expected that Mr.. Potts would be adj
hered to, inasmuch as the .Postmater-Gene.
raj had made the appointments, and 1t would
have looked somewhat disrespectful for the
President to have disregardcd his recon-.
mendation.
The same may be said OF the Lynchburg
postofice. Mr.. Marye, a democrat, who
has been designated by tile Postmaster.
General as the postmaster at that place, will
most probably receive the commission. The
reasons that operated in the Petersburg case,
will have equal force at Lynchburg.
We think, in these appointments, there 10
misconception Of the democrats of the
South, whose good opinion is worth having.
1t is not the offices they want. They should
like to see them filed by gentlemen in
whom the communities in which they
are established to serve have conf
dence. They recognize the propriety
of the appointees also beirg in sympa-
thy with the party in power. 1t is
true, in the cases both of Mr.. Potts and Mr.. {.
Marye, the offices were not sought. 1t
therefore can not be regarded as a conpro.
mise of their party identity to accept. But
the more influential and considerable OF the
democratic party do not ask or expect dem.
ocrats to be appointed to Office. when re-
spectacle Republicans can be found to fill
them. Those democrats who are seeking
office would add nothing to tbs strength Of
the administration. They rather incur the
distrust of their party friends whose good
opinion is worth having. What the people
OF the Sonth want is good government, effi-
cient and courteous public officers, entirely
satisfied if they be Republicans. The dem
ocrats know that democratic administra-
tration would have nothing but democratic
officers. They ask nothing more Of Repub-
lican administration than they would be will
ing to conccde if they were liz power. It is
not through the appointment Of democrats to
office that the administration will reach the
confidence Of the people. 1t is by wise and
just policy, respecting the rights Of all and
administering the government in the interest
of all. Those Of the democratic party who
are seeding office, would add little weight to
either party, and, generally speaking, will
not be as acceptable to democratic communi.
ties as the Republicans, who, in their person.
al relations enjoy the confidence OF those
among whom they live.
Capt. Marye, with whom we are well &C. :.
quainted, is an accomplished gentleman,
andwould doubtless discharge the duties Of
any position assigned him consclentiodsly and
efficiently. He. however, would not seek
position from an administration that he op-
posed, nor would he compromise his polltl-
cal integrity by Identifying himself with an
antagonizing party, for the sake OF Office.
So If he is appointed, as we think ii proba-
Bile he will be, to the Lynchburg post.oHlce,
whatever his opinions may now be, they will
so remain, without any shadow Of turning
from his democratic procivities.