The Waco daily examiner. [volume] (Waco, Tex.) 187?-1888, 1885-12-02
Federal Patronage.

age is the one function Of the presi-
dent which gives him power over
men. The signing of bills, the direc-
ton of the functionaries of the gov
eminent, the fixing of policies and
the distinction attached to the head
of the nation, are all of them matters
of Importance, but when you seek for
the germ of the moral power the
president wields, you will find 1t hid
den under the fact that he has about
q hundred thousand Offices at his dis
posal, and these are to be filed by
men of his own selection. The ex-
pectants, as well as their friends, pay
court to the president until the selec-
ton is made, and for an obvious res-
son; and afterwards, in order that
they may retain the hard-earned place
at the public crib, they are ready to-
go out into the highways and bye
ways and sing his praises as long as
life aud voice lasts. In thirty-eight
states and seven territories these
creatures of executive creation arc
scattered thickly, and they are very
vociferous. When some wise, candid
or keen observer detects flaw in the
executive, aud is iudiscreet enough
to speak of 1t, the one hundred thou
sand voices are Immediately raised,
and he has such din about his ears
that he wishes he had never heard of
a president or u thief. This is not
not the most dangerous phase of ex-
ecutive power. II has another form,
and another function which Is Tar
more sinister and insidious,
because men refuse to
see or believe 1t. 1t 10 the extent to
which federal patronage influences
and controls state sentiment and
state policy. Federal patronage can
be so disposed that it determines the
fate ofparties. When there is any
thing like an even balance between
parties, federal patronage comes in
and determines the matter. 1t is
often the balance of power in close
states where this lower is used to
direct or control state legislation or
policy, aud it eau be but bad. Where 1t
is used only to determine the ques-
ton between democrat aud republic
can it is bad enough, but far less de-
leterious than when it simply acts as
a centraiizing agent.
We, in Texas, remember how abso-
lutely federal patronage controlled
the state during the dark days of re-
construction. Two sets Of republican
ideas were striving for the mastery
here, and whichever had the presi-
dents ear, prevailed and gave the law
to the state. This continued uutil the
war became so bitter that the factions
turned to the task of rending each
other, and while they were so en-
gagged, the people gathered force suf-
ficient to control, without their good
offices, or either of them. In Texas
we have great number Of federal
positions, and of course tae men fill
ing them have weight and influence.
Well, indeed, will it be for
the people If these are al
ways found acting in accord
with the best interests of the state,
and not simply to oblige a personal
administration at Washington, which
may or may not be inclined to jump
with the views of Texas. Under re-
publican, rule the wranglings Of the
factions were disgraceful, were harm
full and dangerous. VIII 1t be any
better under democratic rule? We
honestly believe so. But the patience
of the people has been very severely
tried already. The patronage here
has been disposed OF; not in accord
ance with the views of the people
but by some unseen and but little
understood power at Washington,
which is seemingly acting without
any reference whatever to the under
stood or expressed wishes of the
people. Note the number OF rela-
tiyes, personal friends and strikers
of representatives in congress who |
hive positions now. The people are
in their own way upon
these matters, and somebody will be
called TO reckoning one Of these
days.
The disposal Of the federal patron
age of Texas is big matter TO place
in the hands Of one man
Or any set of men, ring, junta or COM
,ination. The people look on while
.hese things go on, aud until they I'M
matters, say but little
When, however, they do understand
y that IS up, they have a way OF their
,wn Of settling these things which is
exasperating to office
FOLDERS.
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