Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-08-06
OFFICES AND oFFICE-sEEKERs.

| -, GEORGIA, JuLT &c, 1853.
Messrs. GALES SEAroN: The opinion is generally en-
ertained that hold Office is great blessing that
commission signed by the President Of the United States
is honor enough to- compensate for any sacrifices suf
fering that may happen viii you admit voice of
ing into your columns fer the benefit Of my counrymen
Previous to the reign of President JACKSON while APP
ponments cautiously made and bestowed for me-
rit alone, there vas eelat in commission but
after the "spoils doctrine obtained when friends had
be rewarded and enemies punished in the distribution
Of Offices the previous high moral of the country
dwindled Of virtue and capacity were cast aside
and the clustering politician or the bar-room bully
made the depository of Executive confidence The evil
increased under Mr.. VAN BUREss administration, and
deeply rooted in public affairs that the death Of
his successor, the amented HARRISON, fastened by
the horde Of oceseekers who rushed upon him law
fu prizes greedy from the leng exile they had suf
fered from treasury comforts. | was Harrison man,
rendering the best service in my power for his election;
but never applied to him to. Mr. Tyler for Office.
When Mr. Polk into the Presidency Of course
disqualified for all public empoymens by the support
had given the immortal CLAY IN the contest After the
election my disability ceased and with keenappe
tte knocked at Gen. Taylors door for public crumb,
having tasted that kind Of food, but believing
be delicious
Taking early start that might be ahead Of me,
on the OF the Secre-
tary Of the Treasury certain papers
]. letter written by myself, requesting clerkshp
in which might be useful from long experience
and in the construction Of tables many Of which,
intricate and aborous, enclosed in printed slips from
the newspapers specimen. also claimed practice
in composition, SO as to prepare Official letters
. letter from gentleman who is the Governor
Of adjoining State, informing the President that
trustworthy, and would make good consular agent or
secretary Of legation
g. A letter from On Ex-Governor and Senator in Con-
gress, opposed in politics. yet cordial my cha
racter and qualities
| A. A letter from Justice Of the Supreme Court,
strongly urging my qualifications and dwelling on points
| Of character which propriety forbds to name.
| 5. A letter from Representative in Congress, who
had served the country in diplomatic station abroad
expressing his satisfaction that had consented to take
Office, and warmly soliciting the President in my behalf
G. The opinion of professor Of political economy
that was competent and faithful in arranging tables Of
finance commerce, and other statistical matter and in
illustrating any subject connected herewith.
With these testimonials felt certain Of success Did
any present better reconmerdaons2 quoth to
myself For two long tedious months ! expected by
every mail letter from the Secretary as the very man he
wanted be Of chief among the green subodnaes
No such document came then turned my batteries
L
Of all that had sent to the other Department Neher
cf these officers condcscended reply 10 ne, and with
mortified spirit brooded the "ingraitude Of re-
pubcs,n but comforted myself with the suspicion that
the Secretaries poor judges Of merit or that other
applicants had made equally good cases paper,
and that local considerations had turned the scale in
their favor Thus Knocked the door Of the Govern
ment, and thus it opened to | am
prepared to say that the grapes sour, and shall
give my reasons.
From March until October, 1s49 than Elk months,
in alternate moods Of expectation and despair in
regard to office Perhaps the Secretaries so busiy
occupied that they had not read my letters Then
certain they had examined them, as IN duty bound
awoke from my slumber from ocerevcr asked favors
from the President his Secretaries and casting myself
in another direction for employment, rejoice that
my application dsregarded And here I am at the
point desire to dwell on, in order possible to
cile others to private life the most successful and
happy.
The idea that clerkship in Of the Departments is
situation Of value 10 any sense is gross The
income will hardly pay expenses If the incumbent has
family, the house rent, furniture servant hire, market
ing and the style Of dress required 70 figure in society
aud to maintain caste at Washington, will more than
sponge up thousand twelve hundred dollars leaving
him deeply enanged 10 debt besides the risk Of being
dismissed at every change Of Administration The utmost
The do while oilpg for the Government is to feed