The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1882-09-06
Executive Patronage.

The powerofappointing and removing,
without cause and without accountable
ity, thousands of people in the service
of the country is dangerous to the liber-
critics and morals of State.
The unlimited power to give office
and take it away gives one man a dau-
gerous command over the hopes and /
fears of multitude of people. Who
controls mans means of living, con-
trolls his will also. When fayors are
to be granted there are many to solicit
them and when they can be with
drawn at pleasure, personal indepen-
dence is endangered. This power ex-
cites the fears of all place occu-
pants, and stimulates the hopes of all |
place expectants. Those who are out
endeavor to distinguish themselves by
activity in the service of party as the
surest way to commend themselves toj
the appointing power; and those who
are IN see to it that others do not sur
pass them in the qualities and conduct
necessary to secure fayors. Thus a COM
petition arises not the generous conpe-
tition of patriotic labors of manliness;
of independence of public spirit; of
severe tolls for the common good, but
the disgraceful rivalry of unhesitating
compliance in the will Of the Executive
and the behest of the party of syco-
phantic subserviency and gross adula-
/ ton.
What are the facts at present? We
find that the managers and committees
of the party in power, not content with
the exertions in behalf of party office
holders would naturally make cut of a
sense of the insecurity Of their positions,
sending out circulars, under the very
eye of the Executive, and, it is said,
with his approval, assessing these agents
and servants of the people in asum equal
to two per cent. of their annual compen-
sation. No threat of removal on non
compliance is expressed it is even said,
when the whole system in all its enor-
nifty is being agitated and ventilated in
Congress- ct as if in the religious
meeting house of your own choice" but
is it to be supposed, do the managers
themselves believe that the widow, with
the knowledge of the fate which has be-
fallen so many about her in spite of this
promise, with the hungry mouths OF
her children appealing to her, would
dare refuse of her mite, this exaction
Is it not to be supposed, rather, that to
purchase peace and make assurance
doubly sure" she would give of her pit
lance even more thar demanded?
Now what is done with this fund of
iniquity? To what purposes is it APP
piled The question is so important as
to have been made an issue in Indiana
We let the democracy of that State an
swer the inquiry;
We condemn it (the Republican partly
for its shameless disregard of its pledges in
favor of "civil service reform" and its cor
rupt use of the public patronage under the
spOils system.
We condemn it for its systematic levy of
blackmail upon the clerks and Union Office
holders of the United States, in violation OF
law, to raise a fund for the corruption Of the
bdlL0t-b0G: and we call especially upon the
voters of Indiana to Yindicate their honor
and to erase the stain that was placed upon
them by the "Dorseyites" in 1880.
Thus it would seem that the people,
through this system of political assess
ments, are forced to supply the means
for their own corruption.
This power enables the Executive,
and if we may credit the commonly re-
ceived opinion is carried to the extent of
designating nominations for Congress
and other positions of honor and trust,
and most commonly and most naturally
the nominations desired and secured
are of those who have already distin-
guished themselves by activity in exc
cutting the will and furthering the designs
of this functionary. 1t is notorious
that nominations in New York, even
for State offices, are made either at the
dictation orin accordance whit he known
wishes of the Executive. We cannot
trace all the ramifcations of this
vast and constantly increasing power.
Enough is known to excite the gravest
apprehensions for the integrity of our
institutions.