Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-02-11
wEDNEsDAY.FEBRUARY II, 1885
A Dangerous Experiment.


A Dangerous Experiment.
In the city Of Norfolk there was re
Gently some complaint because it wa
supposed that the congressional-distric
committee had met TO consider the qucs
ton Of filing the Federal offices in tina
district, or rather, to make recommen
dstions for those Offices. II turned out
We think, that the committee had no
done what was charged against them
and 80 the matter dropped.
A Mccklenburg correspondent sends
us the following letter, which tells o
Objectionable action on the part Of Q
county committee. The reader will see
at once that the State Central Commit
tee, the State Executive Committee, the
Observation-Disclosures committees, and
the county committees have an cqua
right thus to assemble and recommend
their friends for appointment to all
the Offices; but he will be ap,
to infer that Mr.. BARBoUR's com.
mittees would, if it were allow
able. easily exercise controlling
influence over these appointments, the
congrcssional-district and county CON-
mittecs being too far removed from the
appointing power. Would our Meek
lenburg friends be willing for the State
Executive Committee to meet and re-
commend men to gil all the Offices in
Virginia. Surely this State Committee
has as much right to recommend for the
whole State as congressional-district
committee for a whole congressional
district or county committee for a
whole county.
III it shall be decided that these seye-
raj committees are to dispense the pa
tronagc of the Government, there will
be hereafter a scramble amongst politi-
clans for places upon those committees.
But as every Office is in some
county, and also in some congressional
district, as well as in the State, we do
not as yet understand how these COM
mittees are to agree when they come to
apportioning the offices amongst their
respective friends.
And what is to become Of the con-
gressmens Hitherto they have exer-
cised controlling influence in the dis
pensation of Federal patronagc-that is,
those of them from each State who be-
longed to the same party with the Ad-
ministration.
Again: Shall the Richmond City Com
inittee recommend postmaster for
Richmonds also, collector of customs
for this port? Shall the Petersburg
committee do the same for Petersburg?
But haven't the gentlemen composing
these several committees the right to
recommend their friends for office?
Undoubtedly, but not as committee
meE--not in their official character.
All things that are lawful are not expe-
dent, says St. PAUL. For example,
the Dispatch has right to recommend
a friend for every Office in the Common
wealth, and to advocate his claims, and
TO show why he should be appointed
rather than any other man. But it is
not expedient for US so to do. And if
we were to recommend for each post
Office In Mecklenburg a friend of ours,
and advocate his claims, and call upon
the Virginia Democratic congressman to
assist US in the work, the Mecklenburg
committee would be very apt to object.
And yet IL services rendered to the
Democratic party are to be pleaded as
Z justification Of the course Of our
Mecklenburg friends, the Dispatch
might enter that plea in its own be-
half. Why not? Why should not the
Democratic editors in Virginia meet and
divide out the Offices among their
friends? Haven't they as much right
10 do 50 as any county committee, or
district committee, or State committed
The following letter speaks for itself:
BOyDToN, MEcKLENBURG co, VA,
February 3, 1885. !
TO the Editor Of the Dispatch.
The Democratic Executive Commit
Tee Of Meckienburg county met in Boyd
ton on last Saturday, the eth instant,
under call Of its chairman, to consider
whether it should take action as po-
Hfieol orgaaisafion, and, il so, what ac-
ton. In reference 10 the rccommenda-
ton and endorsatioa of candidates. or
rather applicants. for the various offices
n this county at the disposal Of the
Federal Administration. Amer certain
prsliminsries the committee discussed
the question as to whether the COM
snittee. as Q political organiza-
zion, had the right to interfere in |
The matter Of recommendation for |
once. The view that the committee. |
u is capacity IS apolitical organization, |
had the right, was presented by the |
chairman Nv. Z. Holnes) and Messrs. |
>. II. Russell, Thomas Williams, aud |
Q. 4. Rockies. The yiew that it was
the right and privilege Of the people
who received and forwarded their mail
through tho various post-ofices in the
county TO petition and recommend for
Ehs appointment Of their own postmas-
lers IVES presented BY Edward B.
6oede, 4sq. On . call Of yeas aud
pays To committee decided BY vote
II - 70 8 that tho committee as : po-
i(icnl organization posssssed this right
= Recommendation. When this vote
re- anncsscsd the six members who
= -. L