The 'Carpet-Bag' Scramble for Political Spoils

Ever since the appointment of Judge Jones was announced, our Democratic friends have been much exercised over the important question of who should occupy the lucrative position of Clerk of the Court. The postponement of the appointment has prolonged the anxiety on this subject without in any measure allaying it, and the candidates, of whom there are many, have continued without relaxation to urge their claims before the gentleman who holds their several fates in his hands.

One rumor, however, has disquieted the candidates and their friends greatly. It is to the effect that Judge Jones will not choose the Clerk from among the many worthy aspirants in the Territory, but that he will look to his former home to furnish a Democrat capable of performing the duties which so many of the Democrats in the Territory would be pleased to undertake. This rumor comes as a damper upon the enthusiasm of the local Democrats, and it is not surprising that they should receive it with a combination of emotions in which suspicion and disgust are to be found in about an equal degree.

The Democratic party at its last National Convention pledged itself to relieve the Territories of the 'carpet-bag' governments with which they have been cursed for so many years. How well that pledge has been fulfilled the presence of Judges Jones and Allyn in our midst, the presence of Governor Stevenson in Idaho, the presence of Governor Leslie in Montana, the presence of Governor Church in Dakota, and the presence of Governor Moonlight in Wyoming sufficiently attest. The pledge has been disregarded and violated in the most open and shameless manner. The man who was raised to the Presidency by the Democracy has apparently taken pride in showing his contempt of and disregard for this plank in the platform upon which he posed as a candidate.