Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1882-04-14
The Chronic Offce-Se eker.

Mr.. Editor: have often heard il said as
a maxim, "the office should seek the man,
and not the man the Office" as a fact II is
perhaps applicable to one case in thous-
and. This is truly the golden age for office
seeking. Nc place is secure from the office
seekers intrusion. He advances boldly into
the public places, and with an assurance and
effrontery unheard of in our early history
lays before the persons holding the powers
of appointment to office, his claims to an
easy and lucrative position with as much
nonchalance as creditor demands the pay
ment of an honest debt.
When offices are to be filled by the popu-
lar ballot, there is no place or person safe
from the prosecutions and borings of the
untiring and relentless office-seeker. He
you on the highway, at the counter, at the
desk, at the bar, and with letters through
the mail; you are tormentcd with egotist-
ical laudations Of his every good word and
act through life, his eminent qualifications
and fitness are poured out in prosy sermons,
and his shortcomings or incompetency are
excused or covered with a flimsy veil He
does not stop at this, he resorts TO lying, in
trigue, barter and sale.
Mr.. Editor, as the time is approaching TO
fill three important offices in our county, is
1t out of place to warn the people against
being inveigled into promises and pledges
Already is the breath of the Spring air red
olent, not with the perfume of flowers, but
with the whisperings and cajoling letters of
aspirants for these three places.
Last week one OF your town papers even
limited at scheme by which our county was
to be captured for Mr. Urner in the judicial
contest, the whole gist resting upon the APP
TlOinfpnant nj Mr. Arfh 30 c,J
eral Office in Baltimore, regardless of the ac-
ceptability or qualification of either.
Again hear it talked of on every hand
that prominent Democrat is making most
strenuous effort for judicial position; the
fact is currently known and spoken S'that
by letters he is urging his claims TO this
place, and trying to iorestall public opinion.
1t is publicly said that he is excusing and
explaining his past conduct and acts, and
urging his claims to the position by reason
of his age, qualifications, &c.
Now, Mr. Editor, would it not be more
becoming the dignity of an aspirant to this
high and honorable position to patiently wait
and let the people find out and judge of his
merits. Again, the office of Judge should
not be trailed in the mire of politics. No
man is fitted for that position who can not
rise above personal and partisan feelings
The Office of Judge should be filled by one
conversant with the law, of undoubted abil-
ity, and withal the nerve and independence
to administer the law in is purity and sim
plicity, free from favor, Partially or atfec-
ton.
Let our people look to this important
matter well, it is too late after the election
to mourn and deplore the past let them SO
act that they will have just reason To rejoice
and be proud. Let them not be hoodwinked
or blinded by political cant and pledges and
fair promises made to be broken.
A candidate for Judge and one who hon
estly intends to perform the duties Of that
high office can make but one pledge and
that is strict adherence to his official oath.
Any promise, any pledge outside of that
oath is conclusive evidence OF a mans un.
fitness for the place. WARNING.