The sun., 1893-07-04
Patronage and State Conventions.

We noticed the other day the charge made
by the Richmond Times that Mr.. CLEvE-
LAND intends to make Federal appoint
ments in Virginia for the purpose of in
fluencing the Democrats in their choice Of
candidates for Governor and for Senator In
Congress. The Richmond Dispatch is not
inclined to look upon Mr.. CLEVELAND with
Incorporate admiration. The Baltimore
Sun. on the other hand. has been unques-
tioning in its enthusiasm. We are there
fore surprised by a leading article on Fed
cral Patronage Factor in State Elections" b"
in which the interference Of Federal Office
holders in the Democratic conventions Of
Maryland Is taken for granted:
"As there United States Senator to bo elected
next year. there is the pretext for Sc
lscting represent tho State in the Legislature
according their preferences for Senatorial
didate another.
Nevertheless it would be a very simple and guile.
less person who should therefore suppose Fed.
sra offices and the patronage of the Federal Govern.
ment will not be an important factor. perhaps a
controlling one In State politics and elections this
year. Tho question 10 not whether IL ought to be-
whether 10 decent ana proper that the choice OF
State Legislaturs for example. should be Influenced
by prospective distribution OF Federal oces Post
massrshpS places in the Custom House. but simply
how far it will be 30 Influenced and controlled"
The Baltimore Sun goes on to say that
Mr. CLEvELAND's worst enemies have
never charged him with making use Of the
patronage at his disposal for the purpose
Of furtherlng his own interests or ambi-
tions;" and yet 1t AYERS that the promise Of
Federal appointments Is now used in Mary
land and other States as a consideration
for votes in political conventions:
..I nj therW han aRain str tn
mud where State elections about occur
promises and pledges of future Federal preferment
daily used and hawked about as inducements to
in . particular way or for particular candidates by
persons heretofore not In any way known dstin.
guished friends of Mr.. CLEVELAND. OF course It will
be said and said with truth that this 10 done
without Mr.. CLEvELAsp's authority We feel assured
that nothing could be more repugnant to Mr. CLKvK.
LANDS feelings and views than to know that political
bargains now made by politicians In Maryland
in any other STATE the subectmAtsr being sale of
and such valuable piece Of Federal patronage
return such aud such political services which
President his heads or departments appointess.
will in due time be called upon to ratify and honor
In view OF the Mugwump loves OF our
Baltimore contemporary. 1t would not be
cynical to surmise from all this squawk and
fiutter that its friends in local politics fear
defeat. and are yelling "Wolf" In conse-
quence. Can 1t be that there Is any such
general demoralizing use OF the Federal
patronage as is here described? Can it be
that the Administration and Its leading
officers 80 far forget the province OF the
Federal Government and its agents as to
seek to make or mar State and local
politics by Federal appointments or
the promise of them? II Mr.. CLEvE-
LAND has set the example by de-
claring his intention OF interfering with the
Virginia Democracy as the Richmond Times
asserts. the Federal officeholders may con-
slider themselves as encouraged and pro-
tected in the practice Of meddling improp-
erly with State politics; but In the absence
OF specific proofs 1t seems best to ascribe
most of the talk about improper interfer-
ence to tho bluff or blarney Of rival politi-
clans watching one another jealously as
the time for tho conventions approaches.
Moreover. Mugwumps like the Baltimore
Sun are inclined to deny to Federal office-
holder the ordinary rights Of citizen. and