Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-08-19
Highland.
THE MONTEREY POsTOFFICE - PAR T Y
USAGES.


EDITOR SPEcTAToR:-As we have no me-
dunn in our county for the publication of
political matter, we desire through the col
umns of your valuable paper to refer brief
ly to an editorial in the last Highland Re
cOrder, and the continual bowling of its ed
itor whenever Republican postmaster Is
removed and Democrat appointed in his
place. While we regret very much the
turn affairs have taken in reference to the
Monterey postoffice. and while we would
not have objected to Mr.. Slavens reten-
ton in the Office, believing, at the same
time, that where change is necessary on
account of the inefficiency of an incumbent
or offensive partisan, that a majority of the
patrons of the office in sympathy with the
Administration should control the appoint
ment, yet with that matter as it now stands
this article has nothing to do, but simply to
call the attention of the people of High
land county to the fact, that while the
editor of the Recorder prates so loudly,
and comments so deliberately upon the
virtues of Mr.. Slaven-his inOffensive par
sanism-his efficiency, and general popu-
larity, all of which from our knowledge OF
the gentleman in question we endorse. He
fails to tell the people, if we are correctly
informed, that if Jas. G. Blaine had been
elected President of the United States, not
withstanding Mr.. Slaven's many excellent
virtues, &C.. and that editors present con-
struction of Civil Service Beform, that Mr..
Slaven would have had to walk the plank"
and the ''editor' appointed to the position,
pledged to him in the event of Mr.. Blaine's
election Now, sir, if this be the fact in
the case, then we say that the editors"
pretensions of friendship for, and high ex-
altation of, Mr.. Slaven from the very ma
tule of the case is mere hypocrisy and po-
litical can't, and to say the least contempti-
ble 1t cannot be through any love or SYM
pathy for Mr.. Slaven, Except on the ground
that misery loves company, that he thus
pirates, but for the purpose of venting his
spleen upon the present Administrator
one of the best the country has ever had,
Democrats and Republicans North and
South.
| But squib batteries rarely ever do much
harm. The gentleman forgets that but a
| few short years ago. under a foul and cor
rupt bargain with the accidental President,
and in a manner unprecedented in the an
nails of this Government, the Outcast and
slanderer of Virginia, VIM. Malone, reck-
lessly, and without a single charge of inetfi-
cheney or partisanism against any incum-
bent of any postoffice in the State, but be-
cause they would not yield to his demands
upon them in the shape of assessments for
political purposes, which was contrary to
the letter and spirit of that Civil Service
Reform which the gentleman now so per-
sistently and inconsistency advocates, had
them removed and parties appointed to fill
their places who would ''crook the supple
hinges of the knee that thrift may follow
fawning," and who, when the boss whip
would crack, like cringing slaves, fall on
their knees i'll humble subserviency and in
the language of the notorious "Kitchen
Statesman" and ''apostate for the price of
his apostacy," the present Republican NOM
inee for Governor of Virginia, John S. Wise,
cry out "Lead on, master; I'll follow"
| Whatever else the gentleman has learned,
he seems to be ignorant of the fact that
''those who live in glass houses should not
throw stones" We had intended noticing
his article on the democratic Nominees, P"
but after reading it over the second time
concluded the game wasn't worth the pow
der and that the people were cognizant of
the fact that little minds were envious of
and could not appreciate the great and no.
BILE.
HIGHLAND.