The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-03-09

IHB OIUOA-SkBkkRS AND The NEW ADMIN
IsrRAroN-Never. perhaps, since the federal
union Of these States was established, haveAO
many ofice-seekers been in quest Of the spoils
which are usually divided upon o change OF
administration as there are at the present mo-
Went. During the wing regime the democrats,
with very few exceptions, have been vigorously
prescribed from every Office, and the conse-
quence is, that, having fought hard, and con-
quered splendidly, in the late campaign. they
are now making tremendous rush for the,
fruits of victory. Unfortunately, however, all
the place-hunters cannot get places, there be-
ing at least ten applicants for each Office. In
the scramble. therefore, nine out Of every ten
are doomed to disappointment.s Some Of the
wings, too, whose services cannot be very well
dispensed with, must be left in Office, and this
will further reduce the number of vacancies to
be created by the decapitating operation which
is to come off upon the advent of the new ad-
minstration.
In sheer desperation, some democrats, by
way Of taking time by the forelock," have
purchased their places from wing officials who
have vacated in their favor. This, however, is
very uncertain tenure, and may lead to
future disappointment. Others are spending
all their time and money in pursuit which
may turn out fruitless in the end, while it
leaves them penniless, and more or less damaged
in character. Aspirants to small Offices are re-
garded by the majority Of the community as be-
longing to the loafer genus and unfit for any
thing else, and defeated candidates are looked
down upon with still greater contempt.
This arises in great measure, from the
practice that has now become almost q fixed
custom, Of turning political opponents out of
Office, upon the accession to power of every new
President Of the opposite school. The result is
that very few men of character and rsspecta-
blity are willing to accept public situations on
such terms, and it is found that, as general
rule, the most worthless men become the Office
holders. Any person who can earn thousand
dollars year by an honorable vocation ought
never to change his position for an Office Of the
nominal value of two thousand dollars year.
If loss Of time is taken into account. and
loss Of money, it costs him probably his
first years salary to obtain the office ;
and when he has obtained it, he is taxed for the
support Of the party, and thus his income is still
further reduced. The consequence is. that many
of these officials cheat the public by various
frauds and impositions, in order to Indemnify
themselves for their losses. At the end of four
years perhaps, they are sent adrift upon the
world, without any calling or bueiness con-
nexions; and from the habits contracted while
in office. they are unfit to compete with the en-
ergy of private Individuals around them. and in
many instances they become lazy pothouse
loafers, and lose forever their chance in the
great race of life.
If Offices were conferred during good beha-
vior, the result would be different both to Of
fce-holders and candidates for vacancies, while
| the public service would be better attended to-
and the whole republic would feel the beneficial
influence of the change. But the great difficult
! ty is to get the two parties to agree to it. In
England party spirit is carried quite as far as
! here; but a change Of administration in Great
| Britain never involves change Of officials, ex
cept in q very few Of the higher Offices immedi
ately connected with the government. There
does not appear to be any good reason why .
similar course should not be pursued in tht
United States There can be no doubt that il
would tend to the general interests of the
country. Justice, reason. utility, every thing is
in it's favor. But according to Marcy, ito the
victors belong the spoils."