The Uninvited Territorial Appointment

It is a truth that many in the world are never so well employed as when attaching their signatures to a petition. Whether it be to request the city fathers to establish a dog pound or the President of the United States to appoint a Governor of a Territory, it does not matter. Nor does it concern the class of persons whether the petition is proper. It is a petition for somebody else to do something, and that is sufficient. We are moved to these remarks by circumstances regarding the Governorship of this Territory. The term of the present incumbent will shortly expire. Under the state of vassalage in which the citizens of this Territory are held, it is left to the President of the United States to say who shall in part legislate and also be our chief executive officer. It would occur to most people that the wishes of the 140,000 people over whom this appointee is to exercise official supervision should be regarded. A few days ago, the press correspondents of Washington City had selected a ruler for us and had importuned the President for his appointment. More recently, we were informed that some ladies of New York had an equally great interest in the enforcement of law and general good government of the people in this colony; they petitioned the President for the appointment of a lady as our Governor. We of this Territory have to a greater or less degree signified our wishes in this matter. If any are to be heeded, ours should come first. If not, let the President use his own judgment and we will have to stand it. But it is a little matter between him and ourselves, and one in which we strenuously protest no intervenor has a right to be heard.