The Daily Union

Maryland Politics

To the Editors of the Union:

Gentlemen: In a letter copied into the "Union" from a Philadelphia paper, I find this sentence:

"There was now no longer any apology for keeping out Mr. Reverdy Johnson, who was accordingly provided for without hesitation on the part of the cliques, his whigery being deemed rather 'fishy,' and his views in regard to appointments altogether too moderate. The appointments in Baltimore are said to be his; and it must be admitted that they are popular, and give general satisfaction."

Whether Mr. Johnson is "fishy" or otherwise, is all the same to me, as he is destined to whirl his four years out; and this will end his political career. No "bull" that can be issued from the 'Vatican of the court-house Pope can keep his head above water beyond this. The little Pope, who is his father confessor, and who dictates all the appointments, will fall before him. At the meeting of the next legislature the city court will be abolished, and thus his clerkship and enormous fees of $15,000 a year go with it; or, in any event, the fees will be at least reduced to $3,000 a year. Both democrats and whigs are resolved upon this. The fees of the other clerk and register will also be reduced; reforms in other State offices will be made; and the office of attorney general will be reformed, so that it will come under the control of every new governor, instead of its being a life-tenancy, as now. The enormous fees here must come down to a moderate standard—say $3,000 a year.

But I am wandering from my purpose. I took pen in hand simply to say that Mr. Johnson's Baltimore appointments are not popular, and, of course, do not give "general satisfaction." Objection is not made so much to the individuals selected, with some exceptions, as to the manner of selection. They are like the handle of a jug, all on one side, while the veterans of the party are all proscribed. The appointments are no more popular than Mr. Johnson himself, who at no time could have been sustained by the people. If he had at any time been up for the votes of the people, he could not have got five hundred out of as many thousands to support him. He never was elected to any post. All his advancement has proceeded from the personal and unceasing energies of his personal friends and the whole power of the press, which they have always managed to bring into full play in his behalf, whenever he has been up for an office or appointment, not election by the people.

The whole work of the Maryland appointments, from beginning to end, has been in view of the election of Thomas G. Pratt to the United States Senate, and a Mr. Clarke—a third-rate lawyer of Washington county—the next governor of Maryland. This done, there will be no reform; and the present clerks, registers, &c., will be perpetuated in power for life! It remains to be seen whether any party can be formed or sustained that will tolerate this. I trust not. The spirit of reform is abroad in the State; and it will go on until economy in offices is established, and our oppressive taxes are essentially reduced. The party that establishes this desired result will be sustained by the people in the most signal and triumphant manner—mark it.

ONE OF THE OLD MARYLAND LINE.