The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-07-09

that was the rule. The only latitude al
lowed was that each head OF a bureau
or department might select his first or
chief clerk. Under these rules the Office
of temporary clerk in the Treasury Depart
ment, with salary OF 81 200. was allotted
to the Third Tor Richmondl congressional
district, and in the division OF places that
fell TO that district this particular one was
allotted 10 Chesterfield county, and by her
Representatives kindly assigned TO me.
In like manner the place Of first clerk In the
Treasury Department was, under the same
rules, allotted by the committee on patron
age TO the Sixth district, and assigned to
DR.. Bondurant, OF Buckingham county.
But In the exercise Of his permission TO fill
that Office at his discretion, Mr.. RcveIey
chose Mr.. James NJ. Taylor, haling from
the county Of Hanover. Thus cut off
by the rules, certain members froln that
district made claim that their man should
have my place; and ii was against this
pretence, and against odds that II is unne-
cessary TO mention at this time, that l was,
az Messrs. Giddings ana Walker here tes-
tify, "twice confirmed without a dissent
Ing vote after full discussion OF the claims
OF the Sixth district" Immediately after
this DR.. Bondurant was appointed by the
Treasurer temporary clerk under the new
funding bill, with precisely the pay | was
drawing, and he has now held that Office
for more than three months. So that a. the
claims" Of the Sixth district had been
fully met, notwithstanding their unani-
nous rejection before the adjournment OF
the Legislature, and long before the
Treasurer pretended 10 revive them in be-
half OF Il fayOrite Of his own; for IL is
known that the Treasurer now proposes to
appoint in my place friend OF his from
the Sixth district. and thus to allow two
twelve-hundred clerkships to a district
which was decided "withOut 4 dissenting
vote" not to bc entitled to one. II Is not
surprising that under this state OF facts
the gentlemen who have the sole right to
fill my place characterize the action Of the
Treasurer as Gan open violation Of the
rights Of the Third district and OF the
rules Of the CAUCUS"
| .hall not attempt to add word to the
solid strength Of their protest, which
proves this, and to which the Treasurer,
unable to answer or deny it, has not vouch-
,afed even a civil Acknowledgement of it,
receipt. Nor shall | argue to show that
what in law are called imperfect obliga-
tiOnS, such as the pledges given in this
case, are considered OF higher moral force
than positive cnactmcnts, because Of neces-
slty they rest on honor. | merely wish TO
remark n something for my Reddjuster
friends to consider that whilst Mr.. Massey.
the late Auditor, who refused to give such
pledge, and was defeated on that sole
ground, is attempted 10 be excluded from
their fellowship. The Treasurer Of the
Commonwealth. standing mute when
charged by representative Rcadiusters with
can open violation" Of rights and rules
which he gave a solemn pledge to respect,
can vet remain in good standing with the
party. Is that consistent: |, that right :
III his first very polite note TO me | am
assured 10y the Treasurer "that in taking
this step" he j. "not Influenced by any
other consideration than desire to pro-
mote the harmony and success Of the
party TO which he owes his position and the
successful administration OF his Office"
Drawing III inference from naked facts, il
appears that he thinks the way 10 harmO-
nize j. 10 violate the rules Of the party "to
which he owes his position and the
rights Of its members, and t0Selcct officers
whose most conspicuous legislative act Is
reported to be the bestOwal Of their patron
age on Richmond Funders who still hold
their places as proofs Of Readiu>ter gener-
osity. What an exquisite ear for ''har-
mony'!
Scarcely less remarkable is his idea OF
successful administration, for he told a
friend OF mine that lie was "per-
fectly satisfied with the mode in which |
had discharged my duties" but that he
had "bcen driven" to remove me-.
- OIriVcur ia remove an officer whom he
had formally accepted under pledge, and
with whose discharge Of his duties be was
perfectly satisfied. What " brilliant talent 3"
for administration. FRANK G.. RUFFIN.
Richmond, July 8, 1882.