, 1879-03-06
AM REPRODUCTION.

1t is unusual. for one entrusted by
the people with power to appoint to
a public Office, to report formally to
them how he has executed that trust,
or to say anything beyond the cod
letter Of appointment, by way of in
PRODUCING to them his appointee;
yet | perceive manifest propriety,
in the present case, for departing
from ordinary precedent.
The late capable, faithful and ac'
commodating deputy clerk, residing
at Seattle, has resigned; and, for
reas MS seeming TO me sound, his
resignation has been accepted. The
clerk of the court has applied to me
to fill the vacancy, and, declining to
make any nomination himself, has
left to my discretion both to nomi'
nate and appoint successor Thus
crcumstanced, | have appointed
James p. Ludlow.
Our new appointee has not sought
this office. sought him for the Of
fico. This | did much to his sur
prise. | am his friend. But the
friendship l hear him has not inau-
enced my choice. chose him not
for friendship but for fitness. have
known him intimately, and regarded
him with intent scrutiny, for the last
three years. He has, in my opinion,
exceptionally full qualifications for
such an office as this, and particular,
ly under present circumstances.
In speaking Of his qualification, |
refer him to an absolute perfect
standard, by approximation to which
, he and all other like officers must be
ranked. Anyone will utterly mis-,
take my intention, who thinks that,
by so doing, ! am seeking to cast
any imputation or reflection upon
any class or individual whatever.
1t has seemed to me that this dep.
usy clerk should be man Of fair
reputation, familiar with his pen.
versed in just such routine work as
this Office demands, aud as far as
possible disconnected from the move.
ments, passions and persons con.
cerned in the recent change of .Iudg.
es in this district. Moreover, as this
office is a considerable one for this
Territory, whether il be looked upon
from mere administrative, or a gen.
craI political standpoint, he should
possess still higher qualifications.
He should be man-So intelli.
gent that he will readily understand.
So simple, that he can be readily un-
derstood; so meek that he will obey
without question; so quick and capa,
be, that he will be always prompt;
so accurate that he will do the thing
required and not another; so faithful
that no consideration of self will pre-
vent his doing it; so conscientious
that he will rather lose than take
fec of doubtful legality; so kindly
that he will deligh to do service,
though unpaid and unthanked; so
discreet as not to be a busybody in
other mems mems matters. So well
informed, politically, as to understand
that the combination of politicians
to obtain and retain for themselves,
for private advantage, the power and
emoluments of political Office is a
strong and ever present factor in the
party divisions and popular elections
of our country, and oftentimes in ad |
ministrative appointments, and if al.
lowed any control, is sure, in a great
er or less degree, to interfere with
and prevent that wise and economic
administration Of public affairs to
which the people are constitutionally
entitled.
So politically clear, as to know,
that, in any shape or form, and how.