The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-03-28
sTAUNTcN VA.
DEFERRED M AFTER
Public Patronage.


traIion. where a change Of political con
troll Is etfp, t "a. he most trying aud diff
cult duty impo led is to adjust the appoint
ments 1 0 harmuuize with thu party IN poWe
1t is natural for the President and the
heads Of depart ments 10 desire to have
EXECUTIVE agents IN sympathy with the
political sentiments they entertain. and II
is equally certain that the selection OF
those to be entrusted with official respon-
sibility is accompanied with more or less
of embarrassment. when there are mum
bers of competentsme applying for the
same position. and equally deserving OF
recognition. 1t is reasonable to conclude
that under the circumstances attending
changes contemplated that it is sound
policy to make haste slowly" The APP
pc ltiag power as a matter OF self-pfotec.
tiun desires to become acquainted w.ea The
standing-social. mental and moral--of
these seeking preferment, and TO be as
snred from thu endorsements placed on file
that the proper person is berg selected
II is wise politics. as we'll as sagacious
p.blic policy to use discriminating precau
ton in all appointments and this must
necessarily be followed ny delays and dis
appointments. 1t is not always that the
most suitable persons are chosen. Mis-
leading statements and deceptive papers
sometimes will creep inand without coun.
ter influence and 10 way to ascertain the
real facts. mistakes are occasionally made.
Up to this time the appointments which
have been made are OF gentlemen who have
had the fierce light of public opinion to
beat upon them for years. and their abil-
tiles fully recognized and their qualifica
tons generally admitted by the people,
There has been. consequently no mistakes
as yet made. There has been Il singular
Gtness in all of the selections, and a pop
alar approval that has practically disarmed
criticism Tie Cabinet officers form q
mental. moral and political force rarely
embraced in one small body, compre
bending a range Of information and quail
iticatioEs Which it would Se difficult to
snrpass. There is robust mentaiity-a
foreeful moral tone-a distinguishing in~
diyidualty in each and all of them which
will cause them to measure not only up to
public expectation, but to the highest
ideal of official duty.
1t IS the character of the appointments
thusfar which has had the etfeetto intensi-
fy public confidence in the new administra
tion-~tD give assurance that the country
will have safe, conservative, broad and
patriotic conduct Of public affairs and all
the inter ests of the Nation, North and
South, will be properly cared for
1t is one of the penalties of the high
position of President that the worry and
opportunities of Office seekers have to be
eaaurel Every one has the right to
present his claims, and each and all OF
them may expect respectful, considerate
hearing.
But while many may be called few can
be chosen. and consequently there VIII be
in some instances bitter disappointment.
In others philosophical consideration OF
the matter will prepare them to accept
defeat calmly and quietly, and to congrat-
Gee, like any other game of chance, there
will be plenty in similar condition to con.
dole with them. 1t ought to lie borne in
mind that but one can be appointed to
each office, and when there are half doZ,
en- presenting their petitions, there will
be i've to mourn their bad luck. N impair.
TALLY and no favorable inclination Of the
appointing power could prevent this. And
SO 1t is good sense and good policy to take
the situation as it is found and make the
best of it. TO show bad temper; to give
utteranee to the plant that they have been
badly treated will not mend matters, but
be confirmation that probably it was the
best thing that could have occurred that
they were not successful.
This thing of patronage is dangerous to
the man who has it to dispense and dan
gerous to tie party WHICH happens 10
be in power. The officer is compelled
sometimes to make choice between friends
where some one or more will feel hurt.
The party has to suffer for what the agent
ia forced to do, and thus instead OF prov.
ing source of power, it often causes
weakness. dissatisfaction and antagonisn.
1t Ia commendable to desire to serve
ones country in peace or in war, and il all
would recognize the facts and the eondi-
tions 10 which we have referred, the de-
feated would show more unseliish patriot
ism probably than the favored. AT ali
events let those who profess to be lsepnb.
licans because of the principles of the
party. demonstrate the sincerity of their
convictions whether they are INVITED to
wear the official toga or to suck the thumb
of disappointment. by giving the admins
tration hearty, aggressive support and
uphoIding the hands of the officials who
have to pass through the trying ordeals
incident to change of administration.