Everybody knows how much depends upon a great man ' s secretary—
More Perhaps than on the great man himself: When, therefore, Mr. Polka Thomson was made Governor-General and Captain-General of the Brits' h Provinces in North America, " who will be his Chief Secretary ?" was a question of some importance. We understand that Mr. Thomson has selected a Mr. Murdoch for that office. Wino is Mr. Murdoch? In answer to this question, we shall mention some particulars of the gentleman's official career, that become interesting at the present moment. Mr. Murdoch was junior clerk of the fourth class in the Colo- nial Office, at the time Mr. Elliot, a clerk of the first class, went to Canada with Sir George Gipps and the other Commissioners. Mr. Elliot's place was kept open for him during his absence, and the duties were performed and salary drawn by 31r. Murdoch; winos, seniors pro- tested against his promotion over their heads. contrary to rule and to jus- tice. But they protested in vain ; fbr Mr. Murdoch is a pet of' Mr. Stephen. Mr. Elliot came home, resumed his place, and obtained a new office—that of Agent-General of Emigration. After holding both situations for some time, Mr. Elliot was obliged to relinquish his clerk- ship ; and then Mr. Stephen attempted to put Mr. 31onsloch in his place, passing over the clerks of the second and third (lasses, in direct violation of an Order of theCouncii, which declares that all vacancies shall be filled up by the senior of the next class. Lord Gleneig actually ap- pointed 31r. Ifurdoch, lout cancelled the appointment on the strong re- monstrance of the injured clerks. Mr. Stephen, however, persevered, and induced Lord Glenelg, on the eve of his quitting office, to sanction an ap- plication to the President of time Council fin• leave to appoint Mr. Mur- doch. The senior clerks found th is out, and petitioned Lord Lansdowne to suspend his decision till the new Colonial Secretary should lac installed; and when Lord Normanhy was made acquainted with the circum- stances, he very properly stopped the job. Mr. Stephen was so much offended that he " coot" the clerks, and has only lately, to answer his own purposes, outwardly made it up with them. 11e has now. however, succeeded in placing his pet—a young man of very moderate capacity, a junior clerk of time fourth class—in the office of Chief Secretary of the Governor-General of Canada, with a salary of 1,500/. a rear. Mr. Thomson, watched and reported by Mr. Stephen's proti.g;., is in a fair way of becoming Mr. Stephen's puppet.—Currespondent (!/' Colonial Gazette.
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